Materials & Wood Species

Materials are the foundation of everything we build. SENTIENT works primarily with American hardwoods sourced from family-owned mills in Pennsylvania, and we offer specialty species, reclaimed wood, and tropical hardwoods for outdoor use. For detailed species profiles, visit our wood species guide.

On This Page

1. What wood species does SENTIENT work with?
2. What is live edge furniture and how are slabs selected?
3. Where does SENTIENT source its wood?
4. Is SENTIENT’s wood sustainably sourced?
5. What is the difference between walnut, white oak, and maple?
6. Can I choose a specific slab for my live edge table?
7. Does SENTIENT work with reclaimed or salvaged wood?
8. What wood species are best for outdoor furniture?
9. How does SENTIENT dry and prepare wood for furniture?
10. How does solid wood change over time?
11. Can I request a specific wood grain pattern or color tone?
12. What makes American hardwood different from imported wood?

What wood species does SENTIENT work with?

SENTIENT primarily works with American hardwoods: American black walnut, white oak, red oak, hard maple, cherry, and ash. We also offer specialty figure woods including spalted maple, ambrosia maple, and claro walnut, plus reclaimed oak salvaged from historic structures. For outdoor furniture, we use teak and ipe for their natural weather resistance. Our team recommends the right species based on aesthetics, durability, and how the piece will be used. Browse all 21 species.

What is live edge furniture and how are slabs selected?

Live edge furniture preserves the natural edge of the wood slab, revealing the organic contour where bark once grew. At SENTIENT, every slab is hand-selected from regional suppliers in Pennsylvania, within 500 miles of our Brooklyn workshop. We evaluate each slab for grain character, structural integrity, edge profile, and how it will perform in its intended application. Slabs are air-dried for up to 18 months, then kiln-dried for a final three months to ensure stability before fabrication. Each piece of live edge furniture is one of a kind because no two trees grow alike.

Where does SENTIENT source its wood?

SENTIENT sources American hardwoods from family-owned lumber mills in Pennsylvania, within 500 miles of our Brooklyn workshop. These long-standing relationships give us access to select-grade lumber and wide slabs that are difficult to find through commodity channels. We prioritize regional sourcing to reduce transportation impact and support American forestry. For outdoor applications, we source teak from sustainable international plantations and ipe from managed natural forests with documented chain-of-custody.

Is SENTIENT’s wood sustainably sourced?

Yes. SENTIENT sources from sustainably managed forests and reputable regional dealers. We offer FSC-certified options for projects that require environmental documentation, and our materials are eligible for LEED and US Green Building Certification. We also believe that building furniture to last generations is inherently sustainable. Solid wood furniture can be refinished and repaired rather than replaced, keeping it out of landfills for decades or longer. Learn more about our sustainability practices.

What is the difference between walnut, white oak, and maple?

Each species has a distinct personality. American black walnut (Janka 1,010 lbf) has warm chocolate-brown heartwood with dramatic grain that deepens over decades. It is our most requested species for dining tables and live edge work. White oak (Janka 1,350 lbf) is harder and denser, with a golden tone and distinctive ray fleck pattern when quarter-sawn. Its natural tyloses make it watertight and decay-resistant. Hard maple (Janka 1,450 lbf) is the hardest of the three, with a creamy white surface and fine texture. Figured variants like birdseye and curly maple add visual drama. Compare all species.

Can I choose a specific slab for my live edge table?

Yes. SENTIENT encourages clients to participate in slab selection for live edge tables and other slab-based pieces. You can visit our Brooklyn workshop at 276 Greenpoint Avenue to see available slabs in person, or we will photograph and share options for remote clients. Each slab has unique grain patterns, edge profiles, and color variation. Choosing your slab makes the piece personal from the start and ensures the material matches your vision for the space.

Does SENTIENT work with reclaimed or salvaged wood?

Yes. SENTIENT offers reclaimed oak sourced from historic structures, including barn beams, warehouse flooring, and factory timbers that may be 100 to 200 years old. These materials carry distinctive character: nail holes, wormholes, saw marks, and weathering patterns that new wood cannot replicate. Old-growth reclaimed stock often tests harder and more dimensionally stable than modern lumber because decades of air-drying have compressed the cellular structure. Reclaimed wood is available for custom projects on request.

What wood species are best for outdoor furniture?

SENTIENT recommends teak and ipe as primary outdoor species. Teak has been the benchmark for outdoor furniture for over 2,000 years, with natural oils that resist decay, insects, and moisture. Its volumetric shrinkage of just 7.2% makes it exceptionally stable through wet-dry cycles. Ipe is even harder (Janka 3,490 lbf) and rated for 40+ years of untreated outdoor service. We also work with garapa for a golden-toned alternative and black locust as a domestic option with excellent natural decay resistance. See our outdoor furniture.

How does SENTIENT dry and prepare wood for furniture?

SENTIENT follows a deliberate, staged drying process for all slab and lumber stock. Slabs are air-dried for up to 18 months to release moisture slowly and minimize internal stress. They then go into the kiln for a final three months of controlled drying, bringing the moisture content to a stable, furniture-ready range. This patience is what prevents warping, checking, and joint failure after the piece is delivered. All lumber is acclimated in our Brooklyn workshop environment before final dimensioning and joinery.

How does solid wood change over time?

Solid wood is a natural material that responds to its environment. SENTIENT kiln-dries all lumber to stabilize moisture content, which minimizes seasonal movement. Over time, wood color evolves naturally through light exposure. Walnut darkens and develops richer chocolate tones. Cherry undergoes one of the most dramatic changes, shifting from pale pinkish-brown to a deep reddish-brown over months. Maple and ash change more subtly. This patina is part of what makes solid wood furniture an investment that improves with age.

Can I request a specific wood grain pattern or color tone?

SENTIENT accommodates grain and color preferences within the natural range of each species. For live edge pieces, we hand-select slabs based on your criteria for figure, edge character, and color. For standard furniture, we sort lumber to match your tone and grain direction preferences. Keep in mind that natural wood has inherent variation, which is part of its beauty and authenticity. We share samples or photographs so you know exactly what to expect before production begins.

What makes American hardwood different from imported wood?

American hardwoods grown in the northeastern United States benefit from slow growth in temperate forests, producing dense, tight-grained lumber with exceptional strength and workability. SENTIENT prioritizes domestic species like walnut, oak, and maple because they are structurally reliable, regionally available, and sustainably managed. Imported species have their place. We use teak and ipe for outdoor furniture because of their natural weather resistance. But for most indoor applications, domestic hardwoods sourced within 500 miles of our workshop are the right choice.