Knots, grain and colour in an oak table top: what is normal?
No two oak tops are alike. Read what is normal about knots, grain and colour variation, how knots are filled and why a colour sample tells you more than a photo.
A knot, a dark grain line or a top that is a shade different from the table in the showroom: it all belongs to solid oak, but you want to know beforehand. Knots and small cracks are filled in the workshop, in a colour that suits your stain.
Quick guide
- To see how your stain colour looks, order a colour sample and view it in your own light.
- If you want knots to stand out little, choose a light stain: it gets a light filler in the knots.
- If you want a bold, rustic top, dark knots and an open grain give the most character.
Why no two oak tops are alike
European oak has honey to golden brown tones and a pronounced open grain. Every trunk grows differently, through the soil, the climate and its place in the forest. So the figure varies from top to top, and sometimes within one top.
A photo or a showroom table shows what oak can look like, not exactly what your top will look like. Knowing that beforehand means no surprises on delivery.
Grain in oak: figure and texture
The grain is the pattern of the growth rings in the wood. In oak it is open: you see and feel the pores, even under a coat of lacquer. That gives a top depth, and it explains why oak looks livelier than a smooth, even material.
On one part of a top the grain runs in straight lines, on another it forms flames or arches. That varies, even between two tops from the same delivery. If you want a calm, even surface, ceramic suits you better than solid wood.
Knots in an oak table top
A knot is where a branch once grew out of the trunk. In a table top you see it as a dark, round or oval spot in the grain. Knots belong to solid oak, just like the grain itself.
What happens to a knot in the workshop
In the workshop in Maasbree, knots are filled with a two-component filler. That gives a smooth, closed surface where no crumbs or moisture can settle. The colour of the filler depends on the stain you choose.
Pin knots and small cracks in a knot are also filled and then sanded flat, as long as they are large enough to fill. Very fine hairline cracks are too small for that and stay visible as thin lines.
| Your choice | Filler colour |
|---|---|
| Light stain: Natural, Corn Silk, Palm Beach, Cinnamon, Barley White, Mud | Light |
| Other, darker stains | Dark |
| Black stain | Black |
| Untreated oak | Your choice: light, dark or black |
| Walnut | Always black |
With an untreated top you finish the wood yourself, so no stain decides the filler. That is why you choose the filler colour yourself in the table configurator.
How many knots are normal?
That differs per top, so there is no fixed number. One top has a few small knots, another a few larger ones. Filled knots are not damage, but an open hole, a loose knot or filler coming out is.
How to judge a knot
Run your hand over the top. If a knot feels smooth and closed, it is well filled. If you feel an edge, a hole or something loose, take a photo and get in contact.
The colour of oak: what to expect
Oak does not always stay the same colour. Over the years it takes on a slightly deeper, warmer tone, especially with light stains and untreated wood. A top laid next to a new one after five years is therefore a shade different.
Photo, screen and colour sample
A photo shows the colour in the light it was taken in, and every screen shows colours slightly differently. Warm lamplight makes oak more yellow, north light makes it cooler. So do not decide on a photo alone: look at an oak sample at home, by day and in the evening.
A sample is a small piece of wood. It shows the stain colour well, but not how many knots or which grain your top will have.
Colour difference between top, chairs and base
An oak top and an oak chair can differ slightly side by side, even in the same stain. Different wood, a different shape and different light all play a part. To see whether they go together, put them side by side in the showroom in Maasbree, Netherlands, or hold a sample next to your chair.
The showroom table and your table
A table in the showroom is one top from one trunk. Your top is made from other wood and so has its own figure. The stain colour, the finish and the size are the same, the grain and knots are not.
Picking a specific top is not possible. Sometimes you receive a photo of your top during production, but that is no longer a moment to choose another one. To see beforehand how much tops can vary, look at several tables in the same stain in the showroom.
Oak or walnut?
Walnut is a deep chocolate brown, sometimes with a purple hint, and its knots are always filled black. In long direct sunlight walnut can lighten a little. If you are torn between the two, compare oak dining tables and walnut dining tables side by side.
Choosing and caring for your oak top
An oak top is 40 mm thick and can be up to 3000 × 1200 mm. It is stained in the chosen colour and finished with two coats of clear matt lacquer, or you choose untreated and finish it yourself. Oak is not suitable for outdoor use, so an oak table belongs indoors.
See the options under oak table tops or read the guide custom oak dining table.
