Finish
Natural wood. Thoughtful finishes. Built to last.
At True North Woodwork Co., we believe a solid wood table should still look and feel like wood.
That's why our standard finish is a premium hardwax oil. Rather than building a thick film over the surface, hardwax oil bonds with the upper fibers of the wood, preserving the natural look, texture, and feel of the material.
The result is a low-sheen, matte finish that lets the character of the wood take center stage.
You see the grain.
You feel the grain.
You experience the wood—not a layer of plastic over it.
WHY HARDWAX OIL?
A Natural Matte Finish
We love the understated appearance of a matte finish.
Unlike higher-sheen traditional finishes that can reflect a lot of light across the surface, a matte finish keeps reflections to a minimum. This allows your eye to focus on the natural grain, color variation, figure, and character of the wood.
The result is a finish that feels natural, warm, and modern without looking overly glossy.
Natural Look & Feel
Hardwax oil doesn't create the same thick film associated with traditional polyurethane or varnish finishes.
Instead, it bonds with the upper fibers of the wood while maintaining the natural texture of the surface.
The wood remains the feature.
Durable Protection
A quality hardwax oil provides protection against the everyday wear a dining table experiences while maintaining its natural appearance.
The hardwax oil system we currently use is also designed for hardwood flooring applications, where finished surfaces are exposed to regular foot traffic, abrasion, dirt, and repeated cleaning.
While a dining table and a floor experience different types of wear, we like knowing that the same finishing technology is designed for one of the more demanding residential wood surfaces.
It is also easier to maintain and, when appropriate, can allow localized repairs rather than automatically requiring the entire tabletop to be stripped and refinished.
In other words: this isn't a finish designed just to make a piece of furniture look good on delivery day. It's designed to protect wood that gets used.
0% VOC
The hardwax oil system we currently use contains 0% VOC and is formulated without added water or solvents.
VOC stands for volatile organic compounds—chemicals that can evaporate into the air from certain coatings and finishing products.
For furniture used inside your home, we appreciate being able to offer a finish with 0% VOC content while still providing the natural appearance and protection we're looking for.
Color & Protection
Hardwax oil can provide color and protection in a single finishing system, giving us the ability to highlight the natural character of the wood or shift its color to better complement your home.
Not every wood needs color, though.
Some species look their best with a natural finish that simply enhances what is already there.
WANT TO KNOW HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR TABLE?
We've created a simple care guide covering everyday cleaning, spills, heat protection, maintenance, and recommended products.