STATEMENT FRENCH OAK

What Makes Our Statement French Oak the Best?

The Best Oak

​French Oak means something – it’s like Champagne. It has a distinct aura that sets it apart from the rest. When you choose a table made from French Oak, you are selecting a material that has been meticulously cared for and managed since the earliest stages of its life. This careful cultivation has led to the production of consistently high-quality oak that surpasses all others.

We exclusively use QB1 French Oak for these tops – the most desirable grade available. By choosing a Statement French Oak tabletop, you are selecting the very best for your home.

Read more about this extraordinary Oak here.

The Widest Slabs From A Single Tree

The high grading of our Statement French Oak allows us to use three wide slabs from a single tree for maximum visual impact. By utilising whole trees, we preserve the natural flow of the wood’s grain and colour across the entire tabletop, creating the trademark Abacus aesthetic. Additionally, we meticulously select the finest slabs from each tree, ensuring our tops are of unparalleled quality and visual appeal.

Our Rigorous Process

As French Oak is so strictly regulated, the seasoning process alone is extremely well-controlled and thorough, so it already has a head start on other oaks. It is air-dried for a number of years indoors and then thoroughly kiln-dried.

However, because oak takes on moisture so quickly, this process isn’t enough by itself. As such, when we get the logs, our rigorous post-seasoning process begins:

1. We select the finest pieces for the table and rough-cut the pieces to size.
2. We put the pieces in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment for five weeks.
3. We skim the surfaces of each piece.
4. We put the pieces into another temperature and humidity-controlled 5. environment for another week (even warmer and drier).
6. We handcraft the tabletop and immediately clamp it down into a custom-built frame prior to installing steel stiffeners.
7. We install our specially designed steel stiffeners.

We carry out this painstaking process to significantly minimise the risk of timber splitting. Simply put, there would be no point in using the best material in the world if we don’t allow it to go through this meticulous process. Since we’ve implemented it, the instances of splitting that we encounter are very few and far between. However, for your complete peace of mind, you’re fully covered by our Wood Movement Warranty (more on this below).

The Best Finish

Our French Oak tables come with our ultra-protective Induro Oil finish, ensuring that your table continues to look brand new with virtually no maintenance. The application of this finish is another important part of our process. The oil is heated to a certain temperature in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment. Multiple coats are then applied over a period of around two weeks.

This finish stands out for its exceptional stain resistance, effectively handling household stains. We have rigorously tested this finish against numerous challenging substances, including turmeric, wine, olive oil, and hot coffee. All of these can be easily wiped away with a damp cloth.

This is, without a doubt, the finest Oak finish we have ever encountered.

Wood Movement Warranty

Despite going to extreme lengths to avoid wood movement issues, it’s impossible to eliminate the risk of some natural movement as it acclimatises to its new home. As such, you’re fully covered by our Wood Movement Warranty:

If you have any wood movement issues within two years of owning the table (any movement will happen well within this period), we’ll bring the table back to our workshop and give it a full service, so you will get it back in brand new condition. We will also leave you with a courtesy table in the meantime. If it’s a small issue that can be rectified in situ, we’re more than happy to come and carry out the work in your home.

This warranty is in place to ensure that your table stays looking as good as the day it was delivered and lasts you a lifetime.