Woodworking is a creative art form that allows us to shape nature’s raw materials into beautiful and functional pieces. An incredibly distinctive material is spalted wood, which boasts intricate patterns and unique colouration resulting from natural part of the onset to decay. In this blog, we will explore what spalted wood is and the benefits of using this beautiful timber within woodworking projects. In addition, we will discuss three creative ways to incorporate its beauty into designs.
The appearance of spalted wood varies hugely across timber species.
What is spalted wood?
To put it simply, it’s timber that has undergone natural decay processes to have a new lease of life by repurposing it into stunning pieces, instead of letting it go to waste. It boasts a distinctive aesthetic appeal, with intricate patterns and natural colour variations. As a result, it adds a touch of organic beauty to any creation, from furniture to wooden accents. The most popular of all the temperate specie are Beech, Sycamore and Birch – all with a natural white sapwood and heartwood.
What are the benefits of spalted wood?
As responsible timber merchants in West Sussex, we love to share the beauty of spalted wood. It provides a sustainable and eco-friendly option for a range of industries working with wood. From interior designers to furniture makers and DIY enthusiasts.
In addition to the beauty and sustainability potential of spalted wood, it offers an opportunity for woodworkers to create truly unique and one-of-a-kind pieces, as no two sections are exactly alike. This allows for personalised and artistic expression, making each project a captivating work of art.
You may be wondering whether using wood that has started undergoing a natural decay process is safe. In which case, you may wish to read our previous blog post: Spalted Wood: Beautiful, but is it safe?
What can spalted wood be used for?
Decorative inlays and accents
Spalted wood is an ideal material for creating eye-catching decorative inlays and accents. Its unique patterns can add a touch of nature-inspired elegance to any project. Whether you’re working on a jewellery box, picture frame, or a custom furniture piece such as a table or chair set; consider incorporating spalted wood as a focal point. Its distinctive features will create a visually striking contrast and draw attention to the craftsmanship of your work.
A spalted beech table and chair set can add a touch of elegance to a rustic space.
Turned objects with character
By harnessing its natural beauty, you can fashion luxury objects such as bowls and pens. The stunning patterns and colours of spalted wood make each turned piece a one-of-a-kind work of art. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a DIY enthusiast, using spalted wood as your material will allow ultimate creative expression.
Fine natural touches in furniture
From tabletops to drawer fronts, spalted wood will add a touch of natural elegance to furniture projects. Whether you’re an advocate for contemporary or rustic designs, the inclusion of spalted wood in your furniture projects will add depth, character, and a conversation-starting element to your interior space.
Tips for working with spalted wood
While spalted wood is exceptionally beautiful, it requires careful handling due to its unique characteristics. Here are a few tips to ensure a successful woodworking experience with spalted wood:
Safety first: Wear appropriate protective gear, including goggles, a respirator, and gloves, to safeguard yourself from potential allergens and wood dust. There’s a misconception that the fungal spores are particularly dangerous to inhale. However, in reality it has a similar risk to general wood dust. Therefore, it’s best to follow your usual safety precautions when working with this wood.
Stabilisation, particularly for softer areas: Spalted wood can be more fragile than regular wood, so it’s advisable to stabilise it. We recommend using cyanoacrylate glue. It won’t show in the final product, but it’ll strengthen the wood and prevent further decay.
Preparing the surface: Prior to working with the wood, clean the surface using a soft brush or compressed air to remove loose debris. This will help you achieve a smooth and clean finish.
Careful sanding: Some areas of the wood will be significantly softer than others. During the sanding process, it’s recommended to use foam sanding pads on a drill, rather than sanding the timber while it is on a lathe.
To conclude, spalted wood allows a reduction in waste in the timber industry, while creating extraordinary pieces that encapsulate nature beautifully. From decorative accents and turned objects to stunning furniture pieces, it has the power to transform designs into inspiring works of art. Who would have thought it would result form two or more fungi competing for sugars when the right environment warm and moist conditions encourage this to happen?
If you’re interested in sourcing spalted wood for an upcoming project, please do not hesitate to contact us and one of our knowledgeable team will be in touch.
WL West & Sons Ltd is a timber merchant and sawmill business with 150 years of experience. We provide a wide range of air-dried oak and kiln-dried oak timber products and supplies. We also build and install custom projects for our customers.
As part of the West family I grew up with the timber industry around me. Leaving school I decided to get a communication engineering qualification, and joined Post Office Telephones latterly becoming BT. After 26 great years in the communications industry, I joined the family business in 2000 as General Manager.
My knowledge of timber quickly grew, and I am now Joint MD of the company, with varied responsibilities. One of my favourite being purchasing round timber both in the UK and Europe.
