Oak: Oak furniture when new and unstained will naturally appear quite light, with a slightly yellowed hue. All woods however can have significant colour variation, from one piece to another, as with any natural product. Ash: Ash behaves in all respects nearly identically to oak, the main difference is ash has a slight narrower grain. Again, as with oak, Ash will darken over time. In all other respects Ash will behave in much the same way as oak.
How to care for wood
Solid wood furniture looks great in every room of the house, in particular the dining room where there is a real nostalgic appeal to gathering around a real wood table. Wooden furniture looks great, ages beautifully and, if you look after it, lasts forever.
Common wood types
General wood care
Finish:Unless otherwise specified, Heal's wood furniture is usually finished in a durable clear matt lacquer. This provides an easy to care for durable finish that doesn't compromise the natural beauty of the wood grain. Some of our wood furniture has an oiled finish - please see oiled wood care guide below.
Care: Solid woods, which are used in the making of Heal's furniture, may expand and shrink with differences in temperature and humidity. Take care not place your furniture next to radiators or anywhere subject to any excessive changes in temperature or moisture content. We recommend that all kitchenware and beverages should be placed on mats and any spillages should be wiped up immediately.
CleaningTo clean the wood finish, wipe with a damp cloth and buff with a dry cloth. In the event of more stubborn marks, a solution of mild detergent should be used on the cloth. Silicone based polishes should not be used on the wood as they will build up and leave a sticky residue on the surface.
Oiled wood care
Finish:Unless otherwise specified, Heal's wood furniture is usually finished in a durable clear matt lacquer. This provides an easy to care for durable finish that doesn't compromise the natural beauty of the wood grain. Some of our wood furniture has an oiled finish - please see oiled wood care guide below.
Care: Solid woods, which are used in the making of Heal's furniture, may expand and shrink with differences in temperature and humidity. Take care not place your furniture next to radiators or anywhere subject to any excessive changes in temperature or moisture content. We recommend that all kitchenware and beverages should be placed on mats and any spillages should be wiped up immediately.
CleaningTo clean the wood finish, wipe with a damp cloth and buff with a dry cloth. In the event of more stubborn marks, a solution of mild detergent should be used on the cloth. Silicone based polishes should not be used on the wood as they will build up and leave a sticky residue on the surface.
Please note
Never place hot items (e.g. casserole dishes straight from the oven, saucepans or hot chinaware such as plates or mugs) directly onto the table without using a heat resistant mat or trivet as direct heat will draw out the moisture in the wood and will leave a ring mark ingrained into the wood.
Do you have a question? Why not email our Product Advisor at productadvisor@heals.co.uk