Are you wondering, 'what is the best wood for a dining table and chairs?' We can help you explore your options to find the best solid wood dining table for you. We offer a variety of domestic quality wood dining tables and durable dining chairs made from several wood species.
Domestic hardwood Amish dining furniture
All our wood options come from different parts of the continental United States. We do not import any materials. Buying domestic lumber supports local economies. You also won't see increased prices because of tariffs like most furniture available in the market.
Our materials, artisans, and employees are all in the United States, not bound by tariffs.
We only sell Amish solid hardwood furniture, meaning each piece is durable and beautifully made. Whichever wood you choose will become an heirloom quality piece that the next generation of your family will thank you for.
Cherry wood dining areas
Cherry wood is unique because it develops a richer color over time. It starts with a light pink-brown hue and as it absorbs sunlight and oxygen, deepens into a darker red-brown color. The oxidation process takes six months to a year to reach 80% of the color change. This is dependent on the level of exposure to light and oxygen.
It can take several years for cherry wood to reach its final deep red hue and lovely patina. We recognize it to be one of the most beautiful woods in both grain pattern and color.
Cherry wood comes from the Appalachian region of the United States. Pennsylvania and West Virginia are major suppliers of abundant and high quality cherry trees.
We offer both sap cherry and heartwood cherry lumber as wood options for dining room furniture. In general, cherry wood tends to be softer than other hardwoods, so is more vulnerable to dents or scratches. We do use durable finish on all our woods, so that helps strengthen the lumber.
Sap cherry wood is one of our less expensive options and like all the materials we use is quality solid wood. We craft pieces out of sap cherry lumber by using whiter colored wood close to the bark edge. This offers bright colors and grain variation in the solid wood. Sap wood typically has mineral streaks, burls, or gum pockets, making each piece unique in pattern.
Select cherry lumber, or heartwood, is from the center of the tree and is more uniform and reddish in color. It has less wood pattern and more consistency throughout the piece. Because it's from the center of the tree, there is generally less of it than sap wood, so it is more expensive.
Cherry wood has a rating of 950 on the Janka hardness scale. This means it takes 950 pounds of force to press a steel ball halfway into the wood. This is a low score compared to other woods we offer. However, any solid hardwood is durable and our finish adds strength.
Red and white oak table tops
We offer both red and white oak lumber options for strong and durable solid wood dining room sets. Although they are both oak, the materials vary in price, appearance, and other qualities.
Red oak has more vibrancy to it than white oak, with more pronounced grain details and reddish, generally darker hues. Because it is more commonly found than white oak and grows faster, it is one of our less expensive options. Red oak is much more porous than white oak, making it prone to water damage.
Red oak is common on the eastern side of the United States in New York, Pennsylvania, and South Atlantic states.
White oak is a bit rarer than red, and is generally more expensive. Its water resistance is so high that it is ideal for outdoor furniture. It has a more consistent, uniform grain than red oak and the color differences throughout the piece are more subtle.
White oak grows in central and eastern states, with the highest harvest volume in Kentucky.
Both types of oak are durable, but white oak is slightly stronger than red oak. White oak has a rating of 1360 on the Janka hardness scale, while red oak has a 1290 rating.
Hickory durable dining tables
Hickory is one of the hardest types of domestic wood with a Janka hardness rating of 1820. It has a reputation for being shock resistant, meaning it can handle sudden impacts without fracturing or splintering.
The grain is typically straight and sometimes wavy. Like cherry wood, the difference between using sap or heart wood is evident in the color of the piece. Sapwood tends to create a yellow-brown hue while heartwood is more reddish-brown.
Over time, hickory wood can darken to a deeper shade of brown. Like cherry wood, this is because of its level of exposure to sunlight and oxygen.
Hickory grows in the eastern and southern United States. Missouri and Appalachian states produce the most hickory trees.
Is maple the best wood to build dining tables?
Yes, we consider maple to be one of the best wood for dining table tops because of the intricate designs of the wood grain alone. It creates beautiful, unusual patterns that are best displayed on a large surface like a table top.
Maple is typically a more expensive option because it is a great combination of durability and aesthetics. The wood grain pattern can be straight or more decorative - curly, wavy, or bird's eye. This creates a pattern unique to your kitchen table.
Hard maple is also a strong wood, with a Janka hardness rating of 1450. Because of its strength, bowling alleys have historically used maple for the beginning of the lane, where the ball impacts the wood. Since maple is shock resistant enough to withstand countless bowling balls, it makes an incredibly durable table.
Most maple comes from the northeast and lake states. Michigan and New York have the highest volume of maple trees in the nation.
Is walnut a good wood for a dining table?
Yes, walnut is an excellent choice for a quality, beautiful dining set.
Walnut wood is our most expensive option. This is because walnut trees are more rare and grow slowly, but have high demand. Walnut is popular because of its beautiful, dark hue and it is moderately strong and durable. It scores 1010 on the Janka hardness scale, putting it above cherry wood, but below other lumber we offer.
A walnut dining table can have straight grain patterns, or like maple, can have wavy or curly patterns. Its natural deep brown color sets it apart from woods with a softer brown or red hue.
Central and midwest states produce the most walnut wood. Kentucky and Ohio produce much of the domestic supply of walnut lumber.
Reclaimed wood dining sets
Reclaimed wood is usually from old structures like barns. We salvage and repurpose this wood to create new pieces with history and character. This is a more environmentally friendly choice compared to other options because it doesn't require chopping down any trees.
See our Empire Reclaimed Wood Dining Table for an example of what reclaimed wood can look like. This is a unique option for dining sets because each piece has its own origin and history.
All our reclaimed woods originate in hardwood structures in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
What kind of finish do we use on these woods?
We finish our pieces with catalyzed conversion varnish. We believe this is the best wood finish for dining tables and other items. It requires little maintenance and is durable, waterproof, UV resistant and can withstand up to 180 degrees of heat. It also resists scratches, stains, and water rings, unlike alternative oil finishes.
Catalyzed conversion varnish is also more durable than water based polyurethane, a popular wood finish.
The durability of this varnish does not compromise its appearance. It enhances the natural hues of the wood and protects its color and texture over time.
To clean wood with this finish applied, we recommend using dish soap or vinegar and water. Avoid using harsh chemicals and cleaners that may damage the wood.
What size options do we offer for dining tables?
Whether you are looking for dining sets for large or small spaces, Upstate Amish Furniture Gallery can help you find what you're looking for. Many of our dining tables, like the Classic Shaker Cherry Wood Extending Dining Table, are extendable. This makes them more versatile for your space and adaptable to different guest counts.
Many of our tables have three or more size options, but if these don't work, we can work with you to find the right sized table for your space.
Come visit our store in Seneca, SC to explore your lumber options.
Seeing the different woods we offer in person is an ideal place to start deciding what you want. You can see the differences in grain pattern, texture, and color between different wood species and find what speaks to you. Come see our Amish dining room sets to find your perfect match.Â
We have various types of lumber mentioned above with unique stains and styles displayed in our store. Seeing this can help you figure out how exactly you would like to customize your dining set.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have while browsing our items.