Materials Library

Materials are the foundation of everything we build. SENTIENT works primarily with American hardwoods sourced from regional mills and offers specialty species, reclaimed wood, and a full range of finishes.

Our Material Principles

We design around the wood’s natural character, especially in live edge work.
We prioritize stability and longevity: slabs are air-dried up to 18 months, then kiln-dried for a final three months before fabrication.
We recommend finishes based on how the piece will be used and maintained, with hardwax oil as our most common option for live edge pieces.

Wood Species

We work with American hardwoods, specialty figure woods, reclaimed lumber, tropical species, and engineered wood products. View the full wood species guide.

Domestic Hardwoods

American Black Walnut

White Oak

Soft Maple

Hard Maple

Red Oak

Cherry

Black Locust

Hickory

Beech

Birch

Ash wood grain swatch showing natural color and texture - SENTIENT Materials

Ash

Specialty Figure & Reclaimed

Spalted Maple

Ambrosia Maple

Claro Walnut

Reclaimed Oak

Tropical & Imported

Teak

Ipe wood grain swatch showing natural color and texture - SENTIENT Materials

Ipe

Garapa

Parota

Tigerwood

Redwood

Wood Finishes & Stains

Finishes protect the surface, create appearance, and affect how furniture ages. View the full finishes guide.

Wood Finishes

Resin and Epoxy Fills

Stained

Charred

Bleach and Whitewash

Distressed Techniques

Metal & Metal Finishes

Our in-house metal shop fabricates custom bases, legs, frames, and accent details in steel, brass, and specialty finishes. View the full metal finishes guide.

Metal Finishes

Bare Steel

Blackened Steel

Weathered Steel

Polished Steel

Bare Brass

Brushed Brass

Polished Brass

Gold Leaf

Silver Leaf

Copper Leaf

Other Materials

Beyond wood and metal, we integrate glass, concrete, and resin into designs that call for mixed-material compositions.

Glass, Concrete & Resin

Glass

Concrete

Stone

Custom Texture

Engineered Woods

MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard)

MDF is an engineered panel made from wood fibers bonded with synthetic resin under heat…

HDF (High-Density Fiberboard)

HDF is a denser, harder version of MDF, pressed under greater force to produce thinner…

OSB (Oriented Strand Board)

OSB is a structural engineered panel made from wood strands arranged in cross-oriented…

LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)

LVL is a structural engineered wood product made from thin veneers laminated together…

CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber)

CLT is a mass timber panel system made from layers of solid lumber glued together at…

Composite Lumber (Polywood)

Composite lumber is made from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic,…

More Wood Finishes

Hardwax Oil

Hardwax oil is SENTIENT’s most common finish for live edge furniture.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane builds a tough, abrasion-resistant surface film that guards against daily…

Water-Based Finishes

Water-based finishes form a clear, durable protective film with minimal color shift,…

Lacquer

Lacquer dries fast and cures to a hard, polished surface with crisp visual clarity that…

Shellac

Shellac is a natural resin finish with centuries of use in fine woodworking.

Grain Fillers

Grain fillers fill the open pores in ring-porous hardwoods like oak and ash, creating…

Gloss Levels

Sheen is one of the most visible design choices in any finished piece of furniture.

Related Resources

Care and Maintenance FAQ

How to protect, clean, and maintain your SENTIENT furniture.

Materials and Wood FAQ

Wood species, sourcing, live edge selection, and sustainability.

Custom Furniture

Bespoke design and fabrication for hospitality, commercial, and residential projects.

Live Edge Furniture

Tables and surfaces that preserve the natural contour of the tree.

Need Help Choosing Materials?

Tell us about your project and we will recommend the right species and finish.

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