Cosmetic Standards

At Renaissance Wood & Timber, we take pride in every handcrafted piece we create. Each table, beam, mantel, and furniture piece is built and professionally finished by our team using authentic solid wood and time-honored craftsmanship.

Because our products are handcrafted and hand-finished, natural variations and imperfections should be expected—and appreciated. Just as no two trees are alike, no two pieces of furniture or timber will ever be exactly the same. These natural characteristics are what give solid wood its warmth, authenticity, and one-of-a-kind character.

Please review the information below regarding the natural variations and cosmetic standards of handcrafted wood products.

NOTE: By placing an order with Renaissance Wood & Timber, you acknowledge and agree to these cosmetic standards.

WOOD & FINISH VARIATIONS

Every piece of wood carries its own unique grain pattern, texture, knots, and natural color variation. Because of this, stain and finish colors may vary slightly from previous projects or inspiration photos. Wood naturally absorbs stain differently from board to board, and these differences are part of what makes handcrafted furniture and timber products unique.

We will always use the stain or paint color selected for your project, but exact color matching cannot be guaranteed.

CUSTOM STAIN MATCHING

We do not match stain colors directly from photos. For custom stain requests, customers must provide the specific stain color and desired wood species. Different wood species accept stain differently, and variations in grain and texture will naturally affect the final appearance.

While we will carefully follow your requested specifications, handcrafted wood products will always have slight variations that cannot be completely controlled or replicated.

TEXTURE, SANDING & FINISH CHARACTER

The texture and sanding level of wood significantly impacts the final appearance of stain and finish colors.

Finely sanded surfaces typically produce a cleaner, lighter finish because the wood pores are more closed. More heavily textured or distressed surfaces absorb stain deeper, resulting in a richer, darker appearance.

For this reason, the same stain color may appear different depending on the texture and finish style selected for your project.

RECLAIMED WOOD PRODUCTS

Due to the nature of reclaimed barn timbers, condition of timbers at delivery, and unforeseeable circumstances YOUR FINAL INVOICE MAY REFLECT A CHANGE IN PRICE DUE TO BOARD FOOTAGE NEEDED TO ACCOMODATE FOR THE LENGTHS REQUIRED.

• General- Reclaimed lumber is a natural product. Therefore, variations between provided samples and the final product may occur. Any variation or ‘defect’ is acceptable with reclaimed lumber if the product is ‘structurally sound’. Examples of variations and defects include but are not limited to: mineral staining, tool marks, weathering, discoloration, rough-sawn, cracking, mixed grain patterns, wane, nail holes, and un-squareness. These imperfections should be expected as part of the character and beauty of reclaimed wood. All timbers have open mortise pockets and/or cut-off tenons in the mortise, along with peg holes/ pegs. RWT makes no representation about likely yield percentages or waste factors for use/application. It is the customer’s responsibility to verify the suitability of reclaimed wood and to determine the appropriate quality and quantity to account for yield/waste issues stemming from the variation in board length and width.

• Species- Due to the age and source of the timbers RWT cannot guarantee the species of any wood we offer for sale. We do our best to give you an educated guess, however this does not guarantee the species of each piece of wood.

• Structural Suitability- All of RWT decorative and reclaimed products have not been certified as structurally sound by a certified grader. RWT makes no warranties or representations relative to the fitness of its products for a particular use or in a particular location. Customer takes responsibility to determine appropriate use of reclaimed timbers.

• Nails, Paint, Insects- RWT does not represent its products to be free of metal, paint (including lead-based paint), and insects. Even when RWT attempts to remove metal, the customer is responsible for verifying that the material is fit for sawing or other processing. RWT examines each piece of wood to the best of its ability for insects and fungus. If RWT identifies issues, the wood is discarded/ not sold. Reclaimed wood sold by RWT is not guaranteed against insects or fungi. RWT accepts no liability or responsibility for mold/fungus issues which arise after your receipt of wood products. Prior to production and at the customer’s request, RWT may apply borate in an attempt to reduce the potential for insect issues. These services do not create a guarantee or warranty that the material is or will be completely insect free.

Customers seeking perfectly flat or machine-manufactured surfaces may want to consider smoother finish options.

NATURAL WOOD MOVEMENT

Solid wood naturally expands and contracts with seasonal temperature and humidity changes. This movement may result in slight gaps, checks, cracks, or movement in breadboard ends and other solid wood components over time. These characteristics are normal and do not affect the structural integrity of the product.

Certain wood species, including pecan, are especially prone to natural movement and splitting due to the nature of the material itself.

DIMENSIONS & HANDCRAFTED VARIATIONS

Because every piece is built by hand, slight variations in dimensions, texture, finish, and overall appearance should be expected. Minor differences in measurements, joinery, distressing, grain patterns, and finish details are a natural part of handcrafted woodworking. RWT considers a 1" variation to be considered acceptable when working with natural woods, especially reclaimed materials. 

No two pieces will ever be identical.

EVERYDAY USE & WEAR

Our furniture and timber products are built to be lived with and enjoyed for years to come. While we use durable professional-grade finishes, normal everyday use will naturally result in light wear such as micro-scratches, small dents, and patina development over time.

These signs of use are considered normal wear and contribute to the character and story of solid wood furniture.

LEAD TIMES

Estimated lead times are provided as a general guideline and are subject to change based on production schedules, material availability, and the custom nature of our work. While we always strive to complete projects as quickly as possible, delays can occasionally occur in order to maintain the quality standards our customers expect.

Because each piece is built by hand, specific delivery dates cannot be guaranteed. Please keep this in mind when ordering for holidays, events, or special occasions.