At Furniture From The Barn, our live edge tables celebrate the raw beauty of wood from Pennsylvania's forests, crafted with a deep commitment to sustainability and enduring craftsmanship. Every slab tells a story—not only of the tree it came from, but also of our careful process, from responsible sourcing to meticulous finishing.
We're proud to say that no tree is ever cut down solely for the purpose of making a table.
Our slabs come from trees in Pennsylvania that have fallen naturally or needed to be taken down due to safety or health reasons. This approach honors our values and America's agricultural legacy.
Our trusted sawmill partners receive these reclaimed tree trunks, slicing them into sturdy slabs—typically 2" to 2¼" thick. This thickness not only allows the incredible character of the live edge to shine but also creates a substantial, heirloom-quality piece for your home.
Before a live edge slab becomes a table in your home, it undergoes a critical process: kiln drying.
Here's why this step is essential to the quality and longevity of our furniture:
Freshly cut—or "green"—wood contains a high amount of moisture. As wood dries, it shrinks. If it isn't dried properly, this shrinkage can lead to warping, cracking, or twisting, potentially ruining a finished table over time. Kiln drying lowers the moisture content in each slab evenly, providing stability that lasts for decades.
Kiln drying effectively eradicates any insects or larvae that might be hiding in the wood, such as powder post beetles. By heating the wood's core to over 170°F for 24 hours or more, this process safeguards your home environment from unwelcome guests.
Drier wood is not only lighter but also easier to handle, sand, and finish—resulting in a smoother, more beautiful table surface.
Properly kiln-dried wood has consistent density throughout, making our tables better able to withstand changes in temperature or humidity once inside your home.
After cutting, slabs are air dried—often for a year per inch of thickness—to carefully lower moisture content to about 20% before kiln drying.
Slabs are then placed in a controlled environment where temperature, humidity, and airflow are managed. This step brings the moisture content down to an ideal 8–12%, which is perfect for furniture destined for indoor use in our region.
Once dried, each slab is meticulously selected, shaped, and finished by our skilled team to highlight unique grain patterns and the one-of-a-kind edges only nature can produce.
The result is a table that's as practical as it is beautiful—standing strong through the seasons while showcasing the stunning lines and stories of Pennsylvanian wood. When you invest in a live edge table from us, you're bringing home a piece of history, sustainability, and handcrafted excellence. Consider exploring how custom live edge tables can be tailored for different spaces, or learn about the differences kiln drying makes compared to traditional air drying for your next project.
Ready to start your own custom piece, or curious about sustainable wood sourcing? Reach out—we'd love to share more about our process and find the perfect slab for your home.
We offer two options for your tabletop:
One continuous piece of wood, chosen for its width, character, and stability.
Two consecutive boards from the same tree, joined together to create a symmetrical, mirror-image effect. We never use more than two boards for a live edge table, preserving the organic look and strength.
We partner with our trusted sawmill to check current inventory and ensure your table starts with the finest hardwoods. The species most often available include:
Your vision guides the next steps:
Width is key.
For a single slab, let us know your desired range—e.g., 42–46", with 46" as a maximum. Length is almost always customizable.
We can remove the live edge if desired, a common practice for island tops. The 2" thickness of the slab truly highlights the wood's quality
Once potential slabs are identified, here's how the process unfolds:
After you select your slab:
Most customers prefer metal bases for a modern, durable foundation. We offer a curated selection of metal base designs to fit your style.
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Your live edge table is more than furniture—it's a piece of Pennsylvania's landscape, rescued, revived, and crafted to last. Each one-of-a-kind table preserves the story of its tree, honors sustainable practices, and brings artistry and heritage into your home. Consider exploring how different base styles or finishing techniques can further personalize your live edge table. If you're curious about the process or want to see available slabs, let us know—we're always excited to help you create your custom heirloom.
