Reclaimed wood dining tables are loved for their warmth, texture and history, and part of that charm is that the timber isn’t “perfect.” Because reclaimed boards have lived a previous life, they often show natural character such as knots, grain variation, small marks and occasional hairline splits. These details aren’t faults; they’re a sign you’re buying real wood with personality, not a factory-perfect surface.
It’s also normal for solid wood to move with the seasons. In a typical UK home, changes in humidity and heating can cause timber to expand in damp months and shrink slightly in drier months. That movement can make existing joins more visible, create fine surface cracks, or slightly change the feel of the top over time. Small splits, knots, and a bit of “undulation” in grain are usually cosmetic and expected.
What’s not normal is structural instability; for example, a table that rocks, large cracks that spread quickly, joints separating, or major warping that affects how the table sits or functions.
Caring for reclaimed wood is simple: treat it like the hardworking surface it is. Use coasters and placemats for hot dishes, wipe spills promptly with a soft damp cloth, and avoid harsh sprays or soaking the surface. Keep your table away from direct heat sources (radiators, log burners) and prolonged direct sunlight where possible, as these accelerate drying and movement. A little ongoing care helps the timber age beautifully, building patina over time, the kind that makes a reclaimed dining table feel truly at home and even better with every gathering.
Most of our reclaimed dining tables are finished with natural beeswax or a limewash treatment, because these finishes suit the character of the pine and keep the look authentic. Rather than sealing the wood under a hard, glossy layer, beeswax and limewash enhance the grain, soften colour variations and allow the table to age gracefully. They’re also straightforward to maintain: everyday marks can often be eased with gentle cleaning and, when needed, a light re-waxing or refresh coat without sanding the whole top.
If you prefer a very even, perfectly flat surface, reclaimed wood may feel different at first. By nature it can include subtle undulations, open grain, knots and small historic marks. We actually see that gentle irregularity as a strength: it hides day-to-day life brilliantly and helps the table stay looking “right” for longer, with little restoration needed. A perfectly smooth, uniform top can look pristine on day one, but it also shows every dent, chip and scratch as a clear “damage point,” which can be harder to blend and often makes the table look worn sooner. With reclaimed wood, the surface is meant to be lived with, its texture and patina make it forgiving, characterful and easier to refresh over time.