Matching your oak fire surround to your existing oak furniture.

Matching oak furniture is a necessary skill in ensureing that your product reaches our high quality standards.

Oak is a natural material that has been aged over a number of years and has developed in a range of different environments. Different weathering effects and environments can shape and change the character, colour and form of your oak product ensuring a unique and original product every time.

As oak is a natural material no one piece is the same as another. Colour and character can differ dramatically between boards some may appear to be light as others may appear darker. A skilled craftsman can however match oak. When constructing a product made up of more than one board matching timber must be taken into account to ensure that the colour is even and that the quality remains consistent. The character in oak can differ just as much as the colour. Some oak boards are packed full of distinctive character and unusual grain, as there are other boards that have a straight closed grain. It is customer preference as to the makeup of their product; some people prefer as much character as possible as others prefer to have a clean profiled fascia. Being able to match Timber to different preferences is an essential skill when constructing a product such as an oak fireplace.

The colour of your oak product can be manipulated by artificial finishes such as Danish oil, wax, dye and lacquer. Different finishes can drastically alter the appearance of your oak product an example of a colour change is the use of Danish Oil. When Danish oil is applied to unfinished oak the colour is changed drastically from natural beige to a tanned light brown, a desired finish among many people. Other stains such as clear wax maintain the natural colour of oak, but change the texture. When wax is applied to your oak product the surface will be gifted a smooth texture and a slight sheen, which is perfect when you are attempting to match a new product to previously unstained lacquered furniture.

Oak has never been more popular as more and more people are buying solid oak furniture from popular high street shops such as Oak Furniture Land. Naturally customers who buy cabinets, flooring, oak fireplaces and other furniture for their home would like it to match new furniture purchased, so having the skills necessary to match timber are crucial in achieving a desirable product that compliments your current décor.

Matching different qualities of timber will make a difference in the overall result. A dark piece of timber can look odd when placed next to a light piece of timber and can divert attention away from other parts of your product. The character of the grain must remain consistent throughout, when two pieces of oak are placed next to each other the unusual grain in one piece of oak will look odd next to a straight grained piece of oak, the overall result of the product may be significantly affected. Natural developments within the timber can affect the profile of the product; knots can sometimes appear in certain timbers and affect how the overall result appears. A natural knot may be a desirable feature in some products; however it can interrupt the flow of the grain and cause slight colour changes around the affected area.

When purchasing a new oak product it is always worth specifying the type of product you are looking for. Many manufactures will make your product to bespoke requirements. At Designer Fireplaces we match colour, size and character ensure a high quality standard on every product.

Designer Fireplaces manufacture a range of Oak Fire Surrounds, Oak Mantel Shelves and Mirrors and Take a look at our website and give our office a call Mick and Danny will be happy to guide you through our simple ordering process and answer any questions that you may have.