AmishShowroom
Cherry Wood Characteristics
Amish Showroom uses 2 grades of solid cherry wood for building. Our highest grade
number is FAS Select. This is a grading term used by the National Lumber Association
for the highest grade lumber that can be cut. Unless other noted, this is the lumber you
will get. Cherry Wood often comes with up to 10% “Sapwood”. This is a national
average that is used in all lumber grading. Upon ordering, the client understands that
each piece of wood is unique. If you are concerned about the final product, we suggest
you purchase an in-stock item.
The picture at the left shows the “Sapwood” and how it will NOT take on stain when
using natural or light stain cherry.
“Rustic Cherry” – the term rustic is not a grading term, but an easier way to explain to
clients that boards have more character. The National Lumber Association considers
boards #2 and #3 common to fit this category. Rustic lumber can contain any amount
of the following: check marks, honeycomb, twist, wane, color variation, knots OR
worm holes and we consider none of these to be defective. When the Amish use a
rustic grade of lumber, they are truly making a “work of art” using their best design
judgment. Please note… we do not use rustic wood with any knot holes on table
tops. If we use knots on chair seats, they will be filled in with a black epoxy, so your
clothes do not snag on them. Any questions, please ask your sales associate.
Cherry also has very thin “black” colored lines in the wood. This is natural, but some
mistake them for “cracks” because they are slightly indented in the wood grain.
Because cherry is a smooth grained wood and the black is “indented”, the clear coat will
not fill up the void area. This leaves what appears to be a small crack. This is natural
and AmishShowroom will not replace or repair any furniture with this. See picture
detail.
Natural Cherry and light stained cherry will darken in the sunlight over a 6 to 12 month
period. Natural cherry starts out “Pink” and then the sun turns it a beautiful reddish
color. DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS SIT ON THE TABLE FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF
TIME. By covering part of the table and leaving the other exposed, the wood will not
color at the same rate. Think of it like getting a suntan.