Wood & Materials Guide

What Triwud pieces are made from

Every structural piece in the Triwud range is made from solid wood — not veneered MDF, not hollow-core panels. This guide explains the five species we work with, the eight finishes we offer, and what that means for how your piece looks, feels, and ages.

Eight Finishes

A finish changes how the wood surface looks and how resistant it is to moisture, heat, and daily wear. It does not change the wood species underneath. All Triwud finishes are water-based or natural-oil-based — no solvent lacquers.

Natural Variation

Solid wood is not uniform. Grain patterns, colour tone, and figure vary between pieces from the same species and even within a single board. This is not a defect — it is the material being honest. The wood shown in product photos is representative; your piece will have its own distinct character.

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Woods

Our wood species

Finishes

Available finishes

wax

  • Clear Wax

    Clear Wax

    Family: wax

    Sheen: satin

    A traditional pure carnauba and beeswax blend applied by hand and buffed to a warm, low-sheen finish. The wax sits on the surface rather than penetrating, giving a soft, tactile feel. Re-waxing is simple and can be done at home.

    Care: Dust with a dry, soft cloth. Re-wax every 6–12 months by applying a small amount of clear carnauba wax with a cloth, leave for 10 minutes, then buff to a gentle sheen. Avoid excess water.

food_safe

  • Food-Safe Oil

    Food-Safe Oil

    Family: food_safe

    Sheen: matte

    A blend of food-grade mineral oil and beeswax, certified safe for surfaces in direct contact with food. Used on all Triwud kitchen pieces — cutting boards, serving trays, and bowls. Conditions the wood and prevents drying.

    Care: Re-apply food-safe mineral oil or beeswax monthly for best protection. Rub in with a clean cloth, leave for 30 minutes, then buff dry. Never soak in water or use in a dishwasher.

oil

  • Hardwax Oil

    Hardwax Oil

    Family: oil

    Sheen: satin

    A professional-grade blend of natural oils and hard waxes. Penetrates deeply while forming a micro-thin protective layer on the surface. Excellent water and stain resistance with an easy spot-repair — no need to re-coat the entire piece.

    Care: Clean with a hard wax oil maintenance cleaner. Buff a small amount of maintenance oil into high-wear areas once a year. Spot-repair scratches with fine sandpaper and maintenance oil — no full re-coat required.

  • Natural Oil

    Natural Oil

    Family: oil

    Sheen: matte

    A penetrating linseed and tung oil blend that feeds the wood from within. Brings out natural grain depth without building a surface film. The most natural-looking finish in the Triwud range — feels like touching bare wood.

    Care: Re-apply linseed or tung oil every 12 months using a lint-free cloth. Buff dry after 20 minutes. Wipe spills promptly with a dry cloth.

lacquer

  • Matte Lacquer

    Matte Lacquer

    Family: lacquer

    Sheen: matte

    A water-based lacquer with a flat, contemporary sheen. Provides a durable protective film that resists everyday scratches, moisture, and household spills. The grain shows clearly beneath, but the surface has a smooth, refined feel.

    Care: Wipe with a damp cloth and dry immediately. Avoid abrasive cleaners. Refresh with a light coat of matte lacquer every 3–5 years if needed.

  • Satin Lacquer

    Satin Lacquer

    Family: lacquer

    Sheen: satin

    A water-based lacquer with a soft satin sheen — the middle ground between our matte and gloss options. Gives a gentle warmth and depth to the surface while remaining highly practical and easy to maintain.

    Care: Clean with a soft, barely damp cloth. Dry immediately. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners. Touch up with light sanding and re-coat if scratches appear.

stain

  • Walnut Stain

    Walnut Stain

    Family: stain

    Sheen: satin

    A water-based walnut-tone stain followed by a protective satin lacquer topcoat. Brings lighter species — such as beech or ash — into the deep, warm brown range of natural walnut. All the beauty of walnut, the workability of beech.

    Care: Wipe with a barely damp cloth. Dry immediately. Avoid soaking or prolonged moisture. Touch up with matching stain pen if surface chips occur.

paint

  • Whitewash

    Whitewash

    Family: paint

    Sheen: matte

    A diluted white pigment applied by hand and wiped back, letting the grain read clearly through a pale, limed effect. Adds light and airiness to any room. Each piece is slightly different due to the hand-wiped technique.

    Care: Dust with a dry cloth only. If cleaning is needed, use the lightest possible damp wipe and dry immediately. Avoid all oil or wax products on this finish.

Material guide

Solid wood vs. veneer vs. plywood vs. MDF

Solid wood

Milled from a single piece of timber. Strongest, most durable, can be sanded and refinished. Natural grain variation is expected and desirable. Every Triwud structural piece is solid wood.

Veneer

Thin slice of real wood bonded to an engineered substrate. Looks like solid wood on the surface. Cannot be sanded as deeply. Triwud uses veneer only for panel faces where explicitly noted.

Plywood

Layers of wood bonded with grain alternating. Strong, stable, and resistant to warping. Triwud uses premium birch plywood for drawer boxes and internal structure.

MDF

Medium-density fibreboard: compressed wood fibres and resin. No grain, stable, smooth surface. Triwud does not use MDF for any structural or visible component.

Before you choose

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Wood & Materials Guide — Solid Wood Species and Finishes | Triwud | Triwud