What to Look for When Buying Solid Wood Dining Table?

Buying a solid wood dining table comes down to five structural checks: whether it is genuinely solid rather than veneered, how the top is jointed, whether the fixings allow the timber to expand and contract, the quality of the leg joints, and the finish. This guide explains how to read the edge grain and underside to confirm solid construction, why alternating board direction and slotted fixings matter in centrally heated UK homes, and how to judge mortise and tenon, bolted and screwed joints. We compare oak, ash, beech, walnut, acacia and pine for hardness and behaviour, weigh oiled finishes against lacquer for repairability, and set out the practical checks worth making before you order. A short FAQ follows....