Redwood Bartop Project:
Special projects such as redwood burl bar tops are something we get to work on every day here at Redwood Burl Inc. But then again, every project is special to us. We work with clients all over the country on a daily basis. We make custom modifications to most customers’ orders before they ship. This is the reason we usually require at least two to three weeks of lead time. Although some large custom orders take longer, we work as quickly as we can. In addition to filling customer orders, we also have to be taking in the salvaged wood and processing it before we can sell it.
Stepping You Through a Special Order
Today, we are going to take you through a typical redwood burl bar special order. This bar top project is a great example since I have pictures to show you all the different stages of the project. We had a client who wanted to build a sports bar. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just pick up the phone, order it, and have it delivered pre-sanded and ready to install? When you work with us, it really is that easy. We follow the same process with rustic dining table and conference table orders as well.
The First Step
For this redwood burl bar order we were given the specifics, drawings included. The first step is to find suitable material. This can be done in a couple of different ways. You can find the exact piece you want on our website, or I can have my yard find suitable material not listed on the site for you. The latter is usually what happens since the options are practically endless. It also enables us to not only find the perfect piece for you but also stay within your budget. Since the price will vary according to the grade of burl in the wood as well as the size, by knowing your budget we can make recommendations accordingly.
Selecting The Slabs
These are the slabs that were selected for this particular project:
Working from the plans in hand, we were able to get the bar top custom cut and sized. We then hand-carved the edges and pre-sanded them. Again, we sent pictures for the client’s approval before shipping:
After getting the customer’s approval, we packed and shipped the shaped pieces to the client, ready for installation upon arrival. This is what the bar top looked like once it was installed.
Bar Top Finishing
Once the redwood bar top was installed, all that was left is to apply a finish. Please take into consideration that a bar needs a really durable finish. I personally would get the best wood I could afford, and put the hardest finish possible on it. I would use Envirotex Lite, which is a “pour-on” high gloss finish. Envirotex Lite is a water-clear reactive polymer compound. It cures to a thick, glossy coating in about 8 hours at 70°F, and reaches full strength and toughness in about 48 hours.
This durable, resilient material requires no polishing to produce a high gloss. One coat is all that is usually required for a deep attractive finish, however, two or more coats may be applied one over the other by simply wiping the surface with a clean cloth and alcohol prior to re-coating. You can find out more about this product here http://eti-usa.com/envirotex-lite/ .
Other Finishes
There are, of course, a variety of other finishes available, such as polyurethanes, or conversion varnishes. These are usually two-part mixtures that are applied using an HVLP spray. These will both provide adequate protection for a wet surface such as a bar environment. Oil and stains alone would not be suitable over time, as you would not be protected from spots and stains and the like.
So if you are planning a sports bar in your near future or any other type of wood project, please be sure to contact us first. Let us do the dirty work for you, then all you have to do is install and finish it.
