Choose Smooth if you want a flat, glassy surface that reflects light, deepens the colour of the wood and wipes clean in one pass. Choose Natural rough if you want to see and feel the grain, with a low, matte sheen that lets small marks blend into the texture. Both are sealed with polyurethane, and both work with any of our four finishes: Oak, Walnut, Brown and Black. The difference is in how the surface is prepared and how much the topcoat shows.
What each surface is
Smooth
The wood is sanded through progressively finer grits until the surface is flat and even to the touch. It is then sealed with a gloss polyurethane topcoat. Polyurethane cures into a clear film that sits on top of the wood, so spills, crumbs and fingerprints rest on the film rather than soaking in.
Natural rough
The surface is wire-brushed before finishing. Every growth ring in a tree is made of two bands: softer wood laid down quickly in spring, and denser wood laid down later in the season. A wire brush wears away more of the soft band and leaves the hard band standing, so the grain becomes a texture you can feel with your fingertips. The surface is then sealed with a single coat of matte polyurethane, which protects the wood while keeping it close to the hand.
How they look
Sheen changes colour. A gloss surface reflects more light, so the wood looks richer and slightly darker, and the figure of the grain appears to sit beneath a clear layer. A matte surface scatters light, so the colour reads softer and the wood looks closer to its raw state.
- Smooth suits pieces you want to look crisp and polished: a dining table under a pendant, a console in an entry, a desk in a study.
- Natural rough suits pieces where texture is part of the design: a live edge top, a coffee table in a room of linen and wool, open shelving.
Texture also changes how a finish reads. Brushed grain catches light and shadow, so the same colour looks less uniform on Natural rough than on Smooth, where it reads as one even tone.
How they feel
Run your hand across a Smooth top and it feels uniform and cool. Natural rough has a fine ridge-and-hollow texture. It is not coarse or splintery, because the brushed surface is sealed like any other, but it is noticeably textured.
That matters for some uses. Writing on a single sheet of paper directly on a wire-brushed desk can transfer the texture to your handwriting; a desk pad solves it. A wine glass sits steadily on both, but a Smooth surface is easier for sliding plates and laptops.
How they wear
All wood surfaces collect small marks over the years. The question is how visible they are.
- Gloss shows more. A reflective surface catches light at the edges of every fine scratch, and it shows dust and fingerprints sooner.
- Matte shows less. Low sheen and a textured surface break up reflections, so light scratches and everyday scuffs tend to disappear into the grain.
- Dents are about the wood, not the finish. A dropped pan dents the timber beneath either surface. On Natural rough the dent is simply less obvious.
If you have young children, a dog, or a table that doubles as a homework desk, Natural rough is the more forgiving choice day to day. If you prefer a surface that looks freshly finished and you are happy to use placemats and coasters, Smooth rewards the care.
How they clean
Both are cleaned the same way: a soft cloth wrung almost dry, then a dry cloth to finish. For sticky spots, add a drop of mild dish soap to the water, wipe, then dry.
- Smooth wipes clean in one pass, because there is nowhere for crumbs to settle. It is the more practical choice for a busy dining table or a bathroom vanity.
- Natural rough can hold fine crumbs or dust in the texture. Wipe with the grain, not across it, and use a soft brush on the occasional stubborn spot.
- Water on either: wipe spills promptly, especially on Natural rough, where the single matte coat is a lighter layer than a full gloss build.
Because both surfaces are sealed with polyurethane, neither needs oiling or waxing. Avoid silicone sprays, ammonia and abrasive cleaners on both.
Choosing by piece
- Dining tables: Smooth for easy cleaning and a polished look; Natural rough if you want marks to stay quiet over the years.
- Coffee tables: either. Natural rough suits relaxed living rooms and textured fabrics.
- Desks: Smooth if you write by hand often; Natural rough with a desk pad.
- Bathroom vanities: Smooth, which sheds splashes most easily.
- Shelves and bookcases: Natural rough brings out the grain at eye level, where it is seen more than touched.
- Beds: either; headboards are touched little, so choose by look.
See it before you decide
Sheen and texture are hard to judge on a screen. We can send you photos and close-up video of real samples of both surfaces, filmed in raking daylight, so you can see the difference clearly. And because every piece is made to order, we photograph it for your approval before finishing, so you can confirm the piece itself before the surface is applied.
Where a piece is offered in both surfaces, you choose on its product page, alongside the finish. Start with our dining tables or desks, or ask to see samples of both surfaces before you choose.