European table surface design

[Michael Kellough]

The last several tables I’ve seen on European websites (workbenches and dining tables) have shared a similar configuration that I hadn’t noticed before. The boards were laid across the table rather than with the length. Is this a common practice or just a coincidence while browsing?

In the US boards are almost always laid with the length. Expansion and contraction is less this way but there is less stiffness in the middle of the table, assuming aprons are adequate.

 

[Stephen B]

Climate change and the abuse of old growth forrests has led to increasing shortages of the longer and wider timber lengths provided by old growth trees.

Hence mass producers of furniture are using the shorter timber lengths provided by plantation and recycled timber resources. Even when layed lengthways you will often now find finger joints within each timber length. In Australia, more recently we are now seeing many tables like you have described that have been imported from China, India and Indonesia.

Custom and bespoke craftpersons and manufactures who can command higher prices (not necessarily profit) have some remaining ability to use the longer timber lengths provided by sustainable forrrest management.

 

[Svar]

I think its either coincidence, current fashion, or factory workflow (i.e. how they partition larger glue-ups). I have not noticed this myself. In mass produced furniture pieces are finger joiner lengthwise anyway, so resource scarcity does not dictate orientation.