Choosing the right type of wood for your four-leg standing desk can be one of the most important decisions you can make. After all, your choice affects not only its durability and lifespan but also its appeal and how it’s going to feel under your arms. With that in mind, we’ve assembled 6 popular wood types for solid wood desks and described their key characteristics.
1. Birch
This is a popular hardwood known for its smooth grain and light color that can range anywhere from pale yellow to creamy white. Due to this, it’s a popular choice among minimalist designs.
A classic choice in Scandinavian furniture
You’ll often see it being a part of Scandinavian furniture due to how well it lends itself to customization with different finishes. The flexibility of birch, however, does not mean that the wood is any less strong, making it a go-to favorite among traditionalists and modernists alike. Its only drawback is the fact that it’s prone to moisture absorption and warping over time, and even that can be remedied with proper sealing.
Pros:
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Affordability
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Durability
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Good option for customization
Cons:
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Prone to warping in humid conditions
2. Rubberwood
One of the most eco-friendly options. Rubberwood is harvested from rubber trees after latex production. Due to its color and outward appearance, it’s easy to confuse it with maple or oak.
A budget-friendly option for the ecologically-aware
Thanks to its availability, rubberwood ticks both boxes - affordability and eco-friendliness. While it’s technically referred to as a hardwood, it tends to be quite soft in practice. Its resistance to warping makes it a sought-after option for office settings. Its only real drawback is its susceptibility to damage related to moisture and insects. However, that can be remedied with proper sealing.
Pros:
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Eco-friendliness
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Resistant against warping
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Affordability
Cons:
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Prone to insect damage
3. White/red oak
Both white and red oak tend to be popular choices among traditionalists. Not only is this type of wood durable and strong, its naturally rich and distinctive grain patterns are visually impressive as well.
A fine choice for those who want to pass down their furniture to future generations
White and red oak wood are both known to last generations. This is thanks to their superior resistance to moisture and decay.
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White oak wood is known for its closed grain structure which makes four leg standing desks made of this type of wood incredibly simple to maintain.
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Red oak wood, on the other hand, has a more open grain structure. In turn, this makes it more vulnerable to the damaging effects of moisture, however many still find it well worth it due to its impressive visuals.
Pro tip: LiftSync Shelfy is one of our highly popular standing desk products. It’s made of white oak wood, making it easy to maintain as well as incredibly tough and resilient, not to mention clean-looking thanks to its grain. It offers plenty of storage for your monitor and other office essentials thanks to its built-in extra shelf and drawer. Dimensions: 48 x 24.
Pros:
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Durable and long-lasting
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Incredibly simple to maintain
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Visually impressive
Cons:
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Red oak is more susceptible to moisture
4. Walnut
Walnut is generally regarded as a premium type of wood. You will immediately recognize it for its rich brown tones and striking grain patterns.
The go-to wood type for luxury furniture
Not only does it boast a striking appearance, it’s also known for its unquestionable durability. Unlike what is the case with lighter woods, it does not require staining to help it secure a striking appearance and longevity. Exposure to sun may cause a slight lightening, but some see this as desirable due to it enriching its natural shade. Durable as it may be, walnut requires regular maintenance to make it less susceptible to scratches.
Pros:
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Visual appearance gives a sense of luxury
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Durability
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Its grain can be enriched over time
Cons:
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Can be expensive
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Prone to scratches without proper maintenance
5. Cherry
If you’re a fan of warm, reddish-looking hues, you’ll love cherry! Apart from its visually-pleasing grain, it also tends to be quite smooth to the touch.
For traditionalists and lovers of anything antique
Over the long haul, most desks made of this type of wood tend to become darker in their appearance. But that’s exactly why traditionalists love it, and it mostly comes down to its warm-looking grain. It almost feels like cherry wood is evolving over time. Due to how easy it is to work with, it also tends to be a favorite among craftsmen. Note that, if you don’t fancy the idea of it changing color over time, you should avoid exposing it to sunlight.
Pros:
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Color tends to deepen with age
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Smooth to the touch
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Lightweight despite it strength
Cons:
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On the expensive side
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Sensitivity to sunlight
6. Cedar
A softwood revered for its resistance to insect attacks and decay. It’s not as hard compared to its alternatives, but it tends to be very natural looking.
A rustic and natural-looking option
Apart from being one of the most authentically beautiful gems of nature, it also tends to thrive in humid environments. Apart from being moisture-resistant, it also does a fantastic job at repelling pests. Due to its rustic look, it’s a common choice for outdoor furniture. It may be susceptible to dents and scratches, but on the flipside, it has quite a pleasant scent. To prolong its lifespan, regular oiling is recommended.
Pros:
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Resistant to moisture and pests
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Lightweight
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A pleasant aromatic scent
Cons:
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Prone to dents due to softness
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Not many options in terms of color variety
7. Bamboo
Bamboo has a very distinct shade that’s immediately recognizable. However, it’s appeal goes beyond mere looks - this material is also known for its strength and durability.
A rapidly-renewable eco-friendly material that’s both strong as well as aesthetically-pleasing
Our society is becoming increasingly more conscious of the fact that the quantity of materials in our existence does not come in infinite numbers - either that, or they take a considerably long time to replenish (as is the case with certain woods). This is where bamboo comes in; not only is it readily available in massive quantities, it also has the ability to regrow itself incredibly fast. And that, combined with the fact its density easily rivals the one of steel, makes it an ideal type of wood to make a desk from. Make no mistake; bamboo will withstand daily (ab)use unlike any other material out there.
Pros:
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Eco-friendly (fast regrowth)
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Strong and durable
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Modern-looking
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Lightweight
Cons:
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Prone to scratches and dents
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Susceptible to moisture (requires sealing)
Pro tip: LiftSync Quad Pro is a solid wood four-leg standing desk that is available in several different variants: bamboo, burlywood, walnut, and light woodgrain. It’s an award-winning product recognized for its industry-first quad-motor technology, absolute stability, sustainable construction, and load capacity that can handle almost anything you throw at it. Dimensions: 63 x 31.5.
A quick word on joinery methods
To get a complete picture, it’s good to be familiar with how desks are made. There are 2 popular methods to note:
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Edge-glued panels. The process involves joining together different boards of wood with adhesives. This is what helps create a smooth working surface of the desk, without compromising on the wood’s natural beauty. It’s an affordable method.
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Butcher block. This approach involves gluing together short wooden pieces with face grain exposed and gives the final product a refined, unique and textured look. These desks tend to be heavier, but the upside is that they’re also more damage-resistant.
4 maintenance tips to preserve your desk’s longevity
No matter what type of wood you end up choosing for your four-leg standing desk or traditional sitting desk, it’s a good idea to keep the following in mind to help preserve its longevity:
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Clean it regularly. No need for harsh chemicals - a regular camp cloth will do just fine.
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Protect it against moisture. Place it in a less humid environment if you want to safeguard it from warping.
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Try to prevent scratches. If you’re doing extensive or heavy-duty work, it’s that much more important to put up some padding, a coaster, or a felt protector.
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Periodically re-apply finishes. If you want to maintain the wood’s appearance and preserve its longevity, consider periodically reapplying oil or wax.
Climate suitability across U.S. regions.
As a final nugget of wisdom, we’d advise you to at least partially base your choice on the local climate. Below, you can find our recommendations:
Humid regions
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White oak
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Walnut
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Rubberwood
Dry regions
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Cedar
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Walnut
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Cherry
Cold regions
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Red oak
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Birch
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Cherry
Coastal areas
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White oak
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Cedar
Conclusion
Choosing the right type of wood for your four-leg standing desk or traditional desk stretches further than mere aesthetics - it has a profound effect on its durability and how suitable it’s going to be for your local climate. By understanding each wood’s strengths and weaknesses, you can confidently pick something that will hopefully last you a lifetime.
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