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JAC Woodwork – Cosmetic Standards

At JAC Woodwork, every piece we build is handcrafted by a one-man shop here in McAllen, Texas. I take a lot of pride in creating solid wood furniture that’s built with care, attention, and the kind of craftsmanship you only get from hands-on work.

Because each piece is made from real wood and finished by hand, natural variations and imperfections are not just expected — they’re part of what makes your furniture one-of-a-kind. No two trees are the same, and no two JAC Woodwork creations will ever be identical. That’s the beauty of custom, handmade furniture.

Before placing an order, please read through the cosmetic standards below so you know exactly what to expect.

NOTE: By placing an order with JAC Woodwork, you agree that you understand and accept the conditions listed in these cosmetic standards.

WOOD & STAIN VARIATIONS

Every board has its own grain pattern, density, and personality. Because of this, stain colors will always take slightly differently from piece to piece.
I will always use the stain color or paint you request, but I cannot guarantee an exact match to past projects or photos you’ve seen online. The wood ultimately decides how it accepts stain — that’s part of its natural character.

For this reason, I cannot redo or rework the finish strictly to achieve a perfect color match.

MATCHING STAIN COLORS

I do not match stain colors based on photos. Lighting, cameras, editing, and different wood species make photo-based matching unreliable.

If you need a very specific stain color, the only way to do this is:

  1. You supply the stain, and

  2. You specify the wood species you want it applied to.

Even then, natural variations will still occur. If the stain absorbs differently than you expected, I cannot rework the finish, as this is a normal characteristic of real wood.

SANDING, DISTRESSING & COLOR DIFFERENCES

How the wood is prepared will affect the final color:

  • Finely sanded surfaces close the wood’s pores and absorb stain lighter.

  • More distressed or rougher surfaces keep the pores more open and absorb stain darker.

If you choose a smooth, finely finished piece but are referencing photos of distressed furniture, please know the final color will look different even if the same stain is used.

BAND SAWN OAK

If you choose band sawn oak, understand that:

  • The surface will naturally have small waves and saw marks.

  • If you're wanting a perfectly smooth top, you should choose the smooth oak option instead.

  • Some areas may need to be sanded flatter to remove large waves, which means not every inch will retain saw marks.

Band sawn oak has its own rustic personality — these features are part of the style, not defects.

GENERAL VARIATIONS IN HANDCRAFTED FURNITURE

Handcrafted, solid wood furniture may naturally include:

  • Open knots

  • Wood filler in knots or cracks

  • Visible brush strokes

  • Micro-imperfections

  • Natural dents, nicks, or texture

  • Distress marks

  • Joint lines

  • Exposed screws (when part of the design)

  • Small surface cracks or splits

Because each piece is built by hand, measurements may vary up to approximately 1 inch.

If you prefer furniture with zero imperfections, identical pieces, and factory-level uniformity, handmade solid wood furniture may not be the right fit.

NATURAL MOVEMENT OF SOLID WOOD

Solid wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature.
This means:

  • Traditional board-style tops may develop slightly wider gaps over time.

  • This movement is natural, expected, and not a structural issue.

If you prefer a top without gaps, I recommend choosing a jointed (glued-up) top, which expands and contracts as one solid panel.
You may still see natural knots and organic features.

JAC Woodwork does not offer machine-perfect, manufactured surfaces — each piece is unique and made for you.

LEAD TIMES

Each order comes with an estimated lead time. Because I typically have multiple custom orders in the shop at once, lead times are always estimates, not guarantees.

Sometimes an order is completed sooner; other times, unexpected issues or wood behavior may cause delays. My priority is delivering a piece that meets quality standards — something you’ll have for years — even if that means taking a little extra time.

If you need your piece for a specific event (holiday, party, etc.), I’ll always do my best, but I cannot guarantee delivery by a certain date.