Environment and Safety.

We get many questions about our timbers - their source and their safety.

First, we do not use creosoted ties. We use only new ties that have not yet been treated in any way. These timbers were "culled" as seconds, marked and destined for the furnace before we intercepted them from that fate. We stain some ties to give them color, and we seal all of the ties with finishes just like you would find on hardwood floors or a piece of fine furniture.

These ties were singled out because of excessive knots, splits, warps or other imperfections. While those features make those ties less than ideal for running 180,000 pound rail cars over them, they add great character to our pieces.

You may share our sentiment - it bothers us that a tree gets cut down and then not used for its intended purpose. But we're proud that these timbers will have a more elegant and longer life sheltered from the elements in the safety of our patron's homes and offices.