Smooth, Brushed, or Resawn? Let’s Talk Texture

Choosing The Right Wood Texture For Your Project

When it comes to wood finishes, texture can make all the difference. At Muskoka Timber Mills, we offer a variety of texture options to help you dial in the perfect aesthetic for your space — whether you’re going for rustic charm, modern minimalism, or something totally unique.

Here’s a breakdown of the textures we offer and how they can impact your final look:

Smooth Face (Sanded)

A smooth face finish offers a clean, refined surface that highlights the natural beauty of the wood in its purest form. The wood is finely sanded or planed to remove any surface texture, resulting in a flat, even finish that feels soft to the touch and visually polished.

This texture is ideal for achieving a sleek, modern look or a timeless, classic aesthetic. It allows stain or clear finishes to absorb evenly and showcase the grain’s natural flow, making it a go-to choice for interior applications, minimalist designs, or projects where simplicity and elegance are key.

Whether you're after a crisp contemporary vibe or a smooth, natural backdrop that lets other design elements shine, a smooth face is the ultimate in understated sophistication.

Wire Brushed

A wire brushed texture is created by lightly distressing the wood surface with a wire brush, which removes the softer grain and leaves the harder grain raised. The result is a tactile, textured finish that enhances the wood’s natural character and adds subtle depth and dimension. It’s a popular choice for creating a slightly weathered, lived-in look without going full rustic.

We can customize the intensity of the wire brushing — from a light brush for a soft, refined texture to a deep wire brush for a more pronounced, rugged effect. This texture also interacts beautifully with stains and finishes, catching colour in the grain and creating a dynamic, two-tone look.

Perfect for interior and exterior applications where a bit of texture goes a long way.

Resawn Face

A resawn face finish delivers raw, organic character by showcasing the saw marks left behind during milling (aka an intentional rough face). The result is a textured surface with visible linear striations that bring a sense of heritage and craftsmanship to any project.

For those who love the look of authentic wood with story and soul, resawn is a go-to texture that brings warmth and rugged charm to both interiors and exteriors

 

Important Note: Beyond its distinctive rustic look, a resawn face offers some real performance benefits — which is why we recommend it for exterior applications. Because the resawn texture raises the wood fibers and opens up the surface, it allows stains, paints, and coatings to penetrate more deeply into the wood. This creates a stronger bond between the finish and the material, resulting in better coating adhesion and improved durability over time. The added texture also helps to reduce glare, minimize visible wear, and camouflage surface imperfections — all important factors for cladding, soffits, or siding that will face sun, wind, rain, and seasonal changes.

Aesthetic vs. Application

While texture is often a design choice, the application also plays a big role in what texture is best suited for your project. Some textures absorb stain differently or offer more grip and durability depending on their environment. For example, a resawn or wire brushed is much more suitable texture for exterior applications. While as a smooth face would be more suitable for interior applications. Our sales team is here to help guide you through what will work best for your space and goals.

Texture & Finish Pairings

Not only do textures change how your wood feels, but they also impact how it looks once finished. For example, a deep wire brushed face will absorb stain differently than a smooth face — giving you more contrast and depth.

  • Smooth + Clear Coat: Great for showing off the natural grain with a refined finish.

  • Wire Brushed + Stain: Enhances contrast by catching stain in the deeper grain for a dynamic, two-tone effect.

  • Resawn + Solid Colour: Perfect for rustic projects where you want texture to stand out beneath the paint.

And the list goes on! Get in contact with us to learn more about all of the awesome customization features we offer. 

Let's Bring Your Vision To Life!

We’re here to help you find the perfect balance of form and function. Our team can walk you through which textures pair best with your finish of choice and the environment the wood will live in — whether indoors, outdoors, dry, or humid. Whether you're after something sleek and subtle or bold and tactile, the right texture will elevate your project from good to great. Contact us today to speak with a sales rep and explore the full range of textures we offer.