FAQ

Unlike many custom shops, we produce a lot of the material that will be used in our custom pieces. Being intimately connected to the wood slabs we have milled and dried ourselves, we have the advantage of having hundreds of options to choose from. We combine fine woodworking and custom steel fabrication to create heirloom-quality furniture that’s both modern and timeless. Our dedication to craftsmanship, local sourcing, years of experience and community involvement sets us apart.

At Where Wood Meets Steel, we specialize in handcrafted custom wood and steel furniture, including dining tables, coffee tables, desks, benches, shelving, vanities, mantels and one-of-a-kind statement pieces. Each design is tailored to your space and style, combining the natural beauty of hardwoods with the strength and elegance of steel. We design and fabricate pieces for commercial and residential projects and work with designers, architects, custom home builders, home owners, business owners and craftsmen. Check out our portfolio.

Yes! As a small shop, we do like to be prepared for your visit to be sure we can look at the inventory you are interested in and have the time to dedicate to your visit. We welcome clients to our Denver warehouse by appointment. Contact us

Yes - every custom furniture piece is designed and handcrafted in Denver, Colorado. We are proud to support American craftsmanship and local jobs.

Yes. Sustainability is core to our process. We focus on using locally sourced wood whenever possible, reclaimed materials when available, and offer durable, low-VOC finishes. Our designs are built to last for generations—not end up in a landfill.

Yes we do! Many of our repeat clients are interior designers, architects, and custom builders who we have worked with for years on residential and commercial projects. We can offer trade pricing for established clients and custom solutions for every scale.

Yes. We design and fabricate commercial furniture for restaurants, bars, offices, retail stores, lifestyle businesses and more. Our work is built to withstand high-traffic environments and tailored to your brand and layout.

Yes! We’re known for our live edge furniture and work with clients to design stunning slab tables, benches, vanities and desks that showcase the natural edge and character of the wood.

In addition to furniture, we offer custom steel fabrication, wood slab flattening, planing, and milling services. We also sell wood slabs from rough milled through finish for DIY or trade projects.

We proudly support local nonprofits and organizations by donating time, money, and resources. Our team members regularly volunteer at local non profit organizations and we believe in giving back to the communities we serve.

We consider many factors when estimating a project. Each custom piece requires a unique set of requirements from the raw materials to design, labor, finishing and assembly. We use our own wood inventory whenever possible, sourcing trees from Denver and surrounding areas of Colorado, which we mill and kiln dry. Our collection of local wood slabs includes dozens of species, sizes and figuring offering a variety of options to choose from. The species, size of the slab, and wood figuring directly influence the cost of each project. At times we may source materials to suit our clients’ specifications and have several established vendors we work with to assure quality product. Market volatility, supply, and demand are just a few factors that cause prices to fluctuate. As such, our estimates are good for three days. If more time passes between the original estimate and the deposit, we may update the estimate based on significant changes in material pricing. Custom pieces are complex and we strive for excellent attention to detail, considering not only the design specific to each piece of wood, but ensuring that the wood can move as needed over its lifetime. Labor hours are estimated by taking into account a number of factors: Design/conception Material transport Wood characteristics Milling/cutting Sanding/finish preparation Assembly Finishing Many things can influence the price of a project, including the character of the wood and whether it needs additional treatment such as resin, hand sanding, butterflies or speciality finishes. In order to lock in pricing and get started, we ask for a deposit of 50% of total project cost, (or 50%/25%/25% for larger scale projects) with the remainder due upon project completion.

While custom furniture may cost more upfront than mass-produced alternatives, our pieces offer lasting value, superior materials, and craftsmanship. You're investing in a one-of-a-kind design made to fit your specific space, not a disposable product. Consideration is taken into account for longevity and additional steps are taken to avoid common problems with cheaper pieces. For example, our frames and bases are designed to allow wood to move which helps avoid cracking or warping. We also take care in the finishing process where many mass produced pieces skip steps (sometimes not even finishing both sides of a piece which is crucial not just for looks, but also stability).

Our lead time for custom wood and metal furniture is typically 8–12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the design and current production queue. We prioritize quality craftsmanship over speed to ensure every piece meets our exacting standards. Some projects might require custom milling, a run or two through the kiln, or coordination with other vendors for materials such as glass, leather or lighting. These project schedules will be dependent on these external factors. Sometimes projects can be rushed to meet a deadline for an additional fee. To begin your project and get started, we typically ask for a material deposit (50% of total project cost) before starting the work.

Wood will dent and scratch over time, but with the proper care, will age gracefully, developing character and patina. You can generally wipe the furniture (both wood and steel parts) with a damp cloth and can use a drop of mild dish soap if needed with a microfiber cloth. Avoid cleaning products containing detergents, alcohol, ammonia or solvents or anything abrasive. Be careful when moving things across any wood surface. Dust regularly with a soft cotton or microfiber cloth. During the first year of owning your furniture, the patina of your wood furniture may change, especially if exposed to sunlight. Be sure to move display objects frequently during the first few months to ensure an even coloring. Attempt to use coasters when possible on furniture surfaces and be sure to wipe up spills and stains soon after happening.

All items made by WWMS are warrantied for one year for workmanship. We take pride in our attention to detail and craftsmanship in producing your pieces. We use wood that has been properly dried and is attached using machine bolts and threaded inserts which allow it to move. That said, wood is a natural material which is affected by climate and environment. Your piece(s) will take time to acclimate which may cause changes over time. We do not cover normal wear and tear such as scratches, dents, new or expanding cracks and lightening or darkening of finish over time. We will cover faulty metal work, finish or build issues not due to normal use.

Yes. Depending on the specific piece and touch-up/repair needed, we can offer sanding/refinishing, touch-ups, or repair services for pieces we have made that have been worn or damaged over time. We are committed to helping you maintain your investment for years to come. In some cases we might refer you to a finishing expert.

Yes—we love collaborating. Whether you have a fully fleshed out design or just an idea, our designers will work with you to create a unique piece that reflects your style and fits your space perfectly.

Our custom furniture design process starts with a consultation to understand your vision, space, and functional needs. Using our extensive portfolio or other external resources for inspiration, we work through the details of wood slab and material selection, labor, site requirements and finishes to come up with a project estimate. We then invoice for a deposit (typically 50% of the total cost) and then provide detailed material options, design sketches, and finish samples. Once approved, our skilled craftspeople build your piece from start to finish in our Denver workshop using locally sourced wood (when possible) and American made steel.

Always be sure to measure your home or office space beforehand to ensure the furniture will fit properly within the space. Things to consider for delivery are: Will the furniture fit through doors? Are there stairs, corners or other obstacles leading to the desired destination? Is there an elevator large enough to fit the piece? Are there any weight restrictions for the elevator? Are there parking constraints that may restrict delivery times? Does your building management have specific requirements for Certificates of Insurance? Reach out if you are uncertain and we can discuss possible issues and solutions.

Yes. As part of our custom design service, we provide dimensioned CAD drawings or 3D renderings so you can visualize your furniture and approve it before we begin fabrication.

Yes! We work with a variety of hardwoods including, but not limited to walnut, oak, elm, locust, maple and ash, and can provide finish samples. We also provide different steel finishes including raw, blackened, or powder-coated options. We’ll guide you through selecting the perfect materials that fit your style, function, and budget.

Definitely. We’ll work with your style preferences, existing color palette, and space dimensions to ensure your custom piece integrates seamlessly into your home or commercial setting.

We offer extensive customization—from wood species, slab selection, finishes, and edge profiles to metal base styles, powder coatings, and hardware. We’ll guide you through every detail to ensure the final piece is exactly what you envisioned.

Many clients have trees, reclaimed wood or furniture with sentimental value and we have incorporated some of this material into new custom furniture for them. While not all material is suitable for re-use, we are happy to talk through your ideas, review the material in question and integrate it if we can. If you are interested in seeing if a felled or soon-to-be-felled tree on your property can be used for furniture, take a look at our Salvage Your Tree page on our sister site, Denver Wood Slabs.

Many of our pieces are crafted from reclaimed urban trees—local hardwoods that were cut down for safety, due to age and disease, or construction. By partnering with local arborists and sawyers, we help divert usable wood from the waste stream and create beautiful, sustainable furniture with a story.

We proudly source our wood and metal locally whenever possible. Our hardwood slabs primarily come from local, urban settings or sustainable suppliers, and our steel is all American-made sourced primarily from our zip code.

We work with a variety of wood finishes including catalyzed polyurethane, plant-based, hardwax oil and more. These provide superior protection while still allowing you to see and feel the character of the wood. If you are interested in a stain, please provide a physical sample. Digital images and printed images vary widely and are not a reliable means of matching a finish.

We work with a wide range of domestic hardwoods, including black walnut, white oak, ash, elm, honey locust, russian olive and some reclaimed lumber. All of our wood is kiln-dried and carefully selected for durability, grain character, and sustainability.

Some projects may require additional installation which is billed at an hourly rate. Site visits and field measurements might be required which would also be billed hourly.

Yes. We offer white glove delivery and installation throughout the Denver metro and mountain region and can arrange shipping and freight delivery for out-of-state orders. Every piece is carefully packed and handled. Delivery cost is calculated based on distance, number of people required, site access and whether the piece needs to be assembled onsite. Please inquire about delivery estimates.

Yes. You can pick up your piece from our Denver warehouse. We have staff (and a forklift) on hand to help you load up. We recommend being prepared with moving blankets, tie-downs or anything else you need to ensure safe transit based on your piece(s) and mode of transport.

All of our furniture is professionally crated and padded to prevent damage during transit. We use trusted freight partners and can provide tracking and insurance upon request.