Before a slab goes into a finished piece, a fabricator needs four things: exact dimensions, the moisture reading, how it was dried, and photos of both faces. Pop’s Barn puts all of it on a spec sheet for any slab you’re serious about. Here’s what’s on it and what the numbers mean.
Request a spec sheet Browse inventory
What’s on a Pop’s Barn spec sheet
| Item | What you get |
|---|---|
| Species | Common name, and figure if present (crotch, spalting, ambrosia streaking) |
| Length | Overall, end to end |
| Width | Measured at multiple points along the slab, narrowest and widest |
| Thickness | As milled, and after flattening if flattened |
| Board feet | Length × average width × thickness ÷ 144 |
| Drying status | Air-drying, in kiln, or kiln-dried — plus the month it was milled |
| Moisture reading | Metered reading on kiln-dried stock |
| Photos | Both faces, both edges, ends |
| Log / sequence | Which log it came from and its position, for matched sets |
| Defects | Checks, voids, bark inclusions, anything you should know before you cut |
Moisture content: what number you want
- Indoor furniture and millwork in heated and air-conditioned buildings generally wants wood around 6–8% moisture content.
- Air-dried slabs in the Northeast usually level off in the low-to-mid teens outdoors. Fine for rustic work, outdoor pieces or short-run installs, but too wet for a fine table going into a New York apartment.
- Thick and wide slabs hold moisture in the middle longer than the surface shows. Ask for the reading, not just the word “dry.”
More on this in air-dried vs. kiln-dried.
Flatness
Slabs come rough-sawn off the mill and move as they dry. Flattening is available here so the slab arrives flat and ready for final surfacing. Tell us your finished thickness and we’ll tell you what the slab will yield.
Questions we get
What moisture content should a live-edge slab be for a table?
For indoor furniture, around 6–8% is the usual target. Air-dried slabs typically sit higher. Pop’s Barn meters kiln-dried slabs and puts the reading on the spec sheet.
Can I get a spec sheet before I buy a slab?
Yes. Ask for any slab you’re considering and we’ll send dimensions, board feet, drying status, a moisture reading on kiln-dried stock, and photos of both faces.
How do I know a slab is really dry?
Ask for a metered moisture reading, and ask how and when it was dried. “Air-dried for a year” on a 3″ slab often isn’t dry enough for interior furniture.
Need specs on a slab? 973-524-4282 or send the listing link.
What customers say
Can't say enough good things about Pops Barn. Finding kiln-dried lumber and beautiful, large slabs can be tough, but their selection and quality are top-tier. Great people and unmatched material.