Going With the Grain

EtchWood Products Provide Vintage Textures on Modern Materials

Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger
Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

There’s just something about the look of weathered wood that evokes a sense of nostalgia.

Perhaps it’s due in part to the sense of craftsmanship that goes into the creation, a skill that is equal parts artisanal and practical. The materials harvested from the surroundings of nature tell tales of their own, through every ripple and ridge branded by time. Once the wood is carefully turned and tended, the finished products reveal fresh designs destined to carry on a new kind of story.

This sentiment has found its way into the realm of construction, most significantly in the niche of woodworking.

At EtchWood, located in the rolling, rustic countryside of Shipshewana, the staff appreciates and understands this principle quite well. They have found a way to add a different and unique dimension to the trade that succeeds in keeping the integrity of wood products in focus, while also making projects come to fruition in an efficient manner.

The products distributed by EtchWood are inspired by a process of upcycling, in which reclaimed planks and pieces from antiqued beams are repurposed into something grand, stately and enduring.

Although hand-hewn beams are visually and aesthetically desirable, they are often cumbersome and exceptionally heavy to maneuver and work with. The EtchWood solution is to replicate the look and feel of authentic markings in the wood, done in a meticulously executed manner so as not to compromise the wood fibers. The dimension is literally ingrained through a specialized machine that uses heat embossing to create the finish. The result is wood with the character of intricate grooves, but with a smoother exterior and texture, using new wood products – more specifically, as the business tagline reads, “vintage textures on modern materials.” The manufacturing aspect of the EtchWood inventory comes from Valley Line Wood Products.

Customers can select from a variety of woods for their chosen project, ranging from solid woods to plywood panels, and they also have the option of polymers. At the point of consultation, they will be advised to bring in the proportions and measurements for the style of beams they are planning to incorporate into their projects, and the EtchWood team can answer their questions and adjust to the specifics. The resulting materials, from beams to wallboard, shiplap and plywood, have been used in a seemingly endless scope of home and commercial renovations. Among them are interior walls and flooring, ceiling beams, barn doors, floating shelves and furniture, to name a few.

On the company website there is a full-color gallery featuring several rooms, with a range of design from primitive to contemporary, all of which serve as a breathtaking showcase for the EtchWood line. There is also an interactive map through which prospective clients can locate the EtchWood dealership that is closest to their location, plus an online contact form to set up an appointment or request more information. Folks can also opt in to a newsletter to receive updates, news and sneak previews about new introductions, as well as decorating tips and ideas.

For more information, visit etchwood.com, call 260-768-7807, or email Al Bontrager at al@etchwood.com.