Live Edge Furniture, Kiln Drying & Hardwood Slabs in Monroe, CT
There are three ways to work with Tougas Timberworks. You can commission a custom piece of live edge furniture. You can bring timber for professional kiln drying. Or you can buy kiln-dried hardwood slabs from current inventory. Most clients start with one and come back for the others.
Custom Live Edge Tables, Countertops & Furniture, Made in Monroe, CT
Live edge furniture is not a style. It's a decision to let the wood be what it is, natural edge, natural grain, natural character, while making it useful for how you actually live. A live edge countertop doesn't look like everything else in Fairfield County. That's the point.
Eric Tougas builds custom live edge furniture by hand in his Monroe shop. His favorite work is countertops and tables, the pieces where a single slab becomes the centerpiece of a room. You come to the shop, look at slabs in rough-cut form, and find one that feels right based on species, shape, and size. Then Eric writes an estimate based on the actual material and the actual hours your project will take. When the piece is done, he delivers it, and what you see will almost certainly be better than what you imagined when you were standing in the shop looking at raw wood.
What He Builds
- +Live edge dining tables
- +Kitchen countertops and islands, $1,000 to $8,000+ depending on size and scope
- +Bathroom countertops
- +Fireplace mantels
- +Floating shelves
- +Stair treads and beam casings
- +Coffee tables and accent furniture
Process and Terms
- +50% deposit to start, 50% on completion
- +2 to 3 week lead time on most projects
- +Delivery and installation in Fairfield County and throughout Connecticut
- +Come to the shop, look at slabs, approve an estimate before committing
What We Build
Countertops
Dining Tables
Fireplace Mantels
Floating Shelves
Stair Treads
Beam Casings
Professional Kiln Drying Service for Woodworkers & Craftsmen in Connecticut
If you're a woodworker, cabinetmaker, or craftsman who mills your own lumber, or who has access to raw timber, Eric Tougas offers professional kiln drying service out of his Monroe shop at $0.15 per board foot per day. The kiln is an iDry unit. It's been running consistently since Eric started Tougas Timberworks.
Air drying a year per inch of thickness sounds like a rule. It's more like a starting point. Depending on species, starting moisture content, stacking, and airflow, air-dried lumber in Connecticut can land anywhere from 12% to 18%+ moisture content. Furniture-grade material should be between 6% and 8%. The gap between those numbers is the gap between a piece that stays flat and one that warps, cracks, or gaps at the joints a year after installation. Air drying also does nothing for biological material in the wood. Kiln drying reaches temperatures that eliminate all of it.
Pricing and Details
- +$0.15 per board foot per day
- +Available to woodworkers, contractors, cabinetmakers, and hobbyists
- +iDry kiln, temperature and humidity controlled throughout
- +Moisture content verified before release
- +Contact to schedule drop-off and discuss volume
Kiln-Dried Hardwood Slabs for Sale in Monroe, CT
Tougas Timberworks maintains a rotating inventory of kiln-dried hardwood slabs available for purchase. The inventory changes based on what's been milled and dried. Common species in stock include black walnut, white oak, hard maple, cherry, and sycamore. Other species come through depending on what's been sourced locally.
If you're purchasing a slab to bring to another shop, or to finish yourself, the moisture content of what you're buying is the single biggest variable in how the finished piece holds up. Eric has been milling his own timber for years. He knows where it came from, how long it sat before drying, and what it was dried to. When you buy from him, you're not guessing.
Current Pricing Per Board Foot
All kiln dried, rough sawn. Stop by to look at current inventory, or call ahead to confirm specific species are in stock.
From First Call to Final Delivery, Here's What to Expect
Eric runs a simple, transparent process. There's no sales pitch. No pushy follow-up. Just a clear conversation about what you need, honest pricing, and work that speaks for itself.
Reach Out
Call, email, or fill out the quote form. Tell Eric what you're working on, a specific project, a kiln drying need, or interest in the slab inventory. He'll respond directly.
Come to the Shop
For furniture projects, the best next step is always seeing the material in person. Come to the Monroe shop, look at the slabs, find one that fits your vision. This usually takes 30 to 45 minutes and costs nothing.
Review the Estimate
Eric will write up a detailed estimate based on the specific material and scope of work. No guessing, no ballpark numbers that change later. The estimate reflects what the project actually involves.
Approve and Deposit
When you're ready to proceed, 50% down locks in your spot. If Eric is backed up, you don't have to put the deposit down until he's ready to start.
Build
Eric builds the piece by hand. Lead time is typically two to three weeks. He'll communicate any changes to timeline.
Delivery
Final payment is due at completion. Eric delivers and installs within Connecticut. What you receive will look significantly different, and better, than the rough slab you picked out at the start.
Questions About Live Edge Furniture and Kiln Drying in Monroe, CT
How much does a live edge table or countertop cost?
Countertops start around $1,000 for smaller, simpler runs. A full kitchen worth of countertops can reach $8,000 or more. Pricing depends primarily on size, not species. Eric writes detailed estimates so there are no surprises.
What's the difference between air-dried and kiln-dried wood?
Air-dried lumber reaches equilibrium with the ambient humidity in the environment it's stored in. In Connecticut, that's rarely below 12% moisture content. Furniture-grade wood should be 6 to 8%. Kiln drying gets material to that level reliably, and also eliminates any biological material in the wood. Furniture built from properly kiln-dried material stays flat and stable far longer than furniture from air-dried stock.
Do you deliver and install?
Yes. Delivery and installation is available throughout Connecticut. For larger projects, Eric is open to delivery beyond state lines.
What's your lead time for custom furniture?
Two to three weeks is typical, depending on the size and complexity of the project.
Can I bring you my own timber to have dried?
Yes. Kiln drying service is available at $0.15 per board foot per day. Contact Eric to schedule drop-off.
Do you work with interior designers or other trade professionals?
Yes. Designers and cabinetmakers are regulars. The transactions tend to be efficient and the material expectations are well-understood. If you want to establish a working relationship for ongoing material needs, reach out directly.
What areas do you serve?
Monroe, Fairfield County, and throughout Connecticut. Eric is based in Monroe, CT, and delivers within the state. Service beyond Connecticut is considered for the right projects.
A Note on Scope
Eric has tried flooring. It's a three-person job that doesn't work well as a one-man operation. He doesn't do cabinetry. He keeps his focus on the things he does best, tables, countertops, islands, mantels, and delivers them at a standard that actually holds up. If your project falls outside that scope, he'll tell you straight and point you in the right direction.
Ready to Get Started?
Tell Eric what you're working on. He'll give you a straight answer on scope, timeline, and price. No upsells, no runaround.