Rubberwood & Black Walnut Checkerboard Coaster & Pot Mat

Checkerboard coaster and pot mat — alternating light and dark squares assembled from rubberwood and black walnut into a 10 × 10 × 1.3cm block. The light squares are natural rubberwood (Janka ~960), a pale cream to light tan hardwood with fine, even grain. The dark squares are black walnut (Janka ~1,010), naturally chocolate-brown with straight grain and a density that gives each square noticeable heft. The checkerboard contrast comes entirely from the natural color difference between the two species — no stain, no paint, no carbonization.

The assembled checkerboard block is laser-cut to final dimensions and sanded smooth on both faces. Walnut squares bring a darker, richer presence than rubberwood, with subtle grain lines visible up close that distinguish them from dyed or painted alternatives. Rubberwood's even density and pale color make it a stable, predictable partner: it machines cleanly, sands to a smooth finish, and won't warp or cup with changes in humidity. Both species are medium-density hardwoods with similar expansion rates, so the joints between squares stay tight through seasonal humidity shifts.

Doubles as a coaster and a trivet. At 1.3cm thick, the thermal mass insulates a table from a hot teapot, casserole, or saucepan. Edges are squared and clean; the surface is flat with no grooves — an uninterrupted checkerboard. Custom dimensions, wood ratios, and logo printing (screen print or laser engraving) available for bulk orders. MOQ 200 sets per design.