How to Choose a Wooden Altar: Size, Wood and Style
An altar stays with a family for a long time, so size, style and material deserve careful thought. This guide takes you through the steps in order, from measuring the space to checking the quality of the wood.
1. Measure the space before choosing a model
Measure the width, depth and height of the area for the altar. Leave room to light incense, clean and move around comfortably, and check doorways and stairs to make sure the altar can reach its spot. If the altar will stand against a wall, also consider the position of sockets, lights and air conditioning.
2. Choose a style that fits your home
Nhung Hai offers three kinds of altar, each suited to a different setting:
- Ancestral altar (sizes 153, 175 and 197 cm) for homes with a dedicated worship room or a spacious worship area.
- Modern apartment altar (sizes 107, 127 and 153 cm), more compact and suited to apartments and townhouses.
- Wall-mounted altar (sizes 61, 81 and 89 cm) for small spaces where a standing altar will not fit.
See the current models in the wooden altars category. The sizes above are the ones available now; if you need a different size, contact us to discuss a custom piece.
3. Understand the wood
Altars at Nhung Hai are made from solid afzelia wood (known in Vietnam as gỗ gõ đỏ). When comparing with other sellers, ask:
- Whether the altar is solid natural wood, joined wood or an engineered board with a surface veneer.
- The exact name and origin of the wood, since some trade names are used differently by different suppliers.
- Whether the wood has been dried or treated to limit warping and cracking.
No natural wood is guaranteed never to warp. Wood that is properly treated, well designed and well maintained has the best chance of lasting.
4. Special notes for wall-mounted altars
A wall-mounted altar must carry the combined weight of the altar, incense burner, ritual items and offerings. Check what the wall is made of (brick or a light partition), where you will drill and what type of bracket you will use, rather than assuming wood is always light enough to hang safely. If in doubt, have an installer assess the wall before mounting.
5. Check the quality of the work
- A flat tabletop with no sagging, cracks or open joints.
- Tight mortise-and-tenon joints and sturdy legs, including in hidden areas.
- Crisp, even carving with no unfinished chisel marks.
- An even finish. At Nhung Hai the surface is finished with matte PU or varnish, depending on your preference.
6. Plan for installation and care
Before ordering, ask about lead time, delivery, installation and warranty terms; products at Nhung Hai carry a 1-year structural warranty. Once the altar arrives, see our guides to altar placement and caring for an ancestral altar to keep the wood in good condition.
Need help choosing an altar? Contact Nhung Hai with the measurements of your space.
