What To Expect When Buying hardwood furniture

High quality, strong and long lasting – solid wood furniture is an investment. It will age well achieving a patina of age that will appeal to everyone. Hardwood is ideal for making furniture simply because it is so long lasting. It is strong enough to create any type of furniture and be carved into ornate patterns. Solid wood mahogany furniture is becoming rare due to environmental issues.

Softwood & Hardwood

Softwood and hardwood

Solid wood furniture is made from either hardwood or softwood. Softwoods such as pine and cypress have a lighter appearance, are easier to cut and lighter to move around. Softwoods will scratch much more easily than hardwoods.

Hardwood comes from timber that has a dense, very heavy texture. Museums worldwide contain examples of hardwood furniture made hundred of years ago which was sourced from trees such as oak, sheesham and mahogany. The harder the wood, the more difficult it is to mark.

Unique Furniture

Unique furniture

No two pieces of wood are ever the same. Even wood from similar species such as oak can vary slightly in colour depending on the age of the tree, the weather conditions that it has experienced and the way it was treated at the sawmill and by the furniture manufacturers.

The size of an individual piece of wood varies considerably. Some trees are quite small, while others such as oak can grow to great heights. The older the wood, the greater the number of ring marks in the grain.

What To Expect When Buying Hardwood Furniture

Hardwood Furniture
  • Wood has natural variations in the grain depending on age and environmental conditions during its lifetime
  • Knots look attractive against the grain.
  • Medullary rays may be present. These are silvery lines or stripes, which give a distinctive appearance to oak hardwood.
  • Holes, cracks and pin marks may appear over time especially if the wood is not cared for properly
  • Solid wood will expand slightly when wet or damp, contracting in dry conditions. Consequently, most solid wood furniture contains tiny expansion gaps to allow for this expansion/contraction process.
  • Do not expect a uniform appearance

Caring For Hardwood Furniture

Caring For Hardwood Furniture
  • Regular polishing will keep wood furniture in good condition.
  • Solid wood will expand slightly when wet or damp, contracting in dry conditions. Most solid wood furniture contains tiny expansion gaps to allow for this expansion/contraction process.
  • Cracks and scratches can be treated and restored to its original sparkling form
  • Solid wood will expand slightly when wet or damp, contracting in dry conditions. Most solid wood furniture contains tiny expansion gaps to allow for this expansion/contraction process

Pro’s & cons of different furniture types

Furniture Type Solid Wood Veneered Flat Pack
Pros

Ready for immediate use
Beautiful finishes
Can be carved
Strong
Durable
Environmentally friendly and sustainable

Beautiful finishes
Uses rare and unusual woods
Sustainable
Environmentally friendly
Strong
Durable
Different thicknesses

Inexpensive
Easy to take home
Wide choice

Cons

Can be expensive
Heavy

Low quality veneers may come unglued
Cannot be carved

Has to be assembled before use
Can be difficult to assemble
May be low quality
Will not be solid wood but a mixture of materials

Is Solid Wood Sustainable?

Is Solid Wood Sustainable

Wood is a natural product. Sustainably managed forests situated worldwide are used to supply timber for furniture products. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ensures that for each tree that is cut down, another tree is planted. This now covers over 45m hectares of forests. This maintains habitats and meets the needs of local communities. Reputable furniture companies will know exactly where their furniture was sourced.

Choosing solid wood furniture is an investment that is worth making. This is quality furniture which will last a lifetime, always look good and creates the immediate impression of luxury. The stunning sheen of solid wood is incredibly beautiful, adding lustre to every room within the home. It ensures high quality, sustainable products which will look perfect in any home.