Wood Furniture and Patio
Wood
has a huge following. Many people know and understand the value of high
quality wood work. Humans have been working with wood since the dawn
of time. Today wood is valued for its durability and natural appeal.
Wooden furniture is prized and can be passed on from generation to generation.
Wood can be hardwood, softwood, or man-made (engineered) wood. Hardwood
comes from flowering trees or trees that lose their leaves in the fall.
The wood is very hard, dense, and heavy. Good examples are oak, teak,
walnut, and cherry. Hardwood is usually more expensive.
Softwood comes from coniferous trees (trees that have cones and needles.)
Pine and redwood are the most common kind of softwood. Softwood pieces
can still be quality but are more prone to scratches and dents.
Man-made wood is usually plywood or pressed wood. Despite the flimsy
sounding name this engineered wood can be quite strong and with a quality
veneer can be just as valuable.
When selecting wooden furniture there are certain traits to look for.
First, note whether the piece is solid, bonded, or veneered. Veneered
pieces can still be high quality. Shake or wiggle a piece, there should
be no squeaking or twisting and it should be even with the floor.
Mortise and tenon joints and dovetail joints are the oldest way of putting
furniture together. These joints are very strong and look the best.
Alternately screws and dowels can be used but never buy a piece that
has been stapled. Glue should not be visible. Corner blocks underneath
and inside the piece are not visible and add extra stability.
The finish on a piece is an important determiner of the life length
the furniture will have. A good finish takes three or more steps; this
includes sanding, staining, and finishing. The sanding should be smooth
to the touch with no rough spots. The sanding should always be with
the grain and not across it. Sanding across the grain causes scratches
and the stain will not saturate properly.
Staining enhances the beauty of the wood and adds color. Make sure the
stain is even not blotchy, with no dark spots. A stain can even make
one type of wood look like another.
Finishes can range from high gloss to matte. The finish should be smooth,
free of dust specks or bubbles. Depth in the finish is created by applying
several thin layers with light sanding in between each layer. The furniture
should be finished on all sides including the back and underneath to
prevent shrinking or swelling.
Some pieces have been purposefully distressed to create an antique look.
This is usually done by beat the piece with a chain or some other hard
object. Even though a piece is distress it should still quality construction
and be sturdy.
Wooden bedroom furniture is often in the house for many years. Head
and foot boards should be level and sturdy. While it is tempting to
buy baby or children furniture made from beautiful heavy woods, keep
in mind that the child will outgrow it very quickly. Dressers are great
because you don’t need to increase their size as often as a bed
would need to be upgraded.
Furniture in the living room needs to be extra durable because of daily
use. Legs should be even, doors should be flush, and high quality hardware
should be used. Entertainment centers need holes drilled in the back
for wires and cords. Back panels should be well-fitted and smooth along
the edges.
Furniture in the library or office looks especially luxurious when it
is made from wood. Bookshelves and shelving should have a high weight
capacity to hold many heavy books. Glides should be present in all drawers
and filing cabinets so the drawers slide out easily. A good desk will
have dust panels between drawers; this not only increases strength but
protects items from dust and debris.
In rural areas it is common to see gun racks in many homes. They have
rungs for the guns to rest on. A good gun rack will be long enough and
hold the gun snugly. They can be wall hung or free standing. It is important
the gun rack has some kind of locking mechanism to protect unwanted
use of the guns. Some racks even have a small cabinet for ammo. The
main purpose of the gun rack is to blend with the décor of the
home but provide a safe place to store the weapons, out of reach of
kids.
From wood flooring and swing sets, to wooden furniture, wood is a durable
material that adds beauty to any home. Quality wood is important, ensuring
the value of the investment. Read on for more information on purchasing
quality pieces that will last a lifetime.