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.

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