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Choosing Unfinished Wood Furniture
Sam Lutz • September 16, 2014
Wood furniture isn’t as common as it once was. Whereas wood was once a standard material for furniture construction, now many pieces are made from synthetic or engineered wood materials. While furniture made from synthetic materials may be less expensive, true wood has a warmth and durability sought out by fine furniture enthusiasts.
Consumers less experienced in the selection and purchase of fine wood furniture may not know what to look for. We’ve put together this guide to give you a starting point, so you’ll know what type of furniture will suit your needs.
Factors to Consider
There are thousands of species of wood in the world. Choosing the right type of wood for your home can be daunting if you don’t know what factors to consider.
- Hardness: Some woods are harder than others. The hardness of a wood affects its durability and weight. Softer woods (such as pine) scratch more easily and show wear and tear more quickly. Harder woods (like walnut) are more durable and scratch resistant. This website sorts some of the common woods used in furniture by hardness.
- Appearance: Different species of wood come in different colors and have different grain patterns. Woods vary from light blond to nearly black, with tones of red, yellow, gray and orange in between. Many consumers pick the type of wood based in part on the color scheme in their home, and what woods will match their already existing furniture.
- Stain: Stains can be used to alter the color of a wood, but altering the color greatly beyond the natural color is not advised. The best pieces of wood furniture will often not have a stain, or will not have a stain that greatly varies from the wood’s own true hue. Some woods accept stain much more easily than others. The porousness and cut of the wood affects the way that a piece of furniture accepts stain. When purchasing naked furniture with the intent of staining, ask a professional at the store which pieces of furniture will accept stain readily.
Measuring Quality
Know the criteria for measuring quality in wood furniture before buying your own. This will help you buy the best pieces possible for your home.
- Construction: Quality wood furniture will have solid joints without staples, and no visible glue holding two joints together. Drawers in quality pieces should slide in and out easily, doors should open easily and remain flush with the furniture when closed.
- Appearance: In quality furniture, the wood grain will be somewhat visible and not cloudy or hidden by the stain. The color of the wood will be consistent, although it may vary in intensity.
- Surface: Unless the furniture is made from reclaimed or salvaged wood, the surface of the piece will not be pitted, dented or irregular. There should be no scratches in the wood.
Additional Help
True wood furniture has great value beyond the cheaply manufactured furniture that is so commonly sold in stores today. Although it may be more expensive up front, well-made and well-maintained wood furniture is a treasured asset that may be passed down for generations. Before you buy your wood furniture, do the extra research it takes to buy the best pieces possible.
There are a variety of sources on the Internet designed to help people choose the right wood furniture for their homes.
Of course, don’t hesitate to drop by Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture. We’re passionate about wood furniture and want to help you buy the best pieces for your home. We’re happy to answer all your questions, and look forward to seeing you in our store!
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