How to Buy Wood Furnishings
When you hear salespeople refer to case goods, they're talking about chests, dressers, tables - living room and dining room pieces. Case goods is an industry term that refers to furniture thats generally constructed of wood. In actuality, todays case goods may be made totally or in part of metal, plastics or other man-made materials. Materials are, or course, a determining factor in the look of a piece and will affect durability and price.
Furniture Woods
All woods used for making furniture fall into two categories: hardwoods and softwoods, but the designation doesn't really have anything to do with how hard or how soft the wood is. Hardwood identifies the trees that lose their leaves seasonally and softwood refers to those that keep their foliage all year.
Among the hardwoods frequently used in making furniture are ash, cherry, maple, oak, pecan, teak, rosewood, walnut, mahogany and poplar. In the softwood category are cedar, cypress, fir, pine and redwood. In addition to the more familiar woods, more and more exotic species, from all over the world, are being used to fashion furniture. As you shop in your local retail store, you might admire a piece made with Bocote from Mexico, Rosewood from South America, Curly Bulinga from Cameroon in Africa or Olivewood from the Mediterranean regions. Often in the furniture industry we hear customers question wether a case good is "solid wood" There is a misconception that a solid wood piece is more valuable or better constructed than a piece that uses a combination of construction techniques. Listed below are common construction techniques and terms that will help you better evaluate the true quality of wood furniture.
Construction Techniques
Several different woods are frequently combined in the same piece of furniture. For example, the term solid cherry or solid mahogany means that all exposed parts of the piece are made of solid wood. The frame or other parts not visible to the eye might be of another wood such as gum or poplar.
Because trees don't grow in the shapes and sizes required for making furniture, pieces of wood are bonded together in different ways to achieve the necessary sizes and shapes. This technique can actually strengthen the wood and add to the durability of the furniture.
Veneering
Veneering is a centuries old technique in which thin layers of highly decorative woods are applied on top of solid cores of plywood,particleboard or medium-density fiberboard. Many of the most expensive antiques available today are veneered. Much of the most expensive furniture produced today owes its exceptional beauty to veneers.
Engraving & Printing: A Modern Technique
Modern technology has produced a less expensive method of achieving the look of wood veneers. Manufacturers can simulate a natural wood grain by printing or engraving a pattern on surfaces such as density fiberboard. Paper or foil. This furniture is easier to produce and available at a lower price than similar furniture crafted of genuine wood and wood veneers. It can be attractive but usually doesn't provide the same benefits as the real thing.
Finishes
The method of finish applied to the raw wood is the final touch to a piece of wood furniture and can well define it's style, durability, and quality. The finish application can include stain or paint or any combination of the two.
Distressing is a technique for aging new furniture and heightening its rustic appeal. The wood is beaten or battered before the finish is applied. Distressed finishes tend to hide finger marks and scratches and can be an excellent choice for rooms where there is a lot of activiy
Checklist for Buying Wood Furniture
Doors and drawers fit well
Drawers have glides and stops
Drawers glide easily when pulled
Drawers have dust panels
Drawer corners are joined securely
Insides of drawers are smooth and snag free
Long shelves have center supports
Doors swing open easily without squeaking or rubbing
Long doors are attached with sturdy hinges
Hardware is secure and strong
No rough edges on hardware
Table leaves fit properly
Finish feels smooth to the touch (except distressed)
Distressed finish has randomly spaced dark marks toward a high density foam cushion with a fiberfill wrap.
(Resource - National Home Furnishings Association)