Wood Quality

A fine piece of quality wood furniture is definitely worth the price. Here some tips to ensure that you are, indeed, buying quality wood furniture.

The three items to look for on any piece of wood furniture you buy are: the wood, the finish and the construction.

Let’s look at each of these in detail.

Type of wood

The species of wood used to construct a piece of furniture can determine how long the furniture will last – and will look good.

There are three main types of wood used in furniture construction: hardwood, softwood, or engineered wood.

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees (trees that shed their leaves). The main species used to construct furniture includes walnut, mahogany, cherry, oak and teak. Hardwoods are characterized by their fine, compact grain, durability, and heavy weight. Quality furniture maker use wood that is air and kiln dried to remove all the moisture prior to construction. Hardwood is ideal for furniture construction and flooring; it will last a long time.

Softwood comes from evergreen varieties of trees like pine, fir, redwood and cedar. Softwood tends to scratch and dent easily. It is usually used to construct less “formal” furniture groupings.

Sometimes engineered wood, like plywood, is used to provide strength without the tendency to split or warp. Furniture using a plywood frame will often have a high quality veneer bonded to the exposed areas of the frame.

Construction

The construction of a piece of furniture also impacts the functionality and how long the furniture will retain its looks. The way a piece is constructed can contribute to its beauty, functionality and also how long it will last. The joinery and sturdiness of a piece will tell you a lot about its quality.

Two quality ways to join wood are Mortise and tenon, and dovetails. Mortise and tenon joints secure would that is joined at a 90 degree angle. One piece of wood is inserted into another and fastened with glue, wedges or dowels creating a strong joint.

Dovetails, so named because the pattern looks like a dove’s tail, are commonly used to create the joints of drawers. The dovetail is only seen when the drawer is opened. It too, makes a strong, secure joint.

Quality joints can also have dowels and screws. Staples are not considered a characteristic of good quality furniture.
Quality furniture frames also may have corner blocks bolted at the inside of the corners at the joints add to the strength.

Good quality storage pieces, like desks or dressers, may have thin pieces of wood between drawers in the body of the piece. Not only does this add strength, but it also keeps dust away from the contents stored within the piece.

Unexposed parts of quality wood furniture are smooth and fit together well. The back panels, will also be smooth and help to ensure the lateral stability.

When looking at a piece of furniture open and close drawers and doors. Make sure the drawers fit well and slide in and out easily. A well constructed piece of furniture will also have glides and stops that prevent the drawer from being pulled all the way out.

A closed door should finish the piece. It should close flush and open easily. Pulls and knobs should be of the same quality as the rest of the piece.

Quality wood furniture should not squeak, twist and seem unsteady in anyway.

The Finishing Touch

Fine quality furniture will have a fine quality finish. Whether you are looking at a cherry dining room set or distressed pine furniture for a less formal area, the finish will tell you much about the quality.

Each piece of furniture should be smooth to the touch. This results from the careful attention to sanding, staining and finishing during construction.

A quality finish involves sanding, staining, and finishing. Neglect at any of the stages can affect the overall quality of a piece. When you feel the surface, there should be no roughness or scratches. The color should be even and there should be no dark lines or patches on the surface. All sections of the furniture should have the same color tone.

The number of times a piece is sanded and finished with varnish or other protective coating will determine the richness of the finish. The more times a pieces has been sanded and finished, the more depth the finish will have. High quality finishes yield a surface that is clear and satiny smooth to the touch and free of rough spots, dust specks or bubbles – you will find that quality furniture makes finish the back and undersides as well.

Exceptions are made for distressed surfaces, which occurs when the wood is beaten and nicked before application of the final protective coating. However, the finish will still feel smooth to the touch.