Wood Furniture Shopping Tips

When you hear furniture salespeople refer to "case goods", they're talking about items such as wood chests, desks, and living room and dining room tables. The term case good refers to furniture that's generally constructed of wood. However, many of today's case goods may be made totally, or in part, of other man-made materials such as metal or plastic. The materials used are usually a determining factor in the look of a piece and will largely affect its durability and price.

All woods used for making furniture fall into two categories: hardwoods and softwoods. But surprisingly the designation doesn't always have anything to do with how hard or how soft the wood is. The term hardwood identifies trees that lose their leaves seasonally and softwood refers to those that keep their foliage all year. The hardwoods commonly used in making furniture are cherry, maple, oak and mahogany. Common furniture woods in the softwood category include cedar, fir and pine. More expensive furniture is usually made of fine hardwoods such as cherry or oak, or of softwoods such as pine. Medium-priced furniture may have a combination of different woods on exposed surfaces including imported hardwoods such as rubberwood.

In case good construction several different woods may be used in the same piece of furniture. For example, the term solid cherry or solid maple means that all of the exposed parts are made of the solid wood. However, the frame or other supporting parts not visible to the eye might be of another wood such as oak. Combinations of woods are often used to enhance the beauty and durability of a piece.

Because trees don't naturally produce wood in the shapes and sizes required for making furniture, pieces of wood are bonded together to achieve the necessary sizes and shapes. These four types of bonding are often used in most furniture construction:

• Wider boards are cut into long narrow planks and bonded back together. In solid wood furniture, strips are carefully glued together to form the tops, sides and door panels for example. This is actually done to improve the strength of the woods and to prevent warping and splitting.
• Shaping is achieved by gluing individual pieces of wood together. These glued blocks can then be machined for a deep carved pattern or turned and shaped into a leg, pedestal or other part.
• Combination wood panels (the material commonly found under veneers) are generally made by mixing wood particles with resins and binding agents. These sheets are formed under extreme heat and immense pressure making them exceptionally strong, stable and resistant to warping. Commonly called particleboard or fiberboard, this material is regularly used on the backs of cabinets and doors or as cores for tops and side panels. Yes, even expensive brand name furniture often uses this material in their construction because of its stability and durability.
• Ply construction is achieved by adding layers, placed at cross grain, to a solid wood or particleboard core. Adhesives are placed on each layer and this "sandwich" is permanently bonded together under high pressure. Modern glues and manufacturing techniques have made ply construction very strong and resistant to warping.

Veneered Furniture

Some of the most expensive furniture produced throughout history owes its exceptional beauty and charm to veneers. Veneering has been used in quality furniture for many centuries. The Egyptians used it in constructing elaborate furniture pieces for their kings and the famous American furniture maker Thomas Chippendale was a masterful practitioner of the art. In Chippendale's time (the 18th Century), veneered furniture was so expensive that very few people could afford it.

Veneer construction is the application of thin layers of wood on top of solid wood cores, plywood, particleboard, or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Veneering allows great flexibility, making it possible to match grain patterns or use inlays to create designs that nature can't produce in solid wood. Today, wood furniture in all price ranges is made of veneer construction, which allows the maximum use of beautiful grain patterns and rare woods at affordable prices. Keep in mind that veneer doesn't mean cheap furniture, however a piece that would get exceptionally hard use would be more durable/repairable in a solid hardwood such as oak.

Printed and Engraved Grain Furniture

Modern furniture construction technology has produced a less expensive way of achieving the look of wood veneers. Manufacturers can now simulate a natural wood grain by printing or engraving a pattern on surfaces such as fiberboard. This method of construction is easier to produce and available at a lower price than similar furniture crafted of genuine wood veneers. It's attractive and durable, but usually doesn't provide the same benefits as the real thing. However, printing and engraving offer you exceptional looks on a limited budget. These types of pieces are not generally recommended for hard use.

Furniture Finishes

The finish used on a piece of furniture adds a touch of beauty and elegance to it. A finish that provides an even color and adds a degree of protection normally requires the application of several coats of oil, lacquer, wax or paint to the surface of the piece.

Clear furniture finishes allow the natural markings and grain variations of the wood to show through. Tinted or opaque finishes shade the color of the wood and can make two different woods appear the same. Finishes can vary the look of a piece of furniture, making it appear smooth and sleek or rough and rustic. Distressing is also a very popular method of finishing new furniture to look older and more rustic. Distressed finishes tend to hide finger marks and scratches and can be an excellent choice for rooms where there's a lot of activity. Painting is another popular way of finishing furniture. Painted pieces can often be more expensive than those with natural finishes since paint tends to show up flaws, so more time must be taken by the manufacturer to make sure imperfections are removed from the wood before painting. Imported furniture and many contemporary designs may have other types of finishes also.

Checklist for Buying Wood Furniture

• Doors and drawers line up and fit well.
• Drawers have glides with stops to prevent the drawers from falling out.
• Drawers open easily.
• Case goods have dust panels between the drawers.
• Drawer corners are joined securely.
• Insides of drawers are smooth and snag free.
• Long shelves have center supports to prevent sagging/warping.
• Doors swing open easily without squeaking or rubbing.
• Doors are attached with sturdy hinges.
• Hardware such as handles and pulls are secure and durable.
• Hardware is free of rough or sharp edges.
• Interior lights are easy to reach and operate.
• Entertainment units have an adequate hole(s) for electric cords.
• Dining tables have a heavy balanced feeling when gently rocked.
• Dining table leaves fit properly and easily.
• Finish feels smooth and uniform (except for distressed or textured finishes).
• Distressed finishes have randomly spaced markings.

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