3 Kinds Of Wood Used In Real Wood Furniture

 Real wood furniture is the most popular furniture in 
existence. It's been around for hundreds of years and 
probably existed when the cave people got tired of squatting 
on the dirt floor of their caves and looked around for a 
better way. 

The woods that are fashioned into furniture fall into three 
categories: 

1. Hardwoods 
2. Softwoods 
3. Composites 

Even the term 'hardwood' or 'softwood' is deceptive. 
Hardwoods aren't necessarily harder, denser material. For 
example, balsa wood is one of the lightest, least dense 
woods there is, and it's considered a hardwood. Technically, 
lumber is classified based on how the tree reproduces. As a 
general rule, though, softwood trees are evergreen year 
round while the hardwoods create the gorgeous autumn foliage 
that we all love so much. 

Hardwoods are considered the highest quality and are the 
most expensive. Their natural colors vary from the darkest 
woods to the lightest ones and and they can be stained or 
painted for even more variety. Hardwood furniture is least 
likely to warp or bend and is prized in all high quality 
homes. The five woods most commonly used in furniture 
production are cherry, walnut, oak, maple and mahogany. 

Softwoods are less expensive than hardwoods, but they 
require extra care. Because they are less durable, it's much 
easier to scratch or dent softwood furniture. In addition, 
they often don't have the beautiful grains of a hardwood, 
and therefore don't stain as beautifully. 

Pine is an example of a softwood that is commonly used for 
furniture. These woods are often used in construction as 
well so the choicest pieces are reserved for furniture. In 
construction, knots and splits are common. Lots of 
construction lumber will not accept paint and this kind of 
wood is used for shelves or packing crates. 

The softwood used in furniture is designated as "Appearance" 
lumber and includes most softwood lumber that has been 
custom milled to a pattern or otherwise surfaced on all four 
sides. 

Composites are the cheapest form of wood and are literally 
manufactured, rather than grown. 

1. Plywood: multiple layers of thin wooden sheets are glued 
together and pressed. Plywood is strong and resists 
swelling, shrinking and warping. There is some furniture 
made directly from plywood, but generally it is only used as 
a support when incorporated into furniture. 

2. Particle board: sawdust and small wood chips are mixed 
with glue or resin which is then shaped and pressure 
treated. When used for inexpensive furniture, particle board 
is usually covered with laminate or veneer. This is 
necessary because particle board splits easily and the 
laminate prevents splitting. However, the downside is that 
the laminate may separate from the wood because the particle 
board responds to temperature and pressure changes by 
swelling and shrinking. 

3. Hardboard: is made like particle board but it's placed 
under higher pressure so it's stronger. 

4. MDF or Medium Density Fiberboard: wood particles are 
bonded with resin and compressed. It is harder than particle 
board or hardboard, and can be cut like plywood although it 
isn't as strong as plywood. Some MDF is covered with 
melamine which is a durable plastic in a variety of colors. 
The exposed edges of MDF are rough and need covering with 
molding or some other decorative material. 

Technically, furniture made from all of these wood products 
is "real" wood furniture, even the composites. Prices and 
quality range from the hardwoods down to the composites. 
The higher you go up the spectrum, the more you can expect 
to pay for your wood furniture. The good part, of course, 
is that with proper care hardwood furniture will last for 
decades or even generations. If you can afford it, always 
choose hardwood furniture.