| There is a large selection of oaks, pines and | | | | While many people think softwood is the complete |
| hardwoods to construct furniture out of, and with | | | | opposite of hardwood, there are many overlapping |
| the addition of hybrids and other genetically | | | | characteristics. Hardwood is generally harder than |
| engineered lumber, it is getting harder to determine | | | | softwood, but many are actually softer than |
| what type of wood your furniture is made out of. | | | | softwood. Balsa is a type of hardwood that's actually |
| This article will give you clues on how to determine | | | | softer than pine and there's yew that's an example |
| what type of furniture you prefer and what wood is | | | | of a hard softwood. Softwood comes from trees |
| best for certain types of furniture units. | | | | that are conifers (needle-bearing) and include pine, |
| Mahogany | | | | cedar, and spruce. |
| The classic-designed Greene & Greene furniture | | | | Pine |
| is usually constructed from solid mahogany. This type | | | | Pine is a beautiful softwood known mostly for its |
| of wood usually has a straight grain and bears a | | | | attractive knots, but knots are actually signs of |
| reddish-brown color that darkens over time. | | | | weakness in the wood. Nevertheless, a pine knot is |
| Mahogany is very durable and is many times used in | | | | stronger than a knot in oak furniture, which would |
| the construction of boats; it is also among the most | | | | probably fall out. To make sure the knot in your |
| expensive types of wood. There is one type of | | | | furniture isn't going to eventually fall out, a good test |
| mahogany that is of inferior quality known as | | | | is to scratch around the edge of it. Pine is perfect for |
| Philippine mahogany; this wood is inexpensive, soft, | | | | achieving a rustic look in your home, and it's usually |
| and not very durable. The only acceptable form of | | | | the knots that add to its beauty but recently pine |
| this wood would be when it is used as a top, | | | | farmers are growing pine without knots. These |
| decorative layer on plywood. | | | | genetically engineered trees are being farmed to |
| White Oak | | | | grow fast and to grow without low branches |
| Authentic Mission style furniture is constructed from | | | | (because that is where the knots come from.) |
| solid quarter sawn White Oak. White Oak is known | | | | Rubberwood |
| as being "barrel tight" because of the fiber that | | | | Rubberwood was discovered during the 16th century |
| grows within the tree that makes it strong enough | | | | in Brazil however tree farms were started in Thailand |
| to prevent leaking (for example) through a barrel. | | | | and China. The sap from the tree has been used for |
| Other reliable solid oak includes Siberian oak and | | | | many things from tires to condoms. Rubberwood |
| American Red Oak. The unique specks that make | | | | features a nice grain and is widely used in to the |
| quarter sawn oak so valuable are actually protein that | | | | furniture from Vietnam, Thailand and China. This type |
| run perpendicular to growth rings on a lumber log. | | | | of wood is farmed, therefore is renewable and is |
| This protein makes the wood stronger as well as | | | | durable. Its quality is comparable to oak as it is |
| gives it a distinctive aesthetic. The most productive | | | | stronger than some hardwoods. |
| craftsmen, the Amish, hand pick the lumber to go | | | | Plywood |
| into a unit and the parts that are left over are many | | | | Plywood is often used in modern furniture as well. It |
| times used for drawer sides. | | | | is a panel made up of multiple layers sometimes |
| Cedar | | | | including particle wood and solid wood. The layers are |
| Most recently, however, drawers are constructed | | | | not very thick, only about a few millimeters and they |
| from aromatic cedar, which has its benefits. Cedar | | | | are layered in different directions to make it stronger. |
| repels moths and is aesthetically beautiful besides the | | | | Plywood is also very good as sides on a drawer |
| fresh smell it leaves behind. After years of use | | | | because of its sturdiness and is usually pretty |
| however, cedar is known to oxidize and the smell | | | | inexpensive. |
| wears off but can be revitalized by sanding the | | | | Veneers |
| cedar. Nevertheless for the most durable drawers, | | | | Lastly, although usually frowned upon, veneer is not |
| hardwood construction is the best. | | | | as bad as it is made out to be. It is great for pieces |
| Hardwood | | | | that won't get much use and can be very |
| While you can get the most use from furniture with | | | | good-looking. Many times what causes veneer to be |
| solid tops because they will last longer and can | | | | of poor quality is the construction of it. It is |
| absorb finishes easier, hardwood constructed | | | | recommended to purchase furniture that does not |
| furniture or furniture with veneer tops can visually | | | | require assembly. If you notice that the furniture is |
| take on any style because they are available in a | | | | constructed of veneer and only features that |
| variety of stains, particularly darker ones. For | | | | decorative layer of veneer on one side, be prepared |
| example, the Barn Furniture Mart offers birch, cherry, | | | | to not have that piece for very long. When moisture |
| and maple, both hardwoods in cappuccino and cherry | | | | is absorbed by wood unevenly on one side only, it will |
| finishes. Hardwoods come from trees that are | | | | swell and the board will warp. Even solid wood needs |
| available all year long. | | | | to be finished on both sides to prevent warping. |