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Wood Source
There are two primary categories of natural wood used in furniture
construction: hardwood and softwood. Hardwoods come from deciduous
trees (the ones that loose their leaves in autumn) such as maple,
walnut, mahogany and oak Softwoods come from coniferous (also
known as evergreen) trees and include species such as pine, cedar
and redwood. Both varieties are used for furniture construction
with hardwoods valued for their strength and durability, and
softwoods for their easy tooling and shaping.
Engineered wood is any variety of wood fibers, particles, or
veneers adhered together with a bonding agent. Furniture bearing
the description "All-Wood" is frequently composed of
engineered wood products. Engineered woods are less prone to
warping due to variations in humidity, and in some cases, offer
a stronger substructure. Engineered wood may also be viewed as
environment-friendly since it uses of lumber that might normally
go to waste.
Veneers are a time-honored technique of furniture construction
and should not be considered a sign of inferior construction
or materials. Veneers have been used in furniture construction
since the ancient Egyptian era as a decorative effect. Veneers
can be used to create intricate patterns on the surface of furniture
with grain matching or with marquetry and intarsia inlays. Veneers
are often made from highly-valued woods like mahogany and walnut,
or exotic woods like tiger wood and maple burl. Veneers are applied
to both solid wood and engineered wood substructures.
Laminates are constructed by the adhesion of a paper product,
printed to look like wood grain or other appealing pattern, to
an engineered wood substructure and then sealed with a protective
finish. Laminate products have gained popularity in the flooring
industry as a low-maintenance, and low cost, alternative to hardwood
flooring.
Finish
Stains are used to alter the natural color of the wood. Furniture
with a "cherry finish" is not necessarily made with
cherry wood; more likely, another hardwood was used for the construction
and then stained to look like cherry wood. Stains have been used
on furniture for centuries as dictated by home decor trends.
Stains consist of thin pigments that are absorbed into the grain
of the wood. A wax, oil, polyurethane, shellac or lacquer finish
is applied over a stain to protect the wood surface.
Distressing is a finishing technique that artificially creates
a weathered look. Sanding, punctures, or gouges on the wood surface
help to create the effect.
Antiqued finishes employ distressing as well as stains to simulate
the aged patina of an antique.
Painted finishes can be solid and even, or antiqued and distressed.
Natural flaws in wood, such as knots, can absorb paint finishes
differently; therefore, solid paint treatments can be difficult
to create, and thus may be more costly. Distressed painted finishes
often have sanded edges and corners that allow the natural wood
color and grain to show through.
A number of different products may be used to protect a wood
surface. Wax, oils (linseed oil or tung oil), polyurethane, shellac
and lacquer bring a unique character to the wood as they protect
it. Whatever material is used in the finishing process, the final
product should be smooth to the touch. A hand-rubbed finish is
"rubbed-out" or buffed with abrasives or cloths after
application of the finishing materials. It leads to a smoother,
more refined final surface.
Construction and Components
High quality wood furniture will feature construction techniques
and components that increase functionality and lengthen lifespan.
Levelers or adjustable floor glides are components on the feet
that may be adjusted up or down so that the piece doesn't wobble.
This is an important feature since leveling ensures the proper
alignment of doors and drawers.
Corner blocks reinforce the corners of case goods and drawers
to improve strength and stability. Corner blocks are not seen
from the outside, but bolt to both sides of interior corners.
Dust panels are thin sheets of wood between drawers in the body
of a chest or desk. They help to keep clothing or other materials
in the drawers clean by preventing the infiltration of dust.
They also add to the structural integrity of the piece, making
it stronger and sturdier.
Back panels are the generally unseen backs of case goods that
are placed against the wall. Quality case goods have back panels
attached with screws to help ensure the lateral stability.
Dovetails are a sturdy construction technique, usually employed
in drawer construction, consisting of interlocking tenons of
wood. English dovetails consist of interlocking fan-shaped wedges.
French dovetails are constructed with one long groove, which
is narrower at the surface and wider at the depth, into which
slides an interlocking end of a board. Given two chests of similar
scale, drawers constructed with French dovetails will offer less
storage capacity than drawers constructed with English dovetails
because of the required overhang of wood on the front panel.
Drawer glides allow you to effortlessly move a drawer in and
out of its station. They can be made of wood, metal, or nylon,
or combinations of these materials. Glides can be side mounted
or bottom mounted, depending on the case construction. For example,
side mounted glides are more likely to be found on drawers with
French dovetails. Wood is a strong material for drawer glides
since it expands and contracts with changes in humidity, just
like the rest of the piece. Glides in office furniture such as
desks, file cabinets and computer armoires are important to the
functionality of the piece. Metal compound glides in office furniture
allow for the full extension of drawers. They are usually side
mounted and may incorporate ball bearings or nylon roller wheels.
This is useful for accessing file drawers.
Stops, made of nylon or wood, prevent drawers from being pulled
out too far or from falling out when fully extended.
© Weiss
Furniture, Inc. 2008
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