Simple Reminders When Choosing Timber Furniture
Timber furniture is a great choice for any home as it is timeless and classic and can be mixed with modern décor to break up the look of glass and metals and can also add a certain warmth to a traditional style room. When you're ready to choose timber furniture, you need to know what to look for and how it might change over the years, so you're sure you'll be happy with the pieces for years to come. Note a few simple reminders when you're ready to choose timber furniture for your home.
1. Teak
Even after being cut from a tree and treated in order to be used for manufacturing and furniture design, teak will continue to change with age. You need to understand this so you know what to expect with your teak furniture; it typically becomes a silvery grey color after some years. You might actually like this look and are choosing teak furniture for that very reason, but be sure you understand how it does change so you don't assume the furniture will stay constant even with sealers and other protective coatings added.
2. Hardwood versus softwood
You might assume that a piece made from hardwood is going to be more durable than one made from softwood, but this isn't necessarily the case. Hardwood and softwood refers to how the trees reproduce; hardwood will usually have a bit more density than softwood, but consider that cedar, fir, and pine are all softwood trees. These are dense enough to make any quality furniture piece that is sure to last. Don't be put off by the word "softwood" and assume the furniture will somehow be soft, pliable, or more likely to bend than a hardwood piece.
3. Joint construction
Look at the joints of furniture and note that, if there is glue involved in its construction, you shouldn't see it outside the joint. Any drops of glue or residue will usually mean a poor-quality furniture manufacturer and a piece that is not as solid as it should be. Glue can be used on joints, but it won't be visible in a high-quality piece.
4. Reclaimed wood
If you want to make an eco-friendly choice for your timber furniture, look for reclaimed wood. This is wood that has been taken from another project and recycled into your furniture piece. This keeps the wood out of landfills and also means less harvesting of virgin wood for timber furniture.
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