Almost all kinds of wood are used in the making of furniture, but people love some special kind of wood for their durability and beauty. Furniture has been made from the most abundant wood, but the traditional favourite wood has become rare and more expensive. Today, most furniture is made with ash, pine, gum, and poplar; pine, fir, and other inexpensive woods are used for hidden parts. The rare woods are used only for very good furniture, and they’re often used in combination with the less expensive woods.
What Are the Main Types of Wood
There are two main types of wood: hardwood and softwood. Each has different properties and gives unique benefits, and is used for different purposes.
Hardwood
Hardwood comes from an angiosperm tree that sheds leaves seasonally, known for being dense, strong, and durable due to slow growth and complex structure.
Properties of Hardwood
Many homeowners choose hardwood for furniture, flooring, and many other uses due to its desirable properties.
- Density: It is a strong and durable wood because of its dense nature.
- Resistance: Hardwood is more resistant to tears than softwood.
- Appearance: With a wide range of colours and textures, it makes it more attractive.
- Malleability: Hardwood can be shaped and moulded into a variety of forms for different uses, which makes it easy to work with.
- Example: Mahogany, Walnut, Cherry, Maple, Oak are examples of hardwood.
Softwood
Softwood refers to woods that come from mostly cone-bearing trees like pine, cedar, spruce, and fir. This wood is called soft not because it is soft in nature, but because these trees grow fast and have less dense wood.
Properties of Softwood
Softwood is generally lightweight, easy to work with, and more affordable, with faster growth and good flexibility, making it the best option for creating furniture. Here are some key properties:
- Lightweight and Flexible: due to its lower density, it is easier to handle, cut, shape and band without breaking easily.
- Workability: Straight grains and uniform texture allow for smoother machining, cutting, and finishing with standard tools.
- Cost-Effective: Fast growth rates make them cheaper and more sustainable for industrial use.
- Durability: Lower natural resistance to rot and insects, often requiring chemical treatment for outdoor use.
- Examples: pine, spruce, fir, cedar, and larch are examples of softwood.
Which Hardwood for Your Bedroom Furniture?
For beautiful, durable bedroom furniture, oak, maple, walnut, and cherry are top choices, offering strength, longevity, and rich aesthetics.
Cherry wood
Cherry wood is the most popular wood for bedroom furniture, starting as a light pinkish-red wood, with even a bit of a golden hue. It is strong yet easy to cut, stain, and finish, making it a versatile choice for everything from traditional to modern live-edge tables.
Walnut Wood
Walnut wood is a prized hardwood known for its rich, dark chocolate brown colour, attractive grain, strength, and excellent workability. It is ideal for high-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, musical instruments, and veneers, valued for its beauty, durability, and ability to finish to a high polish.
Oak wood
It is one of the most popular hardwoods, also called the king of the English tree, which is extremely strong, dense, durable and resistant to fungal attacks. Oak wardrobes are a prime example of oak wood used for furniture in the bedroom.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Wood for Furniture
When choosing wood for furniture, always check for durability, appearance, cost, function and sustainability.
Durability and strength
Durability should be the first thing to consider when selecting wood for furniture. For example, if you are making living space furniture, look for the wood that is naturally resistant to moisture and insects, like oak wood, which is the best option for sofas bed.
Grain and Texture
The overall look, feel, and aesthetic appeal of the furniture depend on the grain and texture of the wood. They impact the visual pattern, tactile quality, and even the perceived value of a piece.
Moisture Resistance
Certain woods like teak and cedar have natural oils that make them resistant to moisture, which is essential for outdoor or bathroom furniture. For indoor pieces, woods with a lower moisture content will help prevent warping and cracking over time.
Conclusion
Great home furniture depends on the type of wood you select for your furniture. Consider the type of use your furniture will see, the strength and durability of the wood, and the appearance and grain of the wood. By understanding the different types of wood, their characteristics, and how to select high-quality materials, you can elevate the quality of your woodworking projects significantly. If you are looking for cheap sofas for sale, you can explore Oak Furniture UK’s website.
