One of the most important things when buying new wooden furniture to making sure what it will last as long as you need it to. When it comes to your household, furniture quality can make a big difference in a lot of things. We will touch briefly on each “type” of material and things to look for in them. Of course, there are some general things to look for too.
Tips
There are a fair few thing you should be looking for in wooden furniture. Some are more important than others, but it pays to tick all the boxes.
Firstly, you will want to make sure that the wood itself will hold up to the test of time. A simple way to check if the furniture you’re looking to buy is too soft is to simply run your fingernail along it. If this makes a dent in the material that’s a sign that it may not last a very long time with daily wear. If you can, avoid particle board if you can. Veneers work as a kind of in-between this and proper hardwood construction. They will not have the structural stability of hardwood construction, but won’t wear as much as particle boards do on the surface. Nails are also something you should look out for. I say this as opposed to screws or dowels as nails are liable to shift as the furniture is moved or rocked. Also watch out for the smaller warning signs that construction hasn’t been careful. Things like stapled joints, visible glue and creaking when the item is lifted at a corner.
Within the wood itself, be sure to check for knots. Knots may cause cracks in the wood, obviously something you don’t want happening. If you’re looking at something made of plywood, check for at least nine layers. This is a good number to aim for as to make sure you keep a high furniture quality.
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