The process of buying wooden furniture can be overwhelming. If you visit online or in-store there are many pieces that look stunning on the outside. They feature shiny surfaces, sleek lines, and beautiful colours. But, there is a huge difference that is evident between furniture constructed from genuine, high-quality wood and pieces made of synthetic materials that are cheap and inexpensive.
The cheapest alternatives in Furniture in Pakistan are usually composed of wooden scraps and glue and plastic covers made of paper made to look like real wood grain. Although these furniture pieces appear nice at first glance, they are prone to bend and crack, peel or break down within some years of usage. When you invest in solid wood, you are purchasing a sturdy furniture piece that will last for many generations.
To ensure your hard-earned money and make a wise purchase, it is essential to be aware of what to look for when choosing a designer sofa set. Utilizing your senses of seeing, touch and even smell you can quickly distinguish authentic handmade furniture from cheap, mass-produced replicas.
Check the Underside and Grain Patterns
The initial step to finding real wood is to examine the areas that the majority of manufacturers do not want you to take a look at. It is important to look at the sides, back panels or the corners inside that make up the piece of furniture. Furniture that is cheap is made by gluing a thin, decorative layer of layer of veneer on top of compressed sawdust. It is rare for manufacturers to waste money on this beautiful layer on unnoticed surfaces.
If you examine an actual solid table made of wood and the wood grain that is visible on the top of the table continues smoothly along the edges and reveals exactly the same patterns on the underneath. If the table’s top is adorned with beautiful wood lines, however the bottom of the table is completely smooth, rough, or appears like plain cardboard, then you’re considering a cheaper alternative.
Additionally, nature is never flawless. Genuine solid wood used in transforming furniture is likely to have random patterns of grain, irregular grain with minor color variations along with natural knots. If you gaze at a big dresser or a large dining table and you notice that the pattern of the wood repeats flawlessly every few inches, it’s fake wood. It’s a manufactured image that is glued to an inexpensive board.
Understand How the Pieces Are Joined Together
The way that a piece of furniture is constructed tells you all you must be aware of the overall quality. Solid wood furniture of the highest quality is held together with wooden joints that are strong and traditional. Alternatives that are less expensive rely on the use of staples and fast glue or plastic screws which loosen with time.
If you are looking at drawers, take them completely out and examine the corners of the front piece joined to the walls on the sides. You should look for specific signs of construction to illustrate how the pieces are linked.
Dovetail joints are used in premium furniture, including quality hidden storage beds, that look like interlocking fingers of wood. They hold furniture pieces securely using the strength of wood and require very little glue. If you observe that the corners of drawers are held together with tiny nails, staples made of metal or lines of yellow glue that have dried, the item is made of cheap materials and is likely to be damaged if you put large objects inside.
Feel the Real Weight and Surface Texture
Real wood is strong, heavy and sturdy. If you raise one corner of a solid wooden dining table or robust chest with drawers it will feel heavy and well-anchored. Cheap furniture made of hollow boards or lighter synthetic materials feel quite lightweight. If a big wooden wardrobe feels comfortable to move around the space with just one hand, it’s likely made of cheap alternative materials that are low-quality.
Your fingers can also be a good indicator of the condition of the furniture piece. Your hands are dragged over the surface of wood. The real wood is warm and has a delicate natural texture. Even with a smooth polish or a protective wax coat one can sense the subtle lines of the natural grain.
The synthetic materials, on the other hand, are completely smooth, flat and cold, just like the plastic countertop or glass window.
Check the Material Descriptions and Pricing
The old adage is accurate when it comes to buying furniture If the price seems too amazing to be true then it probably is. Furniture made from solid wood requires premium timber that is slow-growing like teak, walnut, oak or rosewood. Also, it requires the expert work of skilled carpenters. This is why furniture made of solid wood comes with an additional cost.
If you come across a huge dining table or complete bedroom wardrobe at a bargain price it is not possible to claim it’s authentic solid wood. Be sure to ask the salesperson to provide a written explanation of the products employed.
Be cautious about obscure terms such as wood finishes or engineered wood, wooden-faced board or composites made by humans. These are just clever marketing terms that disguise the fact that it is constructed of compressed, cheap waste materials, not real solid wood.
Conclusion
Being able to identify genuine hardwood is the most effective method to protect your investment in furniture for your home. By taking the time to inspect the undersides of furniture, challenging interlocking joints, and observing the natural weight and texture you can buy without a doubt. True wood furniture can be more expensive at first however its remarkable quality, beauty and long life span makes it a more affordable and a better investment for your family as time passes.
