Posts Tagged by Solid Wood Furniture

www.schneidermans.com One of most common questions we get asked here at Schneiderman’s Furniture is “What is the difference between solid wood and veneered wood furniture?” One is not necessarily better than the other. In this video Chad & Susan from Schneiderman’s show us what to look for in a piece of wood furniture and how to decide what’s best for you.
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Solid wood furniture often holds a special place in our homes and lives because it is so durable and beautiful and can easily be passed down from one generation to the next. Well built solid wood furniture is harder to come by these days and often costs a small fortune when bought new. More and more people are finding and buying older pieces of furniture and refinishing them to bring them back to their former glory.

The process of taking and old piece of wooden furniture that has been neglected or forgotten and restoring it to a beautiful piece of furniture can be time consuming and frustrating at times, but it can also be incredibly rewarding when you’re done. Here are the general steps required in refinishing a piece of wooden furniture:

1. Pick a piece of furniture – The first step is obviously having a piece of furniture to refinish. If it is the first time you have tried such a project it should probably be something relatively simple in design and without a lot of ornate decorations. You may also want to avoid trying your hand at refinishing priceless antiques and furniture that is in need of extensive repair. A simple chest of drawers or a single chair is a good start. Assess the piece of furniture and make sure it is mostly sturdy and able to be refinished. A flea market or large garage sale is sometimes the perfect place to find old dressers or toyboxes that have been painted over but are just waiting to be refinished.

2. Removing the finish – Now that you have a piece of furniture you’ll want to remove the existing finish. Often this finish is paint and it can be removed several ways. Using a chemical paint stripper that is made exclusively for wood is a good start, but you’ll also need a lot of elbow grease, some steel brushes and a paint scraper to really get that paint off. This is sometimes the most time consuming part of the entire job. Once you begin to remove the finish you should try to identify what type of wood your furniture is made out of because that may affect how you sand and even how you ultimately refinish the piece.

3. Sanding – Once the majority of the previous finish has been removed from every square inch of your piece of furniture you can begin sanding it. Typically you sand with a lower grade grit (lower number, rougher sanding) and move up to higher grades. Yes, you will sand the same piece multiple times. First you may go over a piece of furniture with an 80 grit piece of paper and then you may go over it again with a 120 grit sandpaper and then you may go over it a third time with a 220 grit sand paper. The “grit” refers to how many grits of sand are in a square inch of the paper. The higher the grit the smaller the sand grits and the smoother the sanding job. You sand a piece of wooden furniture for several reasons. You are removing any excess finish and you are also preparing the wood for the next finish. Be careful about over sanding! Some stains and finishes actually have a hard time adhering to a wood surface that it too smooth.

4. Repair – Once you’re done sanding you should check the piece over and make any structural repairs if they are needed. Check dovetail joints to make sure they are tight and consider replacing any metal hardware if it is not functioning properly or could damage the wood of the furniture.

5. Finish – Finally, you can now apply a finish to your new piece of furniture! There are several different options for staining from water based to oil based to Gel stains. They all have advantages and disadvantages and the stain you choose may depend upon the type of wood you’re working with and refinishing. After applying several coats of stain you’ll then want to add a protecting coat which will also depend up the type of wood and the type of stain you are using.

The process of refinishing a piece of wood, no matter how large or how small, is a long one which often requires a lot of patience, a little bit of creativity and a fair bit of persistance. Many people find that once they’ve refinished one piece of furniture that they can’t wait to find the next piece of wooden furniture to fix up and refinish!

You’ve finally got that solid American grown oak wood bedroom set of your dreams. The high quality is apparent in the way it enhances your home. Made with color-matched lumber from superior regions of the United States and a finish done by hand, your new wood furniture is a sight to behold.

Now that you’ve invested in such a perfect piece of solid wood furniture make sure you know how to care for it properly. Maintenance of hardwood furniture shouldn’t take a lot of effort, but there are steps you should take to avoid wear and damage to the beauty of your furniture.

Sometimes wear can come from things that are seemingly out of your hands. Like heat and humidity.  You can’t change Mother Nature, but you can make sure changes in the weather don’t damage your wood furniture.

Try to avoid drastic changes in humidity by keeping a humidifier. Also, avoid long exposure to direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent drying and fading.

Sometimes you can cause damage unintentionally. You’d be surprised but a lot of damage happens during cleaning. You do want to dust to rid wood furniture of dust particles that can be abrasive, but you want to do it the right way. You don’t need expensive products to clean your wood furniture. In fact, it doesn’t take much to protect and enhance your wood furniture.

A simple soft cloth like a baby diaper or an old t-shirt can be used to dust your wood furniture without damaging it. Lightly moisten the cloth with a few drops of water, but be sure not to get it so wet that it leaves wetness on the furniture. The moisture in the cloth will help dust particles adhere to the cloth better.

Never use a dry cloth as that can cause tiny scratches in the wood. When you are dusting be sure to dust along the pattern of the grain. Dust underneath objects like lamps or candles by picking them up rather than sliding them across the wood surface. You may want to occasionally wax or polish your wood furniture as well.

To prevent stains and other damage from normal use, make sure to use coasters or pads. Under accessories like lamps always use felt to prevent scratches. And when writing on a wood surface use a pad underneath paper so you don’t leave indentations in the wood from your pen.

Solvents, alcohol, nail polish or polish remover, and similar substances should be kept away from your furniture. Spilling these items can cause a damaging reaction with the wood or finish.

You’re furniture is beautiful and a fine investment. Treat it as such. Make sure it lasts for years to come by taking proper care of your wood furniture.

There are, in fact, a good number of different woods used for construction and each one is fundamentally different.

For bedroom furniture sets, exotic woods such as teak and mahogany are usually preferred by manufacturers and craftsmen. These woods are very charming in an elegant classic way. Usually, this type of wood furniture comes with a high price tag but the effect it lends to a room is worth it in every way.

Some wood furniture are less expensive and usually, domestic woods are the materials used. These include the softwood varieties such as pine and redwood as well as hardwoods like cherry, mahogany, maple and oak. The domestic woods that are available and are used to make furniture include softwoods such as pine and redwood as well as hardwoods such as poplar, cherry, ash, walnut, maple and oak.

What keeps solid wood furniture in fashion all the time is its versatility that allows craftsmen to create beautiful masterpieces of them. This type of furniture is available in many different colors and grains and are classified as hardwood or softwood. This differentiation does not only refers to strength but also to how the woods thrive in the forest. Hardwoods shed their leaves with each season while softwoods keep theirs through the year.

Of the hardwood varieties, teak and mahogany are usually more expensive than the others. But even these could be purchased for reasonable price tags from wholesale shops, usually up to 20 percent less than their retail cost. On the other hand, the softwood range could provide equally charming yet cheaper alternatives. The advantage of softwoods lies in their ability to bend which makes it easier for an artisan to create different pieces with different designs. But while they are generally durable, they’re still not as strong and resilient as hardwoods.

An even cheaper alternative to softwoods is wooden furniture made from composites such as plywood, particle board and pressed wood. These engineered wood types actually have the advantage of not shrinking nor expanding in reaction to environmental changes. Still, they will not be as durable as the natural woods. Anyone looking to buy solid wood furniture for the outdoors will also need to choose wood that can withstand changes in weather.

If you’re looking for wooden bedroom furniture, log on to an online furniture shop and enjoy the convenience of shopping from your own home, whether you’re planning to buy solid wood furniture or cheap furniture made from engineered woods.

Do you know how to go about checking quality of wood furniture? It is not that hard to choose high-end solid wood furniture! You can learn to judge quality by looking at the type of wood material, the furniture construction and how the piece is finished.

Wood Material

How long your furniture will last depends mainly on the kind of wood that is used. It can be made of hardwood, softwood, or engineered wood. Generally speaking quality furniture is made out of hardwood coming from deciduous trees such as oak, maple, mahogany, teak, walnut, cherry and birch. The wood will be air dried and then kiln dried to remove all the moisture.

Coniferous trees such as pine, fir, redwood and cedar produce soft wood. Soft wood can be of good quality, but are more apt to scratch and dent. Modern furniture is very rarely constructed of solid wood. Plywood, or engineered wood is commonly used because it provides strength, and helps prevent splitting or warping. The engineered wood, when used with high quality veneers, can be very attractive. 

Construction

The way a piece is constructed can contribute to its beauty, functionality and also how long it will last. Chinese furniture has long been use the traditional wood structure mortise and tenon, which will provide the furniture with some generations’ life span. A good quality desk or chest of drawers will have dust panels or thin sheets of wood at the bottom. This not only makes them stronger structurally, but keeps dust away from clothing or papers. Back panels that face the wall are generally made of engineered wood, but the quality furniture with well construction is of the same solid wood in the back panel. This detail is usually ignored by consumers. If you are choosing quality wood furniture, don’t forget to check the back panel.

Finish

A quality finish involves sanding, staining, and finishing. Neglecting any of the stages can affect the overall quality of the wood furniture. Sanding is the first step in the finishing process. Proper sanding will not only make the furniture more smooth, but also take the staining evenly. A good stain enhances the natural beauty of wood and adds color to the wood. A high quality piece is finished well at the outside and inside of the wood furniture.

In brief, high-end wood furniture will be well constructed, well finished and with top quality wood materials.

Because wooden decor varies in finish, style and texture, and due to its well-known beauty and class, it’s an ideal choice for any home or office. It can be refinished to match a selected style, and it is sturdy and simple to worry for, making it a wise investment.

The first benefit that you will get with solid wood is that it is more attractive than the furniture that is made from manufactured wood. Manufactured furniture often has a cheaper look and feel, with a focus on short-term utility over long-term quality and purpose. There nothing romantic about low-grade furniture that has been slapped together while making its way down an assembly line. With solid wood furniture you can feel the quality as soon as you touch it, and if you close your eyes while running your hand over it you can practically see a craftsman carefully crafting each piece.

Another important aspect that you should remember about solid wood furniture is that it will last for ages. Hardwood furniture is the furniture that you buy when you want to have something that will one day be a treasured antique for your family and loved ones. The thing to remember is that even though solid wood does show wear, it can be sanded and refinished. Unlike manufactured wood, which is a very here today, gone tomorrow, solid wood can be repaired and lovingly restored.

Oil may be good for furniture but regularly using polish is not. Furniture polish leaves a dull coating on wood. Over time this will make the wood look more faded. It will just look older and worn out. Wood furniture can be expensive, especially rarer woods like mahogany, cherry, teak. Do not let thousands of dollars go to waste by using polishes when all they need is a bit of oil. Old English and other oils are great but polishes are better left for bowling alleys.

Both hardwood and softwood can be carved into beautiful looking furniture. Softwood is easier to work with, so it’s more common to find patterns on the surface area of the furniture. In general, hardwoods are more difficult to work with. But certain types of hardwood are still versatile enough to be transformed into exquisite art pieces under skillful hands. Such items are rare, and can be costly at times. Having a wide range of designs mean that you can easily find a look that will fit in well with your existing interior decor.

You are looking for great gifts to give around the holidays. Do you have a Christmas list that would give Santa’s a run for his money? If so, you may wish to buy wholesale in order to defray some of the costs that the holidays bring along with them. In conjunction with your decision to do so, you will also earn a reputation for giving high quality stuff instead of boring old Christmas sweaters and packages of socks!

Rubberwood was discovered during the 16th century in Brazil however tree farms were started in Thailand and China. The sap from the tree has been used for many things from tires to condoms. Rubberwood features a nice grain and is widely used in to the furniture from Vietnam, Thailand and China. This type of wood is farmed, therefore is renewable and is durable. Its quality is comparable to oak as it is stronger than some hardwoods.

Certain rooms need to have an uplifting mood. For you, that is going to depend on where you go for that feeling. For example, kitchens are an excellent choice for lighter colors especially if you spend a lot of time in there.

Just remember that choosing your wooden furniture that it can really change the look of a room and can add the tone or mood that you’re looking for!

Thinking about adding high quality furniture to a room that is created to carry on for a life time? Think about solid wood furniture. Constructed from strong materials, solid wood provides furniture that is gorgeous, long lasting and designed to endure. If you are searching for something that will last a lot longer than the cheap particle board stuff you’ll find at the big department stores, and instead would like to possess furniture that can be handed down or actually become a family heirloom, solid wood is a fantastic choice.

When shopping for any kind of furniture, at least a little attention should be given to the manufacturer and the materials the wood is constructed from. Some pieces seem at first glance to be wood but actually are pressed wood particles compressed under a laminate sheet. These pieces simply won’t last as long as true solid wood and care should be taken to avoid buying them by mistake.

Another factor to consider is the cost. Despite the fact that furniture created from real wood is just a little pricier, it will out last any other pieces produced from pressed wood and other low priced materials. Everyone should take in consideration the fact that wood that is taken care of will endure for quite some time; giving the home a quality that bogus wood can’t.

A popular method of acquiring top quality wood furniture is to make contact with businesses that focus in selling Amish goods. Amish-built goods are well-regarded for their particular quality and thanks to effective distribution, they can be discovered nearly anywhere in the United States. The Net is a fantastic place to commence your hunt for Amish-made home furniture.

Different types of wood have various levels of hardness and before you start your search, it makes sense to familiarize yourself with the basics. Of course, different woods have different colors and while stain can alter the hue, it helps to decide whether you’re going to start with a light or dark wood.

All sorts of furniture can be discovered in solid wood. Some of the most frequently found are dining room tables and chairs, armoires and desks of almost all sizes. For the most part, wood furniture can be inexpensive. Naturally the price will frequently reflect the kind of wood and the manufacturer. It can often save some money if the buyer does a little shopping around before committing to a purchase.

Different types of wood can be different in price. The more expensive woods are mahogany and cherry, and on the less expensive side, there is pine and cedar. There are several picks to pick from, so the proper item may be located for an amount which the budget will allow.

It is very common to buy a complete set when looking at wood furniture. For instance, when someone is looking to buy bedroom furniture, they often buy the bed, dresser and bedside tables that match each other. This gives the room a huge amount of style and elegance. It can be the same principal when looking to buy furniture for the rest of the house.

Give your home a unique look and feel with Living Spaces new line of solid and reclaimed wood furniture. These new collections feature solid mango and sheesham wood from renewable forests in Indonesia and Malaysia plus exciting one of a kind accent pieces handcrafted from reclaimed wood in India and the Far East.
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Most people are taking care of their wooden furniture especially solid wood furniture that its price usually higher than others.The treatment is for keeping its beauty and originality. However have taken a good care; there are still any scratches and stains. Therefore, here giving some tips for taking care of solid wood furniture.

At times as small thing can be so useful to clean up furniture.  A felt tipped pens can be used to hide small scratches or use shoe polish on its surface to cover stains. Nevertheless, if there any stains by cups or glasses rough it up using abrasive paper. In addition, for stains of cigarette ash can be roughed up with abrasive paper mixed with cooking oil. To prevent stains from having water rings, always use wooden coaster. Use scratch cover product to hide any scratches on your wooden furniture surface. Use clean cloth to apply and rub on it scratches.

When due may polish the wood furniture twice a year and it is recommended to hire a professional. Do not forget to use a good quality polish to protect your finished wooden furniture to avoid any damage on its finish. Also, avoid using polish containing alcohol or silicone since it can spoil the finish. For a suggestion, do not use chemical cleaner containing ammonia to clean wood furniture. Another solution is using a diluted mild soap for cleaning finish wooden furniture. Alternatively, use olive oil and lemon oil for making furniture polish at your home.

Other tips are always keep dry completely from the water spots, and then apply oil on a soft cloth to rub the watermark. Do not forget avoid placing your wooden furniture in direct sunlight and layer with table cloth to place hot dishes on wooden furniture.

An insight into A World Of Furniture and its eco friendly commitment “buy any piece of furniture and we will plant a tree”. This campaign has been running since November 2008 and has so far contributed to the planting of over 22000 trees and we endeavour to continue for many months and years to come!

It is rather common when you have problem like, unable to decide which furniture you should purcahse nowadays. This is all due to the fact that there’s plethora of furnitures ranging from different styles available in the market. This is why you should take a moment to consider the charm and the grace of solid hardwood furniture. The reason is pure simple, solid wood furniture has more benefits tha the other types of wood furniture. Though it might be more expensive than the others, but it worth every single penny.

In the first place, solid wood is more charming and attractive when compared to others. It obvious when you compare a solid wood furniture with furniture created with plywood. With solid wood, you will only see smooth surfaces from top to the bottom, without spotting those terrible layering of plywood that covered by a fiberboard. With solid wood, you can be sure that people will catch the continuous grain pattern all the way through, displaying the strength and the quality of the wood that you have chosen. It will make your purchasing worth while by just take some time to look into the craftsmanship that goes into making it.

The durability of the solid wood furniture is impeccable, it will last at least more than 10 years or more. The best part is that, solid wood furniture can be refined as time goes by. You can get it sanded and painted with new finishes, perhaps after 10 years? I can guarantee you that it will keep on glowing as if it was bought yesterday for another decades. Unlike manufactured wood, which is a fine here today, gone tomorrow. Solid wood can be repaired and lovingly restored. Many people feel that solid wood furniture only looks better with age, and when you want to make your furniture an investment, you should keep all that in mind about solid wood furniture.

The formaldehyde in manufactured wood can be dangerous to the safety and health of your family.. Many types of wood like plywood and particleboard use formaldehyde as a method of treating the wood and keeping parasites out. However, in solid wood furniture, itself contains a natural chemical that repel those parasites and termites, plus, it is make the wood smell nicer. If you notice that, different solid wood has different smells. So, you can be rest assure when you purchase a solid wood furniture as there’s no dangerous chemical in it.

Judging by the benefits of solid wood furniture alone, you should not be hesitant when you spot a solid wood furniture next time in the furniture store.

If you like wood furnishings you need to learn all that you can about staining wood furniture. Then you can buy bare wood furniture from unfinished shops and turn the furniture into an exceptional part of your house. When you initially get into utilizing stains you should practice on throwaway pieces of wood. Then it won’t matter if your very first initiatives are blotchy or irregular in colour.

Staining wood furniture is actually a technique that virtually anyone can master. It takes a little work and a lot of persistence. It is never possible to stain the wood until it is sanded and is fully smooth. You also have to make sure you are working with a dust free surface or you won’t get the finish you would like.

Certain types of wood are more difficult to stain compared to others. They include pine, birch, maple and cherry so you might want to avoid these ones should you be a beginner. The key to a great finish is to partly seal the wood before you apply the stain. This will prevent the issue of some parts of the furniture being more porous than others.

Try applying a number of coats of stain for getting the desired result instead of going for a single coat of a darker stain. Just like paint can look different on a wall then it did in a tin, so too can stains. It is easier to build up the color than it is to correct a piece that is way too dark. Don’t forget that a coat of varnish will improve the look of most stains. This is why you have to test the process on some extra pieces as you can test the final results to see if they are what you would like in the furniture pieces. Staining wood furniture isn’t an exact science as you are managing a natural material but you can certainly make your job less difficult if you follow certain steps.