Unfinished Oak Furniture: The Department Store Alternative
We all know we could go to the local department store today, get a some assembly required mishmash of wood and particle board, and have ourselves a fairly serviceable piece of furniture within the hour (longer if we're missing pieces). We also know that desk or entertainment center will probably be broken within the year. You would do better on your investment if you were to find a more expensive, but better made piece that will last you for years to come.
Oak is a good middle of the road wood to go with if you're looking for something that will last but don't want to break the budget. There are antique oak pieces dating back hundreds of years ago, so this is a material that's can easily hold out for a lifetime.
For these reasons, oak furniture is actually fairly common. Not all this furniture is necessarily well made however. To give yourself the best chance of spotting solid workmanship from cheap impostors, you may want to choose unfinished furniture.
Wood stain and especially paint are often used to cover up mistakes made by the builder. If you choose unfinished furniture there will be nothing to hide the actual build of the furniture, and you will be able to be more discerning in your choice.
When trying to determine how solid a piece is, it's important to look at the joints where the individual pieces of wood come together. This is the part that will really determine how sturdy your furniture is, so be sure to check for any signs of loose connections.
Knots in the wood is also something to watch out for. If these are loose they may come out, leaving an indentation in your furniture. If you are looking for a more rustic look you may prefer this, but if you'd rather have smooth lines stay away from furniture with a great number of knots.
Be sure to ask any questions you may have. If the staff in the store is knowledgeable they should be able to help you. If the store is small, you may even be speaking to the craftsman himself.
A few extra hours spend in finding quality pieces will pay off in years of good use.
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Tags: bedroom furnishing, craftsmanship, furnishing, furniture, home, home decorating, oak furniture, quality furniture, unfinished furniture, wood working, Woodworking
October 09 2009 03:56 am | Woodworking