The Inside Story: How Wood Furniture is Built

Wood furniture adds warmth and distinction to a room's dιcor and helps you and your family enjoy the activities you love most, from watching a favorite movie to sharing a meal.

To make shopping for wood furniture easier, the American Furniture Manufacturers Association offers guidelines for consumers who want to purchase the best quality within their price range.

"Armed with the right questions – and answers – you can choose wood furniture with confidence," says Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president.

Here are questions you should ask when shopping for wood furniture:

What kind of wood is right for you?

All wood used for furniture falls into two categories: hardwood and softwood. Hardwood tends to be more durable than softwood, but these terms actually refer to the kind of tree that produced the wood, rather than the strength of the wood itself.

Hardwood trees – like oak, cherry and maple – lose their leaves seasonally. Softwood trees – like cedar and pine – keep their foliage all year. The most important fact is that quality furniture is available in both types of wood.

Each wood species has a natural color – from pale yellow (pine) to reddish brown (cherry) to dark chocolate brown (walnut) – and its own set of physical characteristics. For example, cherry has a uniform, straight grain and naturally contains brown flecks. Maple sometimes has a "curly" or "birds-eye" figure in the grain. Walnut produces a variety of wavy or curly patterns in the grain.

In addition to these natural variations, there are differences in color and graining because of the way each piece of wood reacts to the various stains and finishes used in manufacturing.

The beauty of buying wood furnishings is that no two pieces are exactly the same. Even among "matched" chairs in a dining set, there are variations in color and grain.

How is the piece constructed?

"Solid wood" means that the piece is made of solid boards, which may be softwood or hardwood lumber. Sometimes several thinner boards are glued together to make the wood more stable and to reduce the chance of warping.

A block of wood consisting of several smaller pieces of wood glued together also is considered solid wood. This block can be carved into different furniture components such as table legs, chair backs or bedposts.

"Engineered wood" also is used in furniture construction. Engineered wood is made from slices of wood (plywood) or the pieces of wood that remain after a tree is milled into lumber (particleboard or "medium density fiberboard"). Furnishings made with engineered wood are sometimes described as "all wood."

Plywood panels often are used as back pieces for chests and cabinets. Bonding together thin slices of wood creates plywood. Placing the slices at right angles makes the panel much more stable and resistant to warping.

Particleboard consists of chips of wood coated with glue and pressed into a sheet. Particleboard is often used for table tops and the tops and sides of chests.

Medium density fiberboard, or MDF, is created by breaking down wood chips into fibers and mixing these with an ultra-strong adhesive resin. When fused under intense heat and pressure, the resulting panel has consistent, uniform strength, is resistant to warping, cracking and splitting, and has no knots or other surface imperfections. MDF is used in all types of furniture.

Veneers are used in both "solid wood" and "all wood" construction. This refers to the application of thin layers of surface wood on top of a solid wood, plywood or MDF core. Veneering affords manufacturers the ability to match grain patterns or create intricate designs. Some of the most expensive furniture is masterfully crafted using beautiful veneers.

How is the furniture finished?

Clear finishes allow the wood's natural markings and grain to show, while stains and painted finishes alter the wood's appearance.

Some pieces have an elaborate finish achieved through many layers of lacquer or paint applied to achieve a weathered or aged look. Others may feature a gleaming, polished finish for a more contemporary look. Naturally, these more complex finishes add significantly to the cost of the furniture.

Ask your retailer to explain signs or tags that refer to the finish. A piece described as having a "cherry finish" may not necessarily be constructed of cherry wood. It may simply refer to the color of the stain applied or even to the color of the artificial laminate surface.

How do I evaluate workmanship?

Wood furnishings are easily evaluated. Do doors and drawers open and close easily? Do they fit well? Is the hardware attached securely and straight? Run your hand across the surface. is the finish free of drips and bubbles? The piece should not wobble or creak.

Don't be afraid to look closely and ask questions. Turn chairs upside down and examine the joints. Are they snug and free of excess glue? Are drawer interiors smooth? How are drawer fronts attached? Higher quality pieces will have "dovetail" joints in which wedge-shaped tenons on one side fit into corresponding spaces on the other side to form interlocking joints. Look for support blocks on drawer bottoms and "dust panels" between drawers.

When evaluating tables, you may need to get down on all fours to see whether corners are reinforced and legs are securely attached. If you are considering a table with leaves, make sure to have the opening and closing mechanism or technique demonstrated.

"Well-made furniture is easy to find in all price ranges and styles," said Hirschhaut. "Educating yourself before shopping will help ensure you get the best your budget will allow."