As you are well aware, all wood is not created equal. More importantly, all materials that appear to be wood aren’t exactly what they’re made up to be.
Being structurally sound, there is nothing inherently wrong with composite woods. It goes without saying, however, that the durability and natural appearance of composite woods and other materials cannot compare to the wholeness of hardwoods.
While there is a vast amount of hardwoods from which furniture is constructed, we’re going to focus on three common, preferred varieties:
Cherry
A popular choice among novice and experienced furniture purveyors alike for its warm glow, highly visible grain and its characteristic luster. While numerous parts of the plant are used in a variety of ways, cherry wood is most often used to construct cabinets, furniture, musical instruments and more. Cherry wood that has been immediately processed and put to use tends to be lighter than the ‘cherry’ look people come to expect. This rich, darker color will appear as the wood ages a bit. This process can usually take a year or so.
Oak
Two types of oak that are popular furniture options are the red and white varieties. Both types are located heavily throughout the Eastern United States. Oak is a hardy wood that is prized for its strength as well as natural, moisture-resistant qualities. This wood is naturally light in tone, however it is not uncommon to come across dark brown variations.
Walnut
This wood is prized for its hardiness and overall versatility. Commonly seen in the construction of furniture, this wood takes to staining extremely well and is often used as a veneer because of it.
Many times, the choice whether or not to purchase furniture constructed solely of hardwoods is not so much a matter of preference as it is a matter of expense. Quality hardwood furniture can be found for reasonable prices and if chosen properly, will be a purchase you will enjoy for many years to come.