Wood is the preferred material in the furniture manufacturing industry. The elegant and sophisticated charm of wooden furniture pieces cannot be replicated by furniture made from metals or plastic. While designing wooden furniture pieces, furniture is the most sought after timber in the furniture industry.
Strong and durable solid oak furniture
Oak is noted for its hardness. This hardwood is widely used by carpenters for constructing indoor as well as outdoor furniture. Among the different types of oak timbers, the English or the European oak is considered the toughest. This traditional material for creating timber frames of buildings, flooring and furniture is touted to be as strong as steel. With minimal care, solid furniture lasts for several generations. The durability of oak can be gauged from the fact that several stately mansions still boast of elaborately designed antique furniture pieces. The natural tannin content of oak protects it from insects and fungus. Waxing the wooden furniture occasionally enhances the stain and scratch resistant properties of the furniture.
Types of oak
Although all types of oak furniture share the aforementioned features, the quality of the timber varies according to the species. About 600 species of furniture are found around the world. They are found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, America and Asia. The oak species in Europe are considered superior to that found in America. The English oak is among the strongest and durable oak species. The grain of the natural pale brown colored lumbar is straight and course, making it one of the popular hardwoods for furniture making. Furniture constructed with English furniture lasts a lifetime.
The quality of furniture is also determined by its growing condition. Even timbers of the same species exhibit slightly different properties when grown in different regions. Oak procured from well drained areas are easiest to work. They have the finest quality grains. Moreover, the timber is resistant to moisture, making it a suitable material for crafting garden furniture. Oaks grown in humid climate that are occasionally flooded have coarser grains. Nonetheless, they are durable and resistant to moisture and harsh weather conditions.
The red and white oaks are abundant in the cool temperate forests of the Northern hemisphere. The pinkish red shade of red furniture makes it a popular material for designing attractive solid oak furniture. The grains of white oak tend to be longer than that of white oak. With medium to coarse texture, it is durable and moisture resistant.
