Between the two, I believe most people would think that solid wood is environmentally friendly and natural in furniture, and has excellent feel and texture, but it is relatively not so friendly in price. For people with limited budgets, they can only settle for second best. Board materials are the most common choice nowadays. Although the texture is not as good as solid wood and the service life is shorter, it has good stability and can well meet the needs of modern home decoration. It can also adapt to the humid climate in the south.

solid wood furniture

Solid wood furniture refers to furniture made of solid wood. According to the wood material, there are beech, teak, maple, oak, red toon, ash, elm, poplar, pine, etc. Among them, teak and red toon are the most valuable.

/Pine/ : There are two main types of materials used for pine furniture, Masson pine and Scots pine; the texture is relatively clear and the wood quality is also better.

(pine)

/Manchurian ash/ : The most widely used decorative panel is Manchurian ash panel, which belongs to the genus Fraxinus of the Oleaceae family.

The grain is beautiful and clear. When used as a veneer or furniture, varnishing or whitewashing can maximize its beautiful pattern, which is suitable for modern minimalist style. However, solid wood furniture is prone to deformation, so if ash wood is used as a solid wood, it is generally spliced with small wood pieces.

Teak : Teak furniture is relatively expensive, generally favored by collectors or those with greater financial resources. Teak's surface is rich in oil and feels smooth, but due to its price, solid teak furniture is rare on the market. Lower-grade teak, dull in color and lacking in oiliness, is often used as flooring, which explains the generally darker color of teak floors.

(Teak)

Teak is the most stable of all solid woods, resisting warping or cracking despite exposure to the sun, rain, and significant changes in humidity. It's also water- and fire-resistant, resistant to termites and marine insects, and extremely resistant to decay. It also dries well and has excellent adhesive, paint, wax, and nail-holding properties. Indeed, its high price is justified!

/Black walnut/ : Black walnut is chocolate-colored with a darker luster and a somewhat "matte" feel. It looks soft overall, has smooth texture, few large annual rings, and has a strong overall integrity.

(Dark Walnut)

Although the color is a bit darker, Sister Yan feels that it looks more textured when paired with light colors such as marble and white walls, and the unique temperament of wooden furniture is easier to exude.

/Cherry wood/ : This type of wood has a warm color, brown with a hint of red. It is generally produced in North America. The price of imported wood is relatively high. The wood itself dries quickly, so the structure of furniture made from it is stable and strong.

(Cherry wood)

/White oak/ : Oak is generally divided into white oak and red oak. Most oak furniture is made of white oak, which has a high density. Although it is hard and heavy, it has strong bending properties. It can be made into many shapes and looks better in texture.

(White Oak)

However, Yan friends need to pay attention to the fact that rubber wood is often used as white oak in the market. Although there is only one letter difference, the quality is not a little bit worse. The texture of rubber wood is not clear, it has a high sugar content and is prone to insects. It is not resistant to corrosion and wear, and is a relatively cheap wood.

(Rubberwood)

/Maple/ : The color and texture are simple, and the color is relatively uniform. The style of furniture made from it is elegant and grand, which is very suitable for friends who like simple colors. It has a long service life and is wear-resistant and durable. The only disadvantage is that maple grows in the south, and it is prone to warping in the dry environment of the north.

(maple)

Having said so much, it is necessary to understand the advantages and disadvantages of solid wood furniture, so that it will be more convenient for everyone to choose the material that suits their needs.

advantage :

1: Natural, environmentally friendly and healthy solid wood furniture reveals the beauty of nature and primitiveness; and solid wood has a long service life, basically ranging from a dozen to several decades.

2: Solid wood furniture has the function of preserving value. It can bring a warm wooden atmosphere, and the natural pattern is simple and beautiful.

3: The utilization rate of solid wood material is relatively high, which is more in line with environmental protection principles.

shortcoming :

1: The biggest disadvantage of solid wood furniture is probably its easy deformation (it does not mean that it will definitely deform, there are many influencing factors, such as workmanship, raw materials, climate, etc.). It is relatively "delicate" to maintain. Try to avoid direct sunlight, excessive cold or heat, excessive dryness or humidity, or excessive changes in temperature and humidity, which will easily cause deformation and cracking.

2: In order to maintain the glossiness of solid wood furniture, you need to be more patient in taking care of it. It would be better to wipe it with wood wax oil regularly.

Panel furniture

Panel furniture generally refers to furniture made of artificial boards. Currently, the main types of boards used for furniture include Egger board, core board (blockboard), plywood, particle board (chipboard), density board (fiberboard), etc. There is also the formaldehyde-free Hexiang board.

/EGGER BOARD/ : The first thing to talk about is naturally EGGER BOARD, which should be the most commonly used panel furniture material nowadays. It has stable performance and its environmental protection level reaches the European E1 level.

About E grade: According to Sister Yan's consultation with various parties, the E grade standard originated from EGGER in Germany and later became the European standard. It is an environmental protection standard for the limit level of formaldehyde emission. The European standard is divided into two levels, E1 and E2: E2≤1.5mg/L, E1≤0.5mg/L.

However, the national standard E-level is not the same as the European standard E-level. As can be seen from the picture below, there is exactly one level difference.

As for the E0-grade board marked in China, Sister Yan has really consulted a lot of information. Both merchants and buyers have their own opinions. To be honest, I also want to give everyone the most accurate reference, but there are different opinions. Some merchants say that E0 grade is the safest and most environmentally friendly, suitable for families with elderly and children. Some merchants say that it is just a guise under the sign of safety. To be on the safe side, Sister Yan recommends that when looking for a merchant, ask them to produce a formal formaldehyde test certificate. If any of you have done research on this, you can also share it in the comment area. Looking forward to it!

Moreover, the Egger board base material is covered with a specially impregnated surface layer that is scratch-resistant, acid-resistant and alkali-resistant, so it is often used in kitchen furniture.

The materials are selected from coniferous species that grow in the cold zones of the European continent. They overcome many shortcomings of natural wood and have stable physical properties that are not easy to deform. Therefore, you will find that although it has been used for a long time, as long as it is properly maintained, it will have the "illusion" of looking like a new product.

/Hexiang Board/ : Speaking of Hexiang Board, perhaps its biggest advantage is that it is the first new type of ecological and environmentally friendly artificial board in China that does not release formaldehyde. It is precisely because of this advantage that it is more attractive to families with elderly and children. Sister Yan was very excited when she saw it.

Because its main raw material is crushed straw, plus MDI glue and functional additives, it is made through high temperature and high pressure. It is flat and smooth, has a uniform and symmetrical structure, a solid board surface, good stability, high strength and environmental protection are its advantages.

Yan is particularly keen to praise its flame-retardant properties, as straw fibers are rich in silica, a natural fire retardant. Fire-resistant board products can be used directly in public spaces without any fireproofing treatment. When exposed to fire, they simply carbonize and do not spread.

/Particleboard/ : The solid wood particle board currently on the market is particleboard. It has good sound absorption and sound insulation properties, but its edges are rough and easy to absorb moisture, so the requirements for edge sealing technology are relatively high. Otherwise, it is easy to get damp and moldy after a period of use, which is very troublesome to think about.

/Blockboard/ : Blockboard is commonly known as core board, which belongs to the category of plywood. It is made of two thin veneers and a wooden board using a board splicing machine. Generally speaking, the total thickness of the veneer glued on both sides is not less than 3mm. The board surface is beautiful, the width is large, and it is easy to use. It is often used to make doors and windows, partitions, false walls, radiator covers, etc.

/MAT/ : The surface of MAT is smooth and flat, the material is fine, the performance is stable, the edges are firm, and the surface of the board is decorative, but the moisture resistance is poor; the nail holding force is worse than that of particle board. For example, if the screw becomes loose after being tightened, it will be difficult to fix it in the same position and it can only be fixed in another position.

However, Sister Yan would like to remind everyone that the biggest disadvantage of density board is that it is not moisture-proof and will swell when exposed to water. Therefore, if you want to use density board for skirting boards, door panels, window sills, etc., you must paint each surface with waterproof paint so that it is not easy to deform.

Better panel furniture has always been the first choice for most families because of its cost-effectiveness and stability. So, Sister Yan will also talk about its advantages and disadvantages for your reference.

advantage :

1: Easy to assemble and disassemble: The panels of panel furniture are usually connected by metal hardware, which makes it easy to assemble and disassemble and transport.

2: Fast production cycle and diverse shapes: Most of the components of panel furniture are machined and manufactured, with fast production speed; and the appearance design is diverse, with a variety of veneers, and there are more options in color and texture.

3: Stable shape, not easy to deform: The panels of panel furniture break the original physical structure of wood, so they are not greatly affected by temperature and humidity and have stable properties.

shortcoming :

1: Not natural enough: The board material cannot achieve the natural effect of natural wood, giving people a "fake" feeling. The surface is flat but feels stiff.

2: Not environmentally friendly: Some manufacturers use low-priced panels. If the edge banding and veneer process is not good, it is easy to release formaldehyde that is harmful to the human body. However, regular, especially branded panel furniture, have undergone strict processing and inspection, so Sister Yan recommends that everyone must choose regular manufacturers for customization.

For example, the price of custom furniture is generally calculated per square meter. Depending on the wood and material, the price of solid wood and board materials ranges from a few hundred to several thousand yuan per square meter. The range of ready-made furniture is much wider, and the price can vary from tens to thousands or even tens of thousands of yuan depending on the material.

Generally speaking, the service life of solid wood furniture can reach more than 10 years or even longer, and the service life of panel furniture is generally 3-10 years, but it will also vary according to different usage habits, climate and other external factors.

/Edge banding process/：

After the furniture is completed, it is usually edge-banded. On the one hand, it is for aesthetics, and on the other hand, it is to reinforce the wood. Good edge banding will make the furniture more durable and wear-resistant.

/Hardware accessories/ :

For example, the hinges, hinges, handles, etc. of the wardrobe will directly affect the user experience and lifespan if they are broken, and it will be troublesome to replace them, so for hardware accessories, you should try to choose brands with good quality.

/Install/ :

Installation is also a very strict part of custom furniture. Improper size, gaps, etc. will directly affect the service life and user experience. I believe that many people who have renovated their furniture will have the experience that the furniture designer needs to visit the site to confirm the size repeatedly before customization to avoid any problems.

/Daily Maintenance/ :

No matter how exquisite the furniture craftsmanship is, its service life will be shortened if it is not properly maintained. Therefore, you need to wipe and maintain it in time to extend its service life.

Speaking of this, Sister Yan also interviewed several homeowners and learned from them about the state of the wood and their feelings after using it for a period of time. I will share this with you as a reference:

@DeerAhQ

The solid wood furniture in my home has been used for four years. The wood color is deeper, more delicate and glossy. Compared with panel furniture, it has a more high-end feel and shows no signs of aging. It feels great to use.

(Floor price 4,200 yuan, white cedar)

If I had to say which one I prefer, I prefer ash wood because it is a little thicker, while cherry wood is relatively thinner. You can choose according to your needs.

(TV cabinet 3800 yuan, ash wood)

Maintenance is not too difficult for me, just wax it daily.

(Sideboard 2800 yuan, cherry wood)

@Jingbao

My home is currently made entirely of solid wood furniture. On the one hand, it is more environmentally friendly, and on the other hand, I like the feeling that wood becomes more flavorful as time goes by. I have been using it for about a year and a half. Walnut wood will become lighter under strong sunlight, while cherry wood will become darker and redder.

Daily waxing is generally done with wood wax oil. When you first start using it, apply it once a month. After about half a year, change it to once every three months. It is not difficult to maintain and not as troublesome as you might imagine.

@Straight People

I think time is the best and most natural way to maintain wood. The beds, shelves, and wardrobes in my home are basically made of wood. The bed is made of old elm, and the coffee table is made of STRAIGHT birch. I have used them for more than a year and have never applied wax, but they become more "glossy" and more aged with use.

(floor)

(coffee table)

@Vanessa

Because I love wooden furniture, my home is filled with furniture made of various woods, including teak, catalpa, black walnut, cherry, and ash. Each type of wood has its own characteristics, and after living here for five years, almost all woods have gradually darkened.

The TV cabinet and bed are made of ash wood, which easily turns yellow after being exposed to light. You can add light-proof curtains to block it.

The light color of cherry wood darkens to a color similar to teak. It is a relatively hard wood, not easy to deform and as easy to maintain as black walnut.

Maintenance is not too difficult, but in the northern season when there is heating, it is best to keep wooden furniture away from the heater, otherwise excessive evaporation of moisture will easily cause the wood to deform and crack; in addition, if there are scratches or bumps, you can lightly polish it with sandpaper and apply wood wax oil.

After reading these user experiences, do you feel more confident? This article about furniture, which is full of practical information, ends here. I hope it can help you who are struggling. However, I still have to say that choosing wood is related to health and environmental protection. It is still necessary to learn more and make more choices.