No one wants to buy something and later finds out it was not worth the money they paid. The same applies to wooden furniture. If you buy outdoor furnishings to spruce up your outdoor space, it is essential to get wooden furniture that can withstand the outdoors.
It’s easy to determine the quality of wood you are purchasing if you have the basic knowledge. You don’t need to be an expert when it comes to wood to be able to determine if a furniture is made of quality wood and excellent craftsmanship. You only need a keen eye for details to ensure you get the best quality. In this article, we give you pointers to determine if you have bought quality wooden furniture.
Type of wood
The wood used to make your furniture is one of the factors that will determine how long you will use that piece of furniture. Wooden furniture is made from different types of wood such as softwood, hardwood, or engineered. Quality furniture is usually made from hardwood derived from trees such as teak, mahogany, birch, oak tree, etc.
Furniture made from hardwood can withstand the elements and is low maintenance, you can get it untreated, which will still be good enough, and some can also be treated. Some hardwood also ages well by changing into a lovely silver grey color and can last you years. To determine if your furniture is made from hardwood, you can check whether it scratches easily. Hardwood doesn’t dent or scratch easily.
Furniture made from softwood is also good quality but must be taken care of because they are more prone to dents and scratches. For outdoor furniture, it is ideal to use furniture made from hardwood because it will be exposed to harsh weather conditions. For indoor furnitures, you may use furniture made from softwood. For example, when purchasing a teak garden set you are sure that it’s made from teak a strong and durable hardwood, not from any other type of wood.
How the furniture is constructed
The way your furniture was made will contribute to its aesthetic, functionality, and how long it will last. How a table or chair is joined will tell you a lot about its quality. A few of the common joints you will see are dovetails, mortise, and tenons. These are more appealing and will make the furniture last longer and be strong. If you notice any staples or glue showing at the joints, that particular piece is not of good quality.
Check the finishing
How a piece is finished will also determine the overall quality. Sanding, staining, and finishing are usually the steps taken to ensure a product is perfect. If you neglect any stage of this process, the product will come out of poor quality.
When you touch your furniture, your hand should run smoothly over it, and there shouldn’t be any rough patches. Sanding makes furniture have a smooth finish. A smooth finish is essential to ensure that any paint or stain will adhere to the wood without any issues and will last a long time. Inspect the furniture from different angles to spot scratches and unevenness. A piece that is not sanded well will not stain well. A well-stained wood adds color and character to the furniture. Quality staining will not have any dark spots.
High-quality finishes range from a high gloss, semi-satin and matte finish. Your piece should be shiny and smooth with no bubbles, spots, or dust specks. If there are signs of bubbles, that is a sign that the wood was not treated and still has moisture which could lead to deterioration. The finish should have depth and richness and be finished on the underside to avoid shrinking and swelling.
