Furniture Materials – What You Need to Know Before Buying

When you’re buying furniture, the type of material it is made from can have a big impact on its appearance and functionality. The best choice depends on the kind of aesthetic you want and your budget.

Wood is a popular furniture material that’s strong and versatile. It can withstand harsh weather and is suitable for outdoor furniture.

Wood

When wood furniture is made well, it lasts for years. It also helps create a natural feeling in the home. There are many different types of wood, ranging from light maple to rich mahogany. The color and grain pattern of each type can help determine a style. The wood can be finished with a variety of oils that protect it from scratches and stains.

While it can be hard to tell how well a piece of wood furniture has been constructed in just one glance, you can often pick out quality pieces from the rest by examining their construction. Look for solid legs, sanded joints, and drawers that open and close smoothly.

Solid wood comes from a single piece of lumber, while engineered or manufactured woods combine multiple pieces together. For example, particle board is created from pressed wood fibers and glue. Solid wood is durable and sturdy and can withstand jostling during transport much better than furniture that has been glued or stapled together.

Metal

When choosing a furniture material, it is vital to consider its durability. A durable material is long-lasting and requires less maintenance, saving you money in the long run. It is also important to choose a material that can meet your functional requirements. For example, if you are shopping for outdoor furniture, look for a metal that can withstand the elements.

Furniture made from metals is resilient and can last a lifetime. It is also sturdier than other materials such as wood or plastic, making it a great option for outdoor furniture and spaces where movement is expected. However, metal furniture can be heavy and difficult to move around.

Furniture made from metal can be crafted into unique styles and designs with the help of new production technologies. Aluminum alloys and wrought iron are popular choices for metal furniture because of their resistance to corrosion. These metals can also be treated with rust-resistant applications to extend their lifespan.

Concrete

Concrete has long been prized for its strength and durability. It’s no surprise, then, that civilisations from as far back as the Mesopotamian and Roman Empires utilised it in roads and walls. However, modern furniture designers have found creative and unconventional ways to utilise concrete – for example, creating concrete coffee tables and indoor/outdoor fireplaces.

The most common type of concrete used for furniture is GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete). This has an advantage over traditional Portland concrete in that it can be coloured and textured to suit interior design schemes. It also has a higher compressive strength than traditional concrete and, because of this, is less prone to cracking. It’s also incredibly durable and easy to clean, with just a quick wipe over required.

Leather

If you’re looking for a leather piece, be sure to ask how the leather is created. Whether you’re going for the rich look of aniline leather or the durability of corrected grain leather, you’ll want to know what the hide was made from and where it was tanned.

The tanning process converts the protein in rawhide into a durable material. This can be done with mineral tanning or vegetable tanning. Mineral tanning uses a harsh chemical while vegetable tanning uses plant matter.

Corrected grain leather is ideal for high-traffic areas because it has a protective coating to resist staining. Nubuck leather is suede’s tougher cousin and feels like a flannel to the touch. It’s also water resistant. When purchasing furniture online, always request an invoice. Be sure that the dimensions, country of origin, frame construction and warranty information are listed clearly on the invoice. This will ensure that you’re getting a quality product that you can trust.