With the
hardwood used in the manufacturing of our furniture each board has its own story.
You can rest in the fact that your solid hardwood furnishings look like no other.
The
hardwoods used originate mostly from forest east of the
Mississippi. It takes approximately 60 years for a hardwood tree to reach
maturity. As it does, each tree has its own story, its own unique grain patterns
and textures. When you get to know this tree, the individual boards reflect this
unique process.
• The
tree's main story is written in its unique grain pattern. Grain patterns are
made by the tree's growth rings - one for each year.
• A board's
knots mark the growth of limbs that extended from the main trunk.
• Color
variations are a standard trademark of hardwoods. The outside or younger wood is
lighter than the inside core where the wood is usually darker. Other color
variations are created by minerals and other elements affecting the tree's
growth.
• The
durability and integrity of our hardwood furniture is not affected by these
naturally occurring variations, in fact, these variations are exactly what most
people want, giving the warmth and charm of individuality.
Don't Accept Synthetic Substitutes!
Solid
hardwood pieces have many synthetic substitutes. Don't accept them! Solid
hardwoods have become the standard in top quality home furnishings.
What
you may think looks like a solid hardwood table may very well be a cheap,
synthetic substitute. Ask questions. Take a critical look at all aspects of the
table. Artificial wood substitutes will never look quite as authentic, won't
hold screws as well, nor will it bear the shock, stresses or loads of the daily
life of your furnishings.
Be cautious
when you hear the term "solid oak pedestal table" because true it is that only
the pedestal is solid. The top, which is most important, could be anything from
particle board to veneer to chip core, and is not water resistant.
Solid wood
means that each part is made of genuine hardwood lumber. Nothing else.
"All wood"
is often counterfeit, and is the term used to describe thin slices of veneer
bonded to composite boards of plywood.
Artificial
laminates are surfaces made of plastic or other synthetic materials bonded,
again, to composite boards or plywood.
Be sure the
furniture you are looking at has a water resistant finish and a guarantee to back
it.
Terms such
as "Oak Finish" may refer to the color of the wood pattern printed on the
artificial surface. It does not mean that the furniture is authentic hardwood.
Real or imitation?
Not sure if
you're buying solid hardwood or a cheap imitation?
A check
point is the glue joints. Put you finger on a glue joint and trace it along the
top of the surface, over the edge and, and to the underside. If the line
disappears its probably an imitation. Solid hardwood joints on the other hand
can be traced across the top, the side, and the underside.