Solid woodworking and veneered pieces are both seen frequently when furniture shopping, and for those unfamiliar with the terms, it might raise questions. What are the differences, and which one suits my needs more? Luckily, we have a handy guide to all your questions about veneer furniture and solid wood furniture, so you can make the best decision on which one works best for your home!
What is Solid Wood?
Solid wood is made of large, solid pieces of wood, as the name implies. The lumber undergoes minimal processing beyond that needed to make it stable, sturdy, attractive, and fit for furniture-making. The final piece will have all the characteristic features and figuring associated with natural wood, such as whorls, knots, grain patterns, and pitting–each piece is unique, with its own charm and rustic character. However, this can also mean pieces don’t match perfectly, which is an important consideration when picking out your dream furnishings!
If you’re looking for sturdy, long-lasting, and durable natural furniture, solid wood is the way to go. Well-crafted wood furniture can last for generations if cared for properly, and is often easier to repair than a damaged veneer piece would be. If you have high-traffic areas, such as a dining table and chairs, solid wood will out-perform veneer, especially when used in legs and pedestals. However, natural wood furniture is sensitive to environmental changes in humidity, temperature, and pressure, and can slightly expand and contract over time–while quality craftsmanship will account for this, it’s important to keep in mind when considering what furniture will best fit your home.
Solid wood furniture is often thought of as the face of high-quality, handmade wooden furniture, and with good reason. That being said, high-quality furniture does not always have to be solid wood! Veneer has its place in the furniture world, and in certain applications would be much preferred over solid wood–but first, it’s important to understand what veneer furniture actually is!
What is Veneer?
Veneer furniture is almost always made up of wood as well, but the difference lies in the manufacturing process. The bulk of veneer furniture is made up of a more cost-effective material than solid wood, such as particleboard, fiberboard, or plywood, with a thin layer of the more desirable or expensive wood adhered to the visible surfaces. This gives off the look of a premium piece, without the added cost. But veneer furniture is more than just a cost-cutting method–in certain use-cases it can be more desirable than solid wood furniture!
Veneer furniture can offer an aesthetic benefit not often found in solid wood furniture, with a more uniform appearance and little visual difference from solid wood furniture if applied well. It has the benefit of being more controlled in appearance, without the unique character of solid wood–it often looks smoother and more uniform, without the physical bumps and dips you might see in solid wood furniture. The wood used in veneer is often selected carefully to use the most attractive parts of the lumber, especially in high-end pieces.
Furthermore, veneer furniture can have use-case preferences over solid wood. The inner construction for high-quality veneer furniture tends to be more stable and suitable for a wide variety of applications, and is more resistant to environmental shifts in humidity and temperature. Veneer can also be lighter than solid wood, making it easier to be picked up and moved, and may be more suitable for hanging or anchored applications such as cabinets or shelves.
The major downside of veneer furniture is that it is difficult to repair, and prone to certain types of damage such as peeling and chipping on the edges. Damaged veneer ruins the illusion of the wood finish, and can be frustrating to fix once the peeling has started. Unlike solid wood, veneer furniture cannot be easily sanded down, patched, and re-finished. While most high-end veneers are made with a lifetime of durability in mind, consider the intended applications for your furniture when determining whether veneer is right for you.
To sum it up: if you want durability and a timeless, heirloom piece of furniture, solid wood is a solid choice! If you’re looking for a beautiful but affordable piece, veneer furniture might be right for you. Stop by either our Chester Springs or Pottstown furniture store locations today, and see the options that await you at Moore’s Furniture!
Images in this article via Freepik.
