Weighing Up Different Timbers
When on the hunt for timber furniture, you’ll probably come across a variety of different types of materials and construction techniques. Timber veneers and solid timbers are the two major contenders in timber furniture. Simply put, a veneer is a thin sheet laid over a base structure such as a reconstituted timber. The veneer is glued on top of the base structure to give the impression of being the same timber all the way through, without this actually being the case.
Solid timber refers to solid planks of timber which are usually glued together. This creates a very natural appearance and a sturdy end product. A more rare use of solid timber is when solid slabs are used to construct furniture. While solid timber is generally slightly more expensive than veneer, solid slabs are definitely the most expensive option due to their rarity. Solid timber slabs are usually one single piece of timber cut from a tree trunk. They are undeniably stunning, and if you are looking for a rustic appearance and have the budget for a solid slab, they may be worth looking at.
One of the upsides to timber veneers as opposed to solid timber is that a uniform surface can be created. Unlike the natural colour changes and holes that are often found in solid timber, timber veneers can be placed so as to avoid this change in surface. Veneers also evade the shrinking and cracking that can occur in a piece of solid timber. Some pieces of furniture will use a combination of veneer and solid timber, such as using veneer on doors and drawer fronts to avoid expansion. Veneer now makes up a large majority of timber furniture on the Australian market.
So what to choose? This questions is really of your own personal taste. Timber veneers are very durable however, one added advantage of solid timber is that it can be sanded back and re-polished. If you are looking for a dining table to last a lifetime, you may go for a solid timber, however if you generally update your furniture every ten years or so, a timber veneer product is a great choice also. Timber veneer has an added advantage if you don’t like the imperfections that come from the surface of solid timber. However, the natural appearance of solid timber furniture can be very beautiful and if you are seeking a rustic appearance, then solid timber may be suited to you. Either way, it’s all about weighing up what suits the space, style and budget that you are looking for.
Tempo Dining Table Chev Dining Table
(Timber Veneer) (Solid Timber)
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