The type of material can allow an object to last for a long time, or cause it to be rendered useless or unusable when conditions are unfavorable to the material. Today, furniture is made from all sorts of materials, most of them some form of wood.  Either solid or engineered wood materials.

"Solid wood"....until the turn of the century all furniture was made of solid wood.  Solid wood consists of long, uninterrupted fibers that gives it strength and durability. 70% of the tree is made into solid wood boards.

"Engineered materials" these inventions were helpful in that they made efficient use of 30% waste produced by the solid wood industries. But have always had limitations, especially when it comes to furniture.

HISTORY "Particle Board" was developed in the 1940's and began sneaking in furniture and cabinets in the 1950's. manufactured from wood particles, such as wood chips, shavings, or even saw dust, and and mixed with a synthetic resin or other suitable binder, which is pressed and extruded. "MDF Board" Medium Density Fiberboard was developed in 1960's. This is a refined particle board which uses smaller wood residuals, combining it with wax and a resin binder forming panels by apply high temperature and pressure.

People are often confused about what particle board is and when they should use it. In general, particle wood is a building material made from wood dust, chips and flakes that have been combined with resin and then formed into panels in a process using heat and pressure.

The smoothest variety is called MDF or medium density fiberboard and is typically used as a core material for countertops. Some cabinets are also made from this.

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Solid Wood vs MDF board

Some furniture makers use MDF and even command top prices,  but in our opinion MDF is not a suitable material for furniture.

• MDF is an acronym for Medium Density Fiberboard,  also known as particleboard. A manufactured material made essentially of glue and sawdust, the material has a weight and strength similar to real wood but there are many differences. It can be very difficult for the average furniture buyer to see the difference between a carefully veneered MDF board and a solid wood top.

• MDF can absorb moisture,  and when it does it expands often ruining the surface of the "wood". Typically covered with a laminated wood surface, the expanding or swelling MDF can distort or even delaminate the surface permanently ruining the appearance of the furniture. If you've ever remodeled a kitchen and removed cabinets, you might have noticed that MDF disintegrates into a smelly dust.

• MDF furniture might look like wood but it is essentially fake furniture,  a cheap and temporary way of having some good-looking furniture, but not for long. Set a glass on a laminate-over-MDF table and see what happens. Laminate over MDF cannot be re-finished, because there is nothing to refinish so the furniture is ruined. Imagine the consumers' surprise when trying to repair or re-finish a piece of this type of furniture - a good sanding will not only remove the dent or watermark but also the veneer.

• Another problem with MDF is that is internally weak.  Screws or nails placed into the material have a tenuous grip, and once a screw becomes loose, for example, only replacing it with a larger screw will have any effect. When attempting to move MDF furniture, extreme care must be taken and even so MDF furniture will be destroyed if moved often enough. A little pressure and either the screws will strip out, or, a chunk of MDF will pop out still attached to the screw.

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It is crucial that furniture not contain any MDF used for any part of the furniture that will bear stress or contain joinery, or that will be a surface to set things upon.  Laminated (veneered) MDF is not acceptable for the top of a desk, table or radiator cover.

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Conclusion

      Because of its long-lasting characteristics, solid wood is the perfect material for designs that need to stand the test of time.  Trends come and go,  but furniture made from solid wood will remain faithful to you throughout your days,  and with reasonable care be in great shape to pass on to future generations.   Because solid wood performs as well as it does, it will survive more abuse and neglect than a piece similarly made from man-made materials.  Most of us want to buy something that will last until we decide to get rid of it, not buy something that will make the decision for us.

 

Solid wood furniture is an excellent investment from which you will benefit for years to come.