Furniture Construction and Selection

1. Qualities of Hardwoods

Greater dimensional stability

Less pitch

More durability

Harder

Holds nails and screws better

Less likely to dent

2. Hardwoods commonly used

Maple

Cherry

Pecan

Oak

Walnut

Birch

3. Qualities of SoftwoodsDevelops checks and cracks

Not as strong as hardwood

Less expensive than hardwood

4. Softwoods commonly used

Cedar

Pine

Redwood

Cypress

Wood

Wood Grain: pattern formed as tree grows.

5. Bonded Wood

Plywood: 3-5 layer of less expensive wood glued together

Particle Board: wood shavings, scraps, and sawdust mixed and pressed under heat.

Wafer Board: Wood chips/pieces bonded with glue and heat.

6. VeneersDefinition

Thin slices of wood

7. Advantages of using veneers

Solid wood is too expensive

Solid wood is too heavy

Greater strength

Less cost

8. Wood Grain

Texture produced by the fibers in wood

9. Wood FinishesStain: adds color and allows the grain of wood to show through, variety of tones

Varnish: covers stain with a durable finish, shine, matte

Paint: covers the grain, solid coverage, endless color choices

Polyurethane: Plastic like finish that protects surface of wood, clear but in a glossy or matte.

Lacquer: High gloss finish, plastic like

10. Furniture Joints

Important because they affect the life of the furniture, it’s durability, and it’s strength.

11. Types:

Dovetail Dowel

Mortise and Tenon Butt

Tounge n Groove Corner Block

12. Parts of Upholstered Furniture

FrameShould be kiln dried hardwood (birch is common )Joints should be strengthened

Cushioning materialsSprings in seat basesThick cushioning applied over springs and frame.Foam, fiberfill, and down are used.

Support Springs in MattressesBox springs

Coils attached to a base covered with padding

14. Coil springs:

Same as box, but not covered or padded

Strongest support

Flat springs:

Frame with flat springs

Less Support

13. Number of coils?

Good quality has 300 or more

15. Metals in Furniture Construction

Aluminum

Iron

Steel

16. Used for:Lawn chairs

Outdoor furniture

Modern furniture

17. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Metal Furnishings

Advantages:Light or heavy

Inexpensive

Strong

Disadvantages:Bends

Dents

Brittle

Rusts and tarnishes

18. Rattan, Bamboo, Wicker

Natural wood frames with woven stems and branches.

19. Advantages:Light weight

Durable

Inexpensive

20. Plastic furniture

Advantages:Imitates other materials

Light weight

Durable

Inexpensive

Easy to clean

21. Buying Case GoodsCase Goods: various types of storage cabinetry…wood is the primary construction material

Check for:Surface finish, back/inside finish

Solid construction

Sturdy base

Working parts

Drawers open smoothly

22. Buying Upholstered Furniture

Check for:Fabric Quality: patterns match, durable

Construction: frame sturdy, quality craftsmanship

Underlining

Zippers

Spring quality

Comfort

23. Shopping for Furniture

Information and materials you should take with you when you shop for furniture:

Measurements: what size are door openings, room size, furniture piece

Colors: Carpet, wallpaper, paint, fabric to match

Identifying Wood Joints

Fill out with information sheets

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