Is that real wood?

Although I love the look of the evergreen trees in my backyard laden with snow, as soon as the temperature drops I go into hibernation mode. I love winter from the warmth of my living room and if I could figure out how to afford it I would happily spend all winter in my house admiring the seasonal beauty without having to experience the cold. I still need to feel connected to nature. I have noticed that my decorating style tends to include more outdoor elements in the winter. Perhaps this is why I am drawn to wood furniture – plain or painted. Once a living breathing tree, it continues to have a warmth and vibrancy in its second life as furniture or household items. Wood has been used to make furniture for centuries. There are two basic types of wood, hardwood and softwood. These names are slightly misleading, as they do not refer to the density of the wood. Hardwood comes from a tree that loses its leaves seasonally and softwood refers to a tree that keeps its foliage year round. A piece of furniture may contain more than one type of wood, even if it is labeled “solid maple,” for example. What this term means is that all the exposed surfaces are maple, but the frame or other not visible parts might be constructed from less expensive woods such as gum or poplar. In general, more expensive furniture is made from fine hardwoods such as maple, cherry or oak, or selected softwoods such as pine. Average priced furniture often has a combination of woods used on exposed surfaces. The choice of wood to buy in furniture depends entirely on personal taste. There isn’t one that is “better” than another. The most important concern is that the piece is well constructed and well finished. I am of the belief that wood furniture becomes more beautiful as it ages, with dents that mark its history, patches and mends that prove its usefulness. Older pieces come with their own quirks, drawers that may not glide smoothly because the wood is affected by the moisture in the air and swells when it is humid. This can easily be remedied by either sanding or planing down the offending edge if it is very stiff or, in the case of a drawer that sticks, simply rub the edge with candle wax or soap. Often it is the imperfections in the older wood pieces that give them their character. It is the versatility of wood that I find so appealing. Every day we come in contact with wood in its many forms. It can be functional as a cutting board, exquisite as a handcrafted violin, light enough to frame a kite and sturdy enough to frame a house. It is also used as a decorative feature in flooring. The house I live in has parquet wood floors that have begun to splinter with age and wear. We may have to replace them soon and I was curious as to what options were available. Hardwood floors are the most durable and come in three types. Solid wood floors can be installed on a concrete slab as long as it is on or above ground level. This type of flooring expands and contracts with seasonal changes in humidity so allowances should be made when installing it by leaving gaps which are covered up with baseboard trim. Engineered wood consists of several layers of different woods or different grades of the same wood sandwiched and glued together with heat and pressure. These types of wood are less affected by humidity and can be installed above or below ground level. A wood laminate is the last option in a natural product and consists of a plywood base topped with a layer of veneer. These types of floors are much thinner than solid hardwoods, so they cannot be refinished as often. I love the texture and irregularities in the grain of stained wood, so the repetitive pattern of plastic laminate wood-look flooring is not for me. I am told that the choice of wood finish is more important than the choice of wood in determining which products will be more durable, scratch and stain resistant and easy to clean. In the long run, although unfinished wood flooring is cheaper, the costs of finishing products and labour must be factored in, so prefinished flooring makes the most sense. The environmental hazards of using the finishing chemicals in your home without proper venting far outweigh the added costs of buying factory-finished flooring which has been cured in a controlled environment and comes with a warranty. So now I am faced with the decision, to replace the parquet or choose wider strips or even wider planks. This decision may have to wait for spring and the warmer weather. I think I will make another cup of tea and watch the world hurry by through the snow covered streets.

Image courtesy of stock.xchng.