Buying a new sofa can be intimidating. It seems there are endless questions about the finer details that will determine if your couch will stand the test of time. We've tried to shed a little bit of light on one of the most important questions: should you look for a kiln-dried hardwood or engineered wood frame?
Kiln-dried hardwood is typically considered top-of-the-line, and has been a long-standing selection in durable sofas. By drying the wood in a kiln, roughly 90-95% of the moisture in the wood is removed, preventing warping, and bowing. These frames are made with about 2 inch thick pieces of hardwood, typically secured with dowels and glue, and are very tough.
There are two types of engineered wood: plywood and particleboard (also called fiberboard or composition board.) Plywood is multiple thin layers of lumber glued together under high pressure. Plywood can be very strong and stable in the construction of sofa frames. Particleboard is wood chips and fibers that are glued together, and is much less strong than plywood or hardwood.
While kiln-dried hardwood has been the hallmark of quality furniture for quite some time, furniture-makers and engineers alike often feel that a high-quality plywood (there are different grades and qualities) can be just as structurally sound. A higher number of layers glued together, flush and true construction and interlocking joints make for a very sturdy frame.
There is no cut and dried (forgive the pun) answer to whether a frame will last you a lifetime, as it comes down to researching the manufacturer and trying to derive some basic quality levels across the board. A high-quality plywood frame with interlocking joints can be much sturdier than a kiln-dried wood frame made from a softer wood. (Here's a quick guide to hardwoods and softwoods via diffen.com) The key here is to know the manufacturer, their reputation, and remember to be aware of the key facets of quality materials and construction! Here's a great
Look for:
- kiln-dried hardwood
- interlocking joints
- doweled and glued joints
- screws, not staples
Avoid:
- softwoods--kiln-dried or otherwise
- particleboard
- low-quality plywoods
- staples
What other hints and advice do you have for seeking out quality sofa construction?
Image 1: Reese Sectional Sofa from Room & Board Image 2: Newport Camel Back Sofa from Jeffrey Greene handcrafted Newport furniture.
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nice post...i try to get the same point across when friends and family ask me to help them with buying furniture!!
Here's a great
Your post got cut off (or maybe there was no additional content, but fyi).
What manner of wood is (some asian country) rubberwood? I think my platform bed is made out of this. Wiki entry seems to imply it's ok for indoor furniture if properly treated, and I'm no botanist but the leaves look broad and it produces nuts. Which probably makes it hardwood, but doesn't mean it's hard....
I stick to vintage. Very little "engineered" wood to be found in my pieces and if they've lasted the last 50-60 years I'm thinking they might have been built to last. Although oddly, I recently acquired (and have already passed on to a new owner) a vintage Grundig Delmonico stereo (with a drybar hidden inside!) that was constructed of particle board with a fine wood veneer. This stereo was all tube but had a tape input / output so I'm guessing it was from the '60s. Huh, who knew?
Mr. Modtomic
Source for that curved sectional please!
@The Flying Dutchman: given the info provided, I'd avoid plywood and Google hard vs. soft woods. Dunno how you tell difference between plywood qualities, and salespeople, these days, seem to know little about the products they promote.
Great suggestions and post. Thanks.
I second the source for that sectional!
i agree, this is a great article. i think it's important for people to know the difference in materials when buying furniture.
rubberwood is a hardwood. quality-wise, it should last a long time. most companies use this wood because it is very cheap, however, the grain is not very attractive. likewise, it is often stained dark, painted, or used for interior parts.
@fcresenc
Indeed, my bed is stained v. dark. It came in other finishes, but I like darker woods.
The source for the sectional is listed at the bottom of the post - Reese Sectional Sofa from Room & Board.