Oak Furniture

Everybody loves quality, hardwood oak furniture, because it lasts for years and will continue to look attractive with a minimum of care. Oak is a beautiful wood and has been a favourite for making furniture and wall panelling since the late Middle Ages. Oak is a strong and sturdy wood with a density of 0.75 grams per cubic centimetre. Unlike other woods oak is extremely resistant to fungal and insect attacks because it contains a large amount of tannin. The grain in oak is displayed at its best when the wood is quarter sawn and because a significant amount of solid oak furniture is hand crafted it will give your home a singularly personal look.

The best oak furniture is constructed with simple lines that will suit most styles of interior décor. You need to be careful that the oak furniture you are purchasing is made from solid wood, oak veneers and other manufactured woods will soon lift and peel and won’t last in the same way as genuine oak furniture. Oak furniture is not cheap to buy but it is considerably less expensive than some other hardwoods such as mahogany. Oak furniture needs little maintenance, providing they are not exposed to extremes of temperature, as sudden, abrupt changes can cause the joints in the wood to crack.

When you buy oak dining furniture or bedroom furniture you can rest assured that it will make your home more attractive. People buy oak furniture because it is built to last and when kept in warm, dry surroundings will continue to look attractive for many years to come. Your oak furniture should be placed away from direct heat and dusted regularly. The occasional use of specially manufactured oil or furniture polish will enable your oak furniture to retain its sheen and look beautiful long into the future.

Solid Oak Furniture

There is nothing quite like solid oak furniture to give your home a touch of style. Classic oak furniture looks good in almost any surroundings and people have chosen to use it in their homes for centuries. Oak has a warm and attractive looking grain and may sometimes be finished with a light, clear lacquer to give it a sheen and protect the surface from dirt and scratches. Manufacturers and retailers of solid oak furniture will usually state that they never use veneers on any part of the furnishings, including drawer bottoms and backs. When you buy solid oak furniture, look for items with dovetail joints for greater strength and durability. If you purchase a solid oak dining room suite you will be the envy of your friends and neighbours. Most solid oak furniture is made with clean lines and excellent workmanship, to ensure that you will continue to enjoy it for many years to come.

The natural qualities of solid oak furniture means that it is adaptable to almost any interior, no matter what the decorative style. Solid oak contracts naturally with the temperature and moisture elements in its environment and should not be exposed to extremes of temperature or moisture. The reason that solid oak is sensitive to ambient conditions is because it retains the natural cellular structure of the oak tree. Most high quality solid oak is kiln dried before it is crafted into furniture because it increases the wood’s resistance to drastic changes in humidity levels. Buyers of solid oak furniture should be aware that a certain amount of contraction and expansion is natural to all solid woods as it is part of the cellular structure. One of the main reasons that dovetail joints are the preferred method with solid oak furnishings is that it acts as a counter to excessive expansion and contraction of the wood.