What are Alternatives to Solid Hardwood Furniture, and are They Worth It?

What are Alternatives to Solid Hardwood Furniture, and Are They Worth It?

When you buy a new ‘big ticket’ object, you normally try to ‘trade up’ from the current version. For example, if you’re replacing a washer or dryer, you naturally search for one that has added features like electronic controls. You also try to determine if the added features are worth the higher price. The same rule applies to buying furniture. And the question is whether your next piece of furniture should be made with an alternative to solid hardwood. Such as particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, or softwood. Or do you want to ‘trade up’ to solid hardwood quality furniture? To say it differently, What are Alternatives to Solid Hardwood Furniture, and are They Worth It?

Is particleboard an inexpensive alternative to solid wood?

It certainly is. Particleboard is made of wood particles and resin that are compressed into sheets. It is also called chipboard. Therefore, it is less expensive than other wood alternatives. And, of course, it’s cheaper than real wood. Furniture manufacturers find particleboard easy to work with. The material has a flat, smooth surface and, as a result, is ideal for applying finishes like paint, laminates, and wood veneer. This means particleboard is usually concealed, artfully hidden below painted or shiny faux wood finishes.

Why is MDF so popular for making furniture?

MDF (medium-density fiberboard) is a popular choice among furniture builders because it’s cost-effective, stable, relatively easy to work with, and is ideal for adding finishes like paint, varnish, and veneers. MDF is made by combining wood fibers with resin and wax and then using heat to press them into panels. As such, the material is denser than particleboard or plywood. Although more costly than particleboard, MDF is less expensive than solid wood. This makes it a popular option for budget-conscious furniture manufacturers and furniture buyers alike. Most furniture sold in big box stores and popular franchise furniture stores is made of MDF.

Do furniture manufacturers attach veneer to particleboard?

Yes. Manufacturers of affordable furniture, such as furniture usually sold in big-box stores, typically attach wood veneer and wood synthetic laminates onto particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) to create the appearance of solid wood. No wonder it’s so difficult to tell the difference between manufactured wood and solid wood furniture! This is especially true when fake-wood furniture is given a high-gloss finish.

One can argue that a benefit of using particleboard and MDF for furniture is that these materials are lighter than solid wood. This makes manufactured wood furniture easier to move around and transport than solid wood pieces.

Another benefit is price. Manufactured wood furniture is typically priced lower than solid wood, Amish handcrafted furniture. This is because the materials (particle board, MDF, plus the fixtures) are cheaper than solid wood, and assembly-line construction is far less costly than custom cabinetwork by top artisans.

Does MDF have a smooth finish?

Yes. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) has a smooth surface, which makes it ideal for painting or for adding veneers or laminates. MDF is made from wood fibers mixed with wax and resin and exposed to high heat and pressure. While the top and bottom surfaces are usually smooth, the edges are often rough and porous. However, furniture builders usually make sure that all the visible surfaces of MDF furniture are covered with a veneer or laminate. Bookcase shelves are a case in point. Only when you remove an MDF shelf and check the sides and back will you see the composite interior. Also, the shelf is lighter than solid wood.

This means furniture made with MDF topped with a veneer or laminate often looks like solid wood furniture. So, it’s very difficult to determine if the furniture you see in a big-box store is made of solid hardwood or a wood substitute. Whenever the price of what looks like a solid wood piece of furniture is very affordable, the piece is most likely made of fake wood, despite the glossy varnish and fancy hardware!

How can you tell when furniture is made with fake wood?

Although it can be rather difficult to tell if furniture is made with fake wood. There is a way you can pinpoint manufactured wood furniture (including furniture topped by veneers and laminates) by looking at several factors. These factors include grain patterns, edges and corners, weight, texture, and durability.

• Woodgrain: Real wood displays varied, uneven grain patterns, while veneers and laminates tend to have repeated and predictable grain patterns. For example, some tables come with veneers replicating insets arranged at an angle, and each inset fits flawlessly. Also, real wood displays a natural and sometimes ‘flawed’ appearance (due to items like blemishes, cracks, worm holes, and knots) while veneers and laminates tend to be overly smooth and plastic-like.
• Visual inspection: A close inspection of a shiny new piece of furniture can reveal whether it’s made of solid or manufactured wood. For example, check out the underside of a tabletop. Do you see a smooth, even surface with no woodgrain? That’s most likely fake wood. Also, open a drawer. If it has dovetail joints and a somewhat smooth finish with a woodgrain pattern, chances are high that it’s solid wood. Conversely, no dovetail joint and a flawless, mono-colored material indicate the drawer is most likely made of fake wood.
• Durability: Solid wood is more durable and resistant to damage than fake wood. So, over time, manufactured wood furniture, especially furniture that is heavily used, shows signs of cracking. As well as peeling, broken joints, and other defects.
• Cost: Solid wood furniture usually costs more than manufactured wood pieces.
• Weight: Most solid hardwoods are heavier than particleboard and MDF. So by lifting a piece of furniture, you should be able to determine whether it’s made of solid wood or manufactured wood.

How can you tell when furniture is made with real wood?

• Edges and corners: The edges of real wood, such as on a tabletop, are typically nicely rounded or cut at a right angle with the grain pattern continuing around the edge. Tactics used to conceal fake wood on edges and corners include wrapping veneer or laminate around the edge and joining them at the other edges. Another trick used is attaching a veneered edge, such as fake molding or a fake rounded edge, to the piece. You can usually see where the molding or flat edge is attached. Perhaps the most revealing edges and corners are those at the back and bottom of the furniture (where people don’t normally look). In these places, you can see the thin veneer or laminate bonded to the manufactured wood.
• Carvings: Furniture with intricate carvings – including rosettes, leaves, letters, and flutes is normally solid wood. Particleboard, MDF, veneers, and laminates resist carving. Note, however, that manufactured wood furniture sometimes has carvings made from plastics and other synthetic materials bonded to it. This makes it difficult to determine whether a furniture piece is entirely made of real wood or built with partially real wood and fake wood.
• Product descriptions and labels: Product descriptions (usually accompanying beautiful product photos) typically mention the type of wood used for the piece. But be careful: The cleverly worded descriptions can be deceptive. The product specs might say something like “oak veneers with trendy faux chrome hardware.” You could translate this as ‘MDF with oak veneers and inexpensive metal hardware.’ In addition, a stamp, label, or tag on the furniture might say something like “Made of engineered wood and decorative laminate.” Tap on the wood. If the sound is deeper and more natural, it’s solid wood. A more hollow sound indicates it’s fake wood.

What makes plywood a popular choice for furniture making?

Plywood has emerged as a popular choice for making furniture because it excels in stability, strength, affordability, and versatility. The product is made by gluing together thin layers of wood. Each is placed at a 90-degree angle from the one below. The stack of veneers is exposed to heat and pressed together to form a solid sheet. Due to its layered construction and alternating grain patterns, plywood resists warping and shrinking. It is also very strong in relation to its weight. Plywood is usually more affordable than solid wood. For these reasons, cabinetmakers often choose it for flat areas like tabletops, side panels, shelves, and drawer boxes. In addition, plywood is often steam-bent to create curved shapes like those on benches, chairs, and tabletop skirts. What’s more, because plywood is ‘real’ wood, it can be sanded, stained, and polished. Therefore, creating beautiful pieces of furniture complete with eye-catching woodgrain.

Is plywood furniture as durable as solid wood?

Depending on the application, plywood furniture can be as durable as solid wood furniture – or even more so in certain situations. Many times, alternatives to solid hardwood furniture include plywood made from thin layers of wood veneer that are glued to layers below at a right angle. This crisscross grain pattern makes plywood resistant to cracking, splitting, and warping. Plywood is also strong and can bear heavy loads.

As a result, plywood is a great choice for furniture that is used frequently and heavily. These furniture items include tables, chairs, drawers, and even sofa frames. Because it resists warping, plywood is often chosen for furniture that might be exposed to moisture.

Solid wood, on the other hand, is the material of choice for homeowners seeking a natural, upscale look and feel. This is why solid wood is frequently used for cabinets, dressers, occasional tables, and dining room sets.

Are softwoods used for making fine furniture?

Not usually. Softwoods are often used for crafting affordable furniture. But cabinetmakers prefer using hardwoods because they are more resistant to wear and tear. On the other hand, softwoods are more prone to damage from scratches and dents. They are lumber from coniferous trees like pine, spruce, and fir. These softwoods are lighter, less dense, and more affordable than hardwood. That said, softwood is a popular choice for making budget-friendly furniture. Softwood can be sanded, varnished, and polished to make superb-looking furniture items.

What are the problems associated with wood-alternative furniture?

Furniture made with wood alternatives such as particleboard and MDF is subject to a litany of issues, including limited durability, difficulty in repairing, and low weight capacity. Unlike real wood, some fake woods tend to scratch and dent easily. Also, these pieces are prone to warp when exposed to moisture. Due to their composition, particleboard and MDF are difficult to repair. Pieces tend to shear off when an edge is bumped or the finished surface is scratched. Also, the hard particles and resins resist sanding. What’s more, when used as shelves, wood alternatives sag in the middle when loaded with books. Real wood shelves typically don’t sag. In addition, the chemicals used in manufactured wood tend to release formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can irritate people’s eyes and sinuses.

Is Amish solid hardwood furniture worth the money?

Solid hardwood furniture, such as what’s built by Amish cabinetmakers, is well worth the money. Especially if you’re focused on quality, lifestyle compatibility, and durability. So, before buying a new piece of furniture, ask yourself three questions: First, am I willing to invest in furniture that’s custom-built by cabinetmakers using solid hardwood and other quality components? Second, do my tastes and entertainment style call for fine furniture? And third, do I expect my next furniture pieces to last a very long time? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes,” your natural choice is to seek out Amish furniture from dealers like e-Amish Furniture rather than the alternatives to solid hardwood Furniture. For more information on how Amish furniture is made, check out Amish Furniture Shops. And for great tips on how to buy Amish furniture online, visit How to Buy Amish Furniture Online.