Kitchen Bench

Wood Types

Almost every single kitchen bench is made up of wood in some area, if not the entire bench. The following is a guide about the different types of wood that are used in the construction of furniture/kitchen benches. By learning the differences you will be able to buy the right piece of furniture that suits your house and lifestyle.

In the furniture business there are 3 different types of wood: hardwood, softwood, and composites. Some benches are constructed with a blend of all three types, two types, or perhaps just one of the types of wood. This will have a great impact on the quality, durability, and appeal of your furniture.

Hardwood
This wood is generally hard. It is less susceptible to warping, splintering, or breaking. Just because a piece of wood is classified as hard wood does not mean that it’s stronger than softwood or composites. Take for example the balsa tree. It yields the least dense and softest wood, yet it is categorized as hardwood. The reason for this is because wood is classified by how a tree reproduces. Hardwood comes from trees that are green and lush during the summer and during autumn their leaves change colors and fall off. Softwood comes from trees that stay green all year round.

The highest quality wood, and therefore the most expensive wood comes from trees in the hardwood category. Mahogany, walnut, maple, cherry, and oak are all examples of high quality, long lasting, and expensive wood. Furniture that includes these wood typically aren’t made 100% of the high quality wood. Composites and softwood are often added in parts which can’t be seen.

Softwood
Softwoods are generally lower quality than hardwoods. They require more maintenance and are more susceptible to warping, cracking, and completely breaking. Not only are they inferior in durability, but also in appeal. Softwoods don’t accept a stain as well as hardwoods, and they have less grain. Pine is one of the denser softwoods and is used quite a bit in furniture. Manufacturers often include pine in their furniture to add support to the item.

Composite Wood
Composite wood is in its own category because you don’t find it on trees. It originates on a tree, but it’s not taken directly from a tree and then made into furniture. Composite wood is made when wood particles are combined to make a board of wood. Plywood, particle board, and medium density fiberboard are all examples of composite wood. To make plywood, multiple thing layers of wood are compressed with glue. The result is a board of wood made out of many small wood fragments. Particle board goes through the same process as plywood. The main difference is that it is covered with a thin sheet of laminate. Medium density fiberboard is made in the same way as well. It is significantly weaker than plywood and particle board.