Furniture that has an oak veneer is still legally classed as oak furniture, but the differences between furniture with an oak veneer and solid oak are glaringly obvious. Oak veneer is made by placing a piece of genuine oak on top of another type of wood. Although the finish is oak and can be extremely attractive, underneath a softer, less durable wood is used. It is also far cheaper than choosing solid oak alternatives, but it can be a false economy. Read on to see why solid oak is always better than oak veneer.
There is a place for oak veneer furniture. On furniture that is rarely seen and rarely used, a veneer can work extremely well. It is cheap to purchase and can make very cheap materials such as plywood, MDF or chipboard look like oak. The difficulty is that veneers are simply not strong or durable. They can warp or bubble and gradually over time the wood starts to look shabby and will eventually need replacing. Solid oak furniture does not suffer from this blight. It will last decades, even lifetimes. Solid oak antique furniture often gets passed down from one generation to another because it continuously outlasts it owners! Antique shops today house oak furniture from hundreds of years ago that still looks as good as ever. Rather like a bottle of wine, oak gets better with age which is another reason it is so valuable.
Solid oak doesn't fade or wear away of suffer from everyday use. It is such a hard, dense wood that it withstands anything, even water. Because it is so water resistant it can even be used in the bathroom. Oak furniture will never need replacing. The same cannot be said for oak veneer however which will likely need replacing between 5 and 10 years after purchase. Although the initial cost of solid oak furniture is greater, the fact that is lasts makes it in the long term a better investment. Furthermore as it ages it even gains value. There is little value in furniture made from plywood with an oak veneer - antique shops in years to come will not be stocking this.
You can tell a product is solid oak rather than a veneer just from sight and feel. Solid oak is very heavy because it is such a dense wood. Furniture with a veneer is much easier to pick up and move around. Having a good look at the furniture you will be able to see the different woods being used, especially if there is just a part veneer. Opening the drawers or peering underneath will usually provide the signs. Make sure you buy your furniture from a reputable seller for reassurance that the item you are buying is in fact solid oak and not a partial or full veneer.
When solid oak furniture is present in a room, it provides an instant style and elegance that is often absent from other timbers or materials. If you want your home to look its best then there is no doubt that oak furniture will make that happen. It is very versatile and comes in a range of colours. For smaller or more modern homes, a lighter tone will work best. Larger or more traditional rooms work best with darker shades.
Solid oak furniture although more expensive is the very best type of material to use for furniture. It outlasts oak veneer by decades and provides an unparalleled style and elegance in the room. Whether it is Mobel oak furniture you choose, Cuba oak or another style altogether you will be pleased you made the right choice and will continue to enjoy your furniture for many years to come.