Best Types of Wood for Leather Furniture
Often times the wood someone chooses for the legs of their leather furniture has mainly to do with a simple color selection. The decision comes down to matching up dark or light wood tones with the tones found in the room the new furniture will occupy. However, being armed with information on the quality and type of wood can give you an extra edge in your final decision.
When you choose the wood for your new piece of furniture, establish its predisposition for warping or splitting due to changes in temperature or humidity. Particle board and MDF (medium density fiberboard) are materials more likely to warp or split, therefore high quality woods are recommended.
The most popular wood types in furniture making are Walnut, Cherry, Spruce, Pine, Yew, Oak, Maple, Elm, Cypress, Birch and Cedar. These woods are chosen due to their size, strength and workability. In addition, they are a beautiful compliment to the look of high quality leather furniture.
Terms like hardwood and softwood refer to the type of tree used and should not be confused with the strength or quality of the wood.
Hardwood trees like Oak, Cherry and Maple lose their leaves seasonally. Softwood trees such as Pine and Cedar keep their vegetation throughout the year. The wood from both hardwood and softwood trees are known to be used in making quality leather furniture.
Every wood type has natural characteristics identified with that particular tree. Various grain patterns make most wood types very recognizable especially when stained with a natural finish. Natural (or clear) finishes allow the real grain to be revealed on the wood surface.
Sometimes finishes can be deceiving, however. Cherry wood is sometimes mistaken for a cherry finish on another wood type or on a veneer. A cherry finish on another high quality wood is a desirable look. However, if you are after real cherry wood, be sure to distinguish the difference.
The main factors in selecting a wood type for the legs of your new leather furniture are strength and durability. Since the legs of the chair or sofa provide the stability of the furniture, choosing a quality wood type is essential to the overall worth of your new piece.
