Chapter 26 Selecting Furniture

Objectives 1. Describe the characteristics of different materials used to make furniture. 2. Evaluate furniture by comparing methods of construction, materials and cost. 3. Identify common wood furniture joints and finishes. 4. List factors to consider in evaluating and purchasing upholstery materials. 5. Describe the options available when shopping for furniture. 6. Summarize ways to care for furniture based on the type of finish.

Furniture Materials The first step in evaluating any piece of furniture is to check the type and quality of the materials used. Most common: 1. wood 2. metal 3. glass 4. plastic

Furniture Materials Case goods – furniture pieces that are not upholstered. Veneer – used to make most furniture today. An ornamental overlay placed over a base material. –Strong –Resists shrinking & warping due to strong glue –Difficult to repair if damaged Plywood – consists of three, five or seven layers of less expensive wood glued together.

Furniture Materials Solid wood furniture – whole pieces of the same wood must be used to make the exposed surfaces. –Interior construction may be different

Furniture Materials Particleboard – a combination of wood shavings, veneer scraps, chips and sometimes sawdust that is mixed with glue and pressed together with heat.

Other Wood Products Wicker Furniture – woven of thin, flexible twigs, branches, stems, often from willow trees. Bamboo – fast-growing, woody, tropical plant. Sturdy stems can be used to make furniture.

Metal Common furniture metals: –Iron –Steel –Aluminum –Brass –Copper Wrought iron – a tough, durable form of iron that can be hammered and bent into different shapes.

Metal When combined with chromium, steel becomes stainless steel. –Doesn’t rust –Maintains a shiny appearance –Brushed steel very popular

Metal Aluminum –Lightweight –dents Copper –Durable –Rust resistant Brass –Will tarnish

Glass Tempered glass – treated for safety and durability. –No bubbles –No dents –Scratches –defects

Plastic The versatility of plastics has permitted many innovations in furniture design. –Different colors –Wood look –Marble look

Furniture Construction Joint – the pace where one piece of wood is connected to another. –Glued to add strength –Nails –Screws

Finishes –Stain, which adds color without covering the natural grain. –Clear varnish, which emphasizes the grain pattern and protects the wood. –Clear lacquer and polyurethane, which provides a protective finish. –Hand-rubbed oil, which penetrates the wood and brings out the natural grain. –Paint, which is generally used to cover the grain of less expensive woods.

Upholstered Furniture Construction Basic Elements: –Frame –Springs –Padding –Cushions –Upholstery fabric

Frames and Springs Frame – the skeleton structure of a chair or sofa. –Constructed of strong hardwood –Coil springs are used to make high-quality furniture

Padding and Cushions Polyester and polyurethane foam are good materials that hold their shape well and resist moths and mildew. Cotton and shredded foam compress over time. Down is the most expensive filling and gives a very soft feel.

Upholstery Fabrics and Materials Features: –Appearance –Feel –Durability –Color –Pattern –cost

Upholstery Fabrics and Materials Factors to consider: –Fabric grade – A best, C worst –Color and Pattern –Tightness of Weave – hold up to light –Texture – shows wear –Fiber content – label –Stain resistance – synthetic better than natural –Warranties – when purchasing

Bed Construction One-third of life = sleeping. New mattress & Springs = every 10 years A quality mattress = 300 well anchored coils. Do not place mattresses directly on the floor. Quality – size and number of springs Cut-way Model – shows the interior construction of particular models.

Water Beds Give good support to curves in body. Major disadvantage is their weight.

Futon Great way to economize.

Shopping for Furniture Furniture is an investment. –New furniture –Used furniture –Unfinished furniture –Unassembled furniture –Modular Furniture

Caring for Furniture Upholstered furniture –Keep out of sun –Vacuum –Dry clean Case Goods –Dust –wax