Objective 5.02: CRITIQUE components of quality furniture construction Start on page 343. Define wood grain solid wood veneer pressed wood Draw and label each of these wood joints. Tell an advantage and disadvantage of each type of joint. Mortise and tenon Double dowel Dovetail Tongue and groove Butt Corner block Mitre (not in our book) Objective 5.02: CRITIQUE components of quality furniture construction

Understanding furniture construction will help you choose the highest quality furniture for your money

Using wood in Furniture

A wood grain, or pattern, is formed as a tree grows Wood grain influences the construction of furniture.

SOLID WOOD: Whole pieces of the same wood used to make exposed furniture surfaces.

SOLID WOOD Advantages Disadvantages Can be sanded and refinished Expensive Can crack, swell, and warp if exposed to humidity.

VENEER (plywood): 3-7 thin layers of fine wood glued to an inexpensive base.

VENEERS (plywood) Advantages Disadvantages Cheaper than solid wood Resists shrinking & warping (losing its straightness) Strong Difficult to repair – cannot be sanded or refinished.

PRESSED WOOD (particle board) Wood shavings, chips, and sawdust mixed with glue May be used as the base for veneers.

PRESSED WOOD (particle board) Disadvantages Advantages Cheap Tough and durable Not pretty!

Basic Furniture Construction

Joint – the place where one piece of wood is connected to another The joint determines the furniture’s strength.

Mortise-and-Tenon  Strongest of all joints  Cannot wobble and difficult to pull out  Joins legs and rails in chairs and beds  Difficult to mark and cut out.

Dowel (can be single double, triple)  Quick and easy to make  Drilling accurate holes difficult.

Dovetail  Very strong joint and resists being pulled apart  Good for joining all sides of drawers  Difficult to mark and cut out.

Tongue and Groove  Easy to measure and cut; invisible  Used for table tops and floors  Tongues can break easily; cannot be disassembled.

Butt  Easiest to make  Weakest type of joint.

Corner Blocks Added to make joints more secure, such as the frames of chairs and tables.

Mitered Aesthetically pleasing  Not very strong.

Complete and turn in “Wood Joints”

Furniture finishes

Furniture finishes protect wood, and enhance or change the wood color.

Stain: adds color without covering the grain.

Varnish, lacquer, or polyurethane: clear and adds protection.

Paint: covers the wood and is the least expensive

Upholstered Furniture

Upholstered Furniture Components Hard wood frame secured with a corner block Hand-tied springs to prevent sagging Padding Cushions Fabric.

Other furniture materials

Plastic Inexpensive, lightweight, easy to clean.

Metals: wrought iron, steel, aluminum, and chrome

Rattan, Wicker, and Bamboo combine natural wood frames with woven stems or branches.

Glass should be tempered - break into small pebbles instead of sharp pieces.

Wood Plastic Metal Rattan Wicker Bamboo Glass

Individual Project Create a BROCHURE, OR 8 ½ x 11 FLYER that explains ONE of the following: materials used in furniture construction; important facts, advantages/disadvantages how to judge upholstered furniture finishes for furniture and their purposes types of wood joints and their advantages and disadvantages Use pictures Spelling, grammar, neatness, and a professional look count.