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What are the advantages and disadvantages of solid wood?

Mahjouba Longo
Nov 27, 2024
Quels sont les avantages et inconvénients du bois massif?

More than just a trend, solid wood holds a special place among the materials used in interior design and furniture design. It remains timeless and continues to reinvent itself to find its place in every space. All of its qualities make it an obvious choice for many design projects! So, do you know all of its advantages? We'll take stock in this article!

 

 

What is solid wood?

 

 

Solid wood is a highly sought-after material for its many qualities. In Quebec, we are fortunate to have easy access to this quality material. It is indeed a particularly resistant material, used in construction and in the design of high-end furniture. Solid wood is recognized by its uniqueness and its natural irregularities that give it so much elegance. There are a multitude of species of solid wood, such as cherry, white oak, walnut or maple.

 

 

To learn how to recognize solid wood furniture and have more details on its specificities, read our dedicated article: what is solid wood and what are its characteristics?

 

 

The advantages of solid wood furniture

 

 

Robustness and longevity

 

Solid wood furniture is designed to last! It is particularly resistant to the test of time and wear.

 

 

The strength of solid wood comes from its manufacturing process: the original structure undergoes very few modifications, its density therefore allows it to support greater loads without breaking and it knows how to absorb shocks.

 

 

Also, solid wood furniture is often easier to repair and restore than furniture made from composite materials. Choosing solid wood furniture is therefore a guarantee of being able to keep it for a certain time.

 

 

MTL Blues table available on the online store.

 

 

 

 

Natural beauty

 

 

Solid wood furniture brings a touch of timeless charm and elegance to any room.

 

 

They play a major role in creating a special and welcoming atmosphere; solid wood furniture has no equal when it comes to warming up the atmosphere.

 

 

And no need for artifice, a single layer of varnish is often enough to highlight their natural beauty!

 

 

Design and interior design

 

 

Solid wood is a versatile material that is easy to work and transform. There is really no piece of furniture that cannot be made from solid wood!

 

 

Wood combines very well with other materials, such as metal or glass, and it fits easily into all rooms of the house and all decorative styles. It therefore leaves free rein to the creativity of manufacturers and designers to design unique and original furniture.

 

 

There are many types of wood, so you have plenty of choice to find a piece of furniture that suits your tastes! To learn more about the different types of wood, check out our handy guide .

 

 

Moreover, you can personalize your furniture yourself quite easily to give it a new look, with paint or varnish.

 

 

Ecology

 

Solid wood is a renewable resource, especially if you take care to choose a manufacturer that only uses wood that comes from sustainably managed forests, as is the case with Fabrique Allwood.

 

 

Ease of maintenance

 

 

Solid wood furniture is fairly easy to clean. Just dust it regularly and use a damp cloth with a few drops of pH-neutral soap.

 

 

Chancellor table available in the online store.

 

 

 

 

What can be the disadvantages of solid wood for furniture?

 

 

Higher cost

 

The qualities just mentioned make solid wood a generally more expensive material than other materials used for furniture manufacturing.

 

 

However, the durability of wood makes it a profitable investment in the long term: it is not uncommon to see solid wood furniture passed down from generation to generation. These are pieces of furniture for life, which accompany their owners from house to house.

 

 

Moreover, if you decide to part with it, you should be able to get a good return on investment since the value of solid wood furniture does not decrease over time, quite the contrary!

 

 

Specific treatments

 

 

Some types of wood can be vulnerable to insect attacks, fungi and humidity. These pieces of furniture will therefore need to be treated to protect them. There are many solutions on the market, such as a varnish against humidity.

 

 

Aging

 

 

Wood is a living material. Its color may change slightly over time, and small cracks or splits may appear. You can expect the appearance of your furniture to change somewhat, but that's also what gives solid wood furniture so much charm!

 

 

At La Fabrique, we are convinced that the qualities of solid wood far outweigh its small drawbacks. As proof, it has been ten years since we made the choice to work exclusively with solid wood. It never ceases to inspire us to create new models of furniture and accessories, and we are proud to offer sustainable products of such high quality. Get inspired and discover our creations !