Buying furniture these days can be a truly perplexing experience for the novice shopper. The last generation of homeowners had it easy. When they visited furniture stores, they could be relatively certain they'd find wood furniture -- sturdy wood furniture, that is. Solid construction was the top-most priority of manufacturers. Pieces were built to last, and last they did -- which is why they're sitting in your home now. That chest of drawers or end table may not capture your decorative preferences, but its quality construction and solid wood has allowed it to be owned by multiple generations and withstand considerable abuse.

Try to buy furniture today, however, and you'll find that the search for quality materials is a bit like embarking on a scavenger hunt. You'll be presented with many, many options: solid wood, veneers, laminates, iron, glass, metal and more. Those modern-looking shelves may look great, but place a few heavy books on them, and what happens? That depends upon the material. Some materials can only withstand weights of about 40 pounds. It doesn't take many books to create 40 pounds of weight. If you underestimate that weight, you'll be looking at buckling shelves in no time.

Adding to modern shoppers' confusion is that many wood imitators, such as veneers, are designed to resemble solid wood. It's not necessarily a bad idea to purchase veneers, laminates and other wood substitutes, but you should know what you're getting into ahead of time -- in other words, you should be aware of exactly what kind of weight that furniture will support and for which uses it's best suited. Consider these factors for each of the following materials:

Solid Wood: It's usually the most expensive material you can purchase, but it's also a good investment because it's the strongest material available. Solid wood is a versatile material; it never goes out of style and can be adapted to blend into changes of room decor throughout your home as your tastes change. It's also a warm, inviting material (unlike chrome or glass, which can appear "clinical" and cold, depending upon the room setting). Pine, an extremely popular variety of solid wood, is a bit softer than oak or maple. Solid wood generally can withstand abuse -- gouges, nicks and other accidents and can be repaired, unlike wood imitators.

Wood Veneers: Veneers are created by attaching thin layers of solid wood to a solid core. Furniture made with veneers often appears perfect in terms of grain pattern and color. That's because the wood can be more easily matched with veneers (solid wood pieces often are created using multiple pieces of wood, but a single piece of furniture may contain a collection of grains and shades of wood, creating a more rustic look). Many of the veneer pieces being sold today are well-constructed and can be repaired if damaged. Shop wisely, and you can find a relatively solid piece of veneer furniture at a fraction of the cost you'd pay for solid wood. The benefit of veneer furniture is that underneath those multiple sheets of wood lies a strong, solid core of wood.

Plastic Laminates: Common varieties include Formica. Laminates, like veneers, are attached to solid wood cores; however, in the case of laminates, several thin layers of plastic lie on top of the wood core. In many cases, plastic laminates are actually stronger than wood veneers; and yet they're usually less expensive than wood veneers. The better-quality varieties are waterproof and can withstand heat and are burn-resistant. Their primary vulnerability is that they can chip, and once this happens, the damage is nearly impossible to repair.

Metal: Metal is very durable and is quite easy to repair, but it requires care in order to live a long life. Metal furniture is subject to tarnishing, rusting (on occasion) and corrosion. Your best defense is to paint, lacquer or wax metal furniture to provide a layer of protection against the elements.

As long as you know the limitations of any piece of furniture before you make a purchase, you can reap the maximium mileage from your investment. Today's shoppers often don't expect to hang onto their furniture long enough to pass it along to future generations; and yet, your furniture should provide you with several years of hassle-free enjoyment. It goes without saying, but don't be fooled by aesthetics as you shop; poorly constructed lemons have been known to hide behind beautiful exteriors. So reserve plenty of time for comparison shopping and asking questions. And if the deal sounds too good to be true, trust your instincts. Invest your money -- even if it's more than you initially planned to invest -- in quality materials and construction. It's a decision you'll be living with for many years -- if you choose wisely, that is.

Published: May 4, 2000

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