If you are considering purchasing a new piece of furniture for your home or business, Oak is a popular choice that should fit in with any decor. Generally available in two finishes, Red or White, oak is a sturdy wood that when treated correctly will continue to last and keep its new look. For a general piece of furniture such as a coffee table or dining room chair, white grain oak is the most common, though Red oak can be found, but it is often more expensive.
Buyers should be aware that retail outlets claiming to be selling genuine oak furniture may be selling oak veneer pieces. These contain lower grade pine or particle board beneath a slim oak veneer that is glued on, so thorough investigation should be done before buying. Red Oak is most commonly found in hardwood floors and is more expensive as it requires a number of protective treatments in order to prevent it from being damaged. White Grain Oak furniture is much sturdier than competing hardwood furniture and when purchased as new should be of level construction, without indentations on any piece of the wood.
Keep in mind that oak has a coarse texture too it when in its natural form, though your furniture pieces should be finished with a smooth effect. For protection and posterity, Oak furniture is generally coated with a stain finish made from urethane that provides its uniform appearance on the surface. To ensure your furniture has had the correct preparation and treatment, you should notice the grain of the oak through the urethane finish. Any blemishes that appear at first instance will not age well and require extra maintenance.
Genuine Solid Oak furniture pieces are going to come with some back-end maintenance to keep it looking new. To keep your oak furniture looking beautiful it should be kept away from direct heat and sunlight. Not placing hot objects on it will help prevent any damage from shrinking or cracking and by keeping it out of sunlight you will reduce the amount of color fade that occurs. This means that location will become an important consideration if you are looking at a new piece of oak furniture for your home.
Furniture should be seen as an investment, particularly if you are buying genuine hardwood oak. The upfront cost may be hard to justify, but it will provide an amount of longevity that is hard to achieve from other cuts of hardwood. Retail outlets can offer you the option to purchase unfinished pieces if they have any available. Whilst these will require some work up front to apply a finish to them it can often result in an overall price saving.
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