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When you move from your starter home into a more excellent, more significant place, it may be time to upgrade your old furniture. And what better to replace your old furniture than some unique, top-quality wood pieces? Wood furniture can be crafted from many different species of wood, so if you're hunting for the perfect wood piece, it's helpful to learn how to identify other wood species in furniture.
Determine Whether the Piece is Solid Wood
You encounter a gorgeous table or bookshelf in a store and decide you might want to take it home. But wait! Is it made of solid wood or engineered wood? Although, at first glance, solid wood, engineered wood, and faux woods like particleboard might look the same, they're pretty different in terms of quality and durability.
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You can often identify a piece as engineered wood or particleboard by looking at an unfinished edge of the furniture, such as the edge of a bookshelf—you'll be able to see the wood's grain if it's solid wood. Still, manufactured woods will usually have a rougher, faux appearance. If a piece is wood veneer, you'll be able to identify the species of its outer layer but remember that the entire piece will not be made of this material.
Distinguish Between Hardwoods and Softwoods
If you determine that the piece is solid wood, it's time to decide whether or not it's made of hardwood or softwood. To do so, examine the piece for any dents or dings—softwoods tend to be nicked more easily than hardwoods. You can also test the hardness of the wood by pressing your fingernail into an inconspicuous area of the furniture and seeing whether it leaves a mark. Determining the hardness of the wood will help you narrow down the species' possibilities to either hardwoods or softwoods.
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Consider the Color
Wood from different species of trees naturally varies in color. Assuming it hasn't been stained, consider the color of the piece of furniture you're trying to identify. For example, pine wood will be a light yellow color, mahogany is a reddish-brown shade, and walnut is usually a deeper, darker brown. It's also important to note that the color of wood can darken or otherwise change color with age.
Examine the Wood Grain
The final method to identify different wood species in furniture is an examination of the wood's grain. Different types of wood have different grain patterns, which makes it easier to distinguish one from the other. Many types of wood, including pine, cherry, walnut, and poplar, have straight grains. But some, like maple or ash, have wavier grains or a mixture of both. Considering the furniture's wood grain and other factors like its color and hardness will help you accurately identify the tree species from which it was created.