What is solid wood?
The Wood Guide · The wood register
Solid versus boardSolid wood
From a single piece of tree, not from fibres and glue. That difference determines how the furniture looks, how long it lasts and what it asks of you.
- One wood species, no composite
- Can be sanded and repaired
- Does react to moisture and heat
Solid wood
From a single piece of tree, not from fibres and glue. That difference determines how the furniture looks, how long it lasts and what it asks of you.
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What sets solid wood apart
Solid wood consists entirely of the wood of one tree species, sawn from the trunk. That sets it apart from MDF or chipboard, which consist of wood fibres or chips bonded together with glue.
That unbroken structure is the source of all its properties: the strength lies in the fibres that run from end to end, the grain tells the story of the tree, and because there are no glue layers in it, you can rework the surface again and again.
It is also the reason solid wood moves. A board keeps breathing: in humid air it expands, in dry air it shrinks. Board material does that much less — that is exactly what it was made for.
Everything that stands outdoors we make in solid wood: picnic tables in pressure-treated spruce, garden benches in teak, outdoor kitchens in Douglas fir. Indoors we work with board material, precisely because a cabinet door has to stay perfectly straight.
The advantages of solid wood
Natural beauty
Solid wood carries the visible history of the tree. Every grain line says something, every knot underlines its origin — a look that is hard to imitate with artificial materials.
Service life
Thanks to its sturdiness it can take extreme loads and keeps its shape over long periods. Solid wood furniture often lasts for generations and becomes an heirloom.
Adaptability
Rustic or sleek and modern: solid wood can be worked and finished however you like. Paint, stain or lacquer — you can still change the look later.
Repairable
Unlike most materials, solid wood can be sanded and refinished. Scratches and dents disappear; the piece simply starts afresh.
What to take into account
The advantages are real, but there is a flip side. Three things to know in advance.
- The priceSolid wood is usually more expensive than the alternatives. You weigh the higher investment against the longer service life and lower replacement costs — calculated over twenty years, the sums often work out differently than at the time of purchase.
- The maintenanceOiling or lacquering protects it against drying out and cracking. If you are looking for a truly low-maintenance solution, you are better off with hardwood that you simply leave to grey, or with board material indoors.
- Sensitivity to climateSolid wood reacts to humidity and temperature in the home: it expands and shrinks. Keep the humidity stable between 40 and 60% and don't place it right next to a heat source.
Solid or board material?
Neither is "better" — they are made for different things.
It has to last for generations
- The furniture stands outdoors or takes heavy loads.
- You want to see the grain and character of the wood.
- You want to be able to sand out scratches later.
- You are prepared to put some work into it now and then.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is solid wood?
Does solid wood really last longer?
With good maintenance, yes. It can take extreme loads, keeps its shape, and you can sand out scratches. Solid wood furniture often lasts for generations — board material rarely does.
What is the downside?
The price, the maintenance and the sensitivity to climate. Solid wood reacts to moisture and temperature: it expands and shrinks. Board material does that much less.
Is solid wood better for the environment?
Usually, yes, for one reason: it lasts longer. Wood that stays in service for fifty years holds on to its carbon for fifty years and doesn't need replacing. More on that in durable wood species for outdoors.
Which solid wood?
Once you have chosen solid wood, the question remains which species. That is what the register is for.
Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Solid beams, each sawn in one piece from the trunk — Luk, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Prunus avium — Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0