Furniture Construction and Selection

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Furniture Construction and Selection
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Qualities of Hardwoods

• Greater dimensional stability
• Less pitch
• More durability
• Harder
• Holds nails and screws better
• Less likely to dent

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Hardwoods commonly used

• Maple
• Cherry
• Pecan
• Oak
• Walnut

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Qualities of Softwoods

• Develops checks and cracks
• Not as strong as hardwood
• Less expensive than hardwood

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Softwoods commonly used

• Cedar
• Pine
• Redwood
• Cypress

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Veneers

• Definition
• Thin slices of wood
• Advantages of using veneers
• Solid wood is too expensive
• Solid wood is too heavy
• Greater strength
• Less cost

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Furniture Joints

• Important because they affect the life of the
  furniture, its durability, and its strength.

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Types of Joints
Biscuit Mortise and
tenon Rabbet
Butt
Mitered Dado
Lap
Dovetail
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Parts of Upholstered Furniture

• Frame
• Should be kiln dried hardwood
• Joints should be strengthened
• Cushioning materials
• Springs in seat bases
• Thick cushioning applied over springs and frame.
• Foam, fiberfill, and down are used.

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Support Springs in Mattresses

• Box springs
• Coils attached to a base covered with padding
• Coil springs
• Same as box, but not covered or padded
• Flat springs
• Frame with flat springs
• Number of coils?
• Good quality has 300 or more

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Metals in Furniture Construction

• Aluminum
• Iron
• Steel
• Used for
• Lawn chairs
• Outdoor furniture
• Modern furniture

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Metal
Furnishings

• Advantages
• Light or heavy
• Inexpensive
• Strong
• Disadvantages
• Bends
• Dents
• Brittle
• Rusts and tarnishes

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Plastic furniture

• Advantages
• Imitates other materials
• Light weight
• Durable
• Inexpensive
• Easy to clean

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Buying Case Furniture

• Check for
• Surface finish, back and inside finish
• Solid construction
• Sturdy base
• Working parts
• Drawers open smoothly

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Buying Upholstered Furniture

• Check for
• Zippers
• Underlining
• Spring quality
• Comfort

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Shopping for Furniture

• Information and materials you should take with
  you when you shop for furniture
• Measurements what size are door openings
• Colors Carpet, wallpaper, paint, fabric to match