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Straight-grained, dense, strong and lightly colored.
Durable with a warm, rich, reddish color that darkens
over time.
Strong and heavy, lightly colored.
Strong and hard without being extremely heavy. Rich dark brown in color, often with a highly figured grain.
Extremely dense and durable tropical wood, yellow to dark brown in color. Teak is most often used for outdoor furniture, on which it develops a grey patina over time as it is exposed to the elements.
An exoticly grained tropical wood that is closely related to rosewood but is more environmentally sensitive.
Wood treated with a chemical that causes the surface to darken dramatically. It differs from stained wood in that its surface is altered chemically rather than merely coated.
Term used to describe furniture components that are milled completely from natural wood.
Thin flat panels sliced from larger pieces of solid wood,
then fixed to
a substrate of engineered material such as MDF or solid wood.
Used
to take advantage of wood grain’s beauty while making
very stable
and strong furniture.
Product formed by bonding layers of wood or synthetic materials together, which are then applied to a substrate.
A durable substitute for solid wood that is manufactured
from
wood fibers and usually coated with veneer or laminate.
Hard, clear, heat-resistant coating applied to natural or painted surfaces.
Renewable coating that protects surfaces while enhancing wood grain.
A modern, synthetic coating that is tougher than
traditional
top coatings.
A coating of rubbed–on soap flakes used on light woods
such as
oak to produce a smooth, matte finish. Must be reapplied
periodically.
Natural or synthetic substance used to color and highlight
wood
grain. Can be water- or oil-based and is usually covered with a
top coat such as varnish, oil or wax.
Renewable finish used to protect and enhance appearance.
Can be used on bare or stained wood and buffed to a high
gloss.
Flat sawn (or plain sawn) wood is the most commonly used lumber. The grain on its face can feature both straight and ”cathedral” shaped figuring. The end grain shows a horizontal or slightly cupped pattern.
Quarter sawn wood has a fine and straight grain pattern on its face. Dramatic flecking and wavy ribbons called “medullary rays” are present in red and white oak. The end grain has a nearly vertical pattern. Quarter sawn is a more expensive process compared to flat sawn and yields a very stable finished product.