Wood Furniture Value

The retail furniture industry is very competitive, and the price of wood furniture runs about the same from one retailer to another. Why does one table cost $399 and another $2500? Just what does a table cost? There are many factors which contribute to the cost of a piece of furniture including the amount of wood being used, the type of wood, amount of machine work and hand detail involved, type of finish and construction details.

Obviously the size of a piece of furniture plays a part in cost. An eight foot long table is going to cost more than a four foot long table simply because more wood is used. However, it is not only the amount of wood, but the type and grade of wood used that influences cost. For instance, oak is probably the least expensive, followed by birch and walnut, on up to the most expensive which is mahogany and teak. Even though oak is the least expensive, Northern or midwestern oak is more expensive than California oak. Yellow pine is superior to California pine. This is due to the way the tree grows. Because of the cold weather in the East and Midwest, and lack thereof in California, the wood displays superior qualities to wood that has not been exposed to cold weather. Mahogany, which is one of the most expensive woods used in furniture, is also graded, with wood from Honduras being superior to that from the Phillipines, although only a trained eye can usually discern the difference. Larger case pieces such as cabinets and entertainment centers are sometimes made of veneered plywood. Although plywood has gotten a rather bad reputation, it is extremely strong, and perfectly straight and flat with no blemishes. An added advantage is that it is much lighter in weight than a solid wood piece. High grade plywood, usually nine layers, can cost as much as hardwood, while lower quality plywood, or particle board is less expensive. Additionally, the type of veneer, which is available in all price ranges, can affect the cost.

The vast majority of furniture sold today is imported, with most of it coming from Italy and China, and some from Mexico and the Phillipines. Most of the higher end furniture comes from the East coast, either Grand Rapids, Michigan or Highpoint, North Carolina, where a lot of hand detail and custom cabinetwork is still done. Except for custom made pieces, all furniture is mass produced. Machinery used to produce furniture is usually designed to make five position cuts. In other words, the wood is run through on the first cut to make the basic frame. If fluting or turning is involved, it is run through a second or third time to make subsequent cuts depending on the degree of detail desired. Although the machine does most of the work, each cut has to be positioned by hand. The more cuts involved, the more labor needed, and the more expensive the piece. For instance, some manufacturers offer a limited number of styles, because they stick to one or two basic frame designs with limited ornamentation. This allows them to produce good quality pieces at a reasonable price.

The level of carved detail and type of finish also affects the cost. Cabriole legs and carved feet take more time to produce, and therefore add to the cost of a piece of furniture. Carving is usually done in one of two ways. It is either carved in place, for example on the leg of a table, or else the individual carved pieces are done separately and then attached to the piece. This is common in imported pieces. Carving done in place involves more skilled labor, and will add to the cost of a piece of furniture. Most finishes are applied by machine, which gives an even coat and a strong, durable protective layer. However, if an antique or handpolished finish is applied, it will add to the cost because of the extra labor involved.

The construction details also affect the price of a piece of furniture. Dovetail, tongue and groove or glued and doweled joints take more time to produce than simple butt joints. Cabinets with drawers and doors involve more wood and more hand detail. Doors that swing out are less expensive to produce than doors that pull open and slide in. Type of hardware adds to the price. Solid brass or crystal knobs are more expensive than glass or brass coated hardware.

Well made furniture doesn't have to be expensive, but it does have to be made of good quality materials, and be well constructed. When your are shopping for furniture ask yourself what features you should expect to get by spending more money. Is that table make of oak or teak; does it have inlay; does it have cabriole legs and carved feet; does it have drawers or a carved apron; does it have a hand polished finish? Make sure you are getting the extra value for your money.

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