Why is Oak Furniture So Popular?
For centuries, oak has been used to produce high quality, long lasting and attractive contemporary furniture. Pieces of oak furniture made hundred of years ago remain in use and as good as new today - as do many buildings made with oak beams and panelling.
Solid oak furniture simply offers a combination of benefits that almost no other material can match.
Why Choose Solid Oak Furniture?
Modern oak furniture combines the traditional attractions of oak - durability and ready availability - with warm, neutral colours and simple elegant styling. The result is contemporary furniture that complements modern homes very well.
It's true, of course, that other woods used in modern furniture offer similar aesthetic benefits - sometimes at lower prices. However, what makes oak unique is its underlying durability and suitability for furniture making.
Not only is oak a true hardwood - with a much greater density than most of the quick-growing woods usually used in contemporary furniture - but its tannin-rich bark enables it to withstand attacks by parasite and fungus much more successfully than most other types of wood. Oak is also native to northern Europe and available from within the UK, unlike many of the woods used in modern furniture manufacture.
When you combine all these advantages, it becomes clear that oak furniture offers an unbeatable set of benefits and qualities - whether your priority is style, tradition or durability.
Caring For Oak Furniture
While oak is incredibly long lasting and durable, it does require a little care if it is to remain at its best.
A few times a year, solid oak furniture should be lightly coated with natural beeswax. This will soak into the wood and nourish it - preventing it drying out too much and helping maintain the polished finish of the wood.
Other than that, you just need to take a few basic precautions to ensure your oak stays in good shape and keeps its natural good looks:
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth - don't use spray polish or any other household cleaning products, as these may permanently stain solid oak
- Wipe up spillages immediately and allow the wood to dry naturally
- Avoid long-term exposure to direct sunlight or excessive, dry heat (e.g. directly by a radiator)
- Try to avoid any exposure to household chemicals or cosmetic products - these have the potential to alter the appearance of natural oak.
Save Money by Buying Solid Oak Furniture
Although oak furniture can cost more than other wooden furniture when new, its quality and durability means that it will outlast most other furniture, too.
Problems such as loose joints, delamination, discolouration and warping simply don't affect properly cared-for oak furniture. Oak's durability means that buying good quality solid oak furniture will almost certainly save you money in the long run. You will also gain a beautiful piece of furniture that may almost become part of the family and should last forever.
When you look at it in that light, solid oak furniture is a natural choice - don't you think?