23/03/2015
Oak - Why You Should't Buy Any Other Furniture
There is a wide variety of wood options to choose from when selecting furniture for your home. Each has its own set of pros and cons to be considered before going ahead and making a purchase. However, there are certainly woods that beat the competition time and time again when vying for the top spot in the popularity stakes.
Oak is a frequent high ranker when looking at furniture for both the home and the office. So why is this hardwood such a popular choice for some many?
It’s Tough Stuff
With a very high density when compared to other woods, oak is a hardy material that easily stands the test of time. Every oak purchase is a potential heirloom to pass down to the next generations of your family, making them have wonderful sentimental value within a home.
As well as the physical hardness of the wood, oak also has a high tannin content. What this means to you, as a potential owner, is that your oak furniture will be very resistant to both fungal and insect infestation. Another reason for the popularity of this material.
It’s Beautiful
One of the most striking features of oak is the beautiful grain it boasts that can be further enhanced in the way it is crafted and finished. Oak furniture has presence, sophistication and elegance. It can claim the focus of a room without dominating it. Oak wood also has unmistakable natural warmth that comes through in every piece, adding to the ambience of any room of the house.
Further to this, the versatility of this hardwood means that your choice of furniture is vast. Choose from traditional or contemporary styles and from simple, clean surfaces or elaborate embellishments and engravings.
It’s Historical
More so than other hardwoods that furniture is made from, oak has a long and fascinating history, adding prestige to your purchase that few other materials do. Antique pieces often come with a backstory that makes owning them even more of a pleasure, especially for history fans.
It’s Green
Oak furniture is one of the easiest materials to stay environmentally friendly with. Giving antique pieces a new home means you’re not contributing to any new trees being cut down, and even if the antique look is not your taste, you can still go for refurbished newer pieces or opt for furniture created from deconstructed items.
However, that’s not to say that going for new pieces has to be detrimental either. Oak is one of the most sustainable and protected materials in the modern day with more and more sprawling oak plantations cropping up all over Europe and beyond. You merely need to enquire as to the source to find out whether your prospective piece comes ‘guilt free’ to you.
Oak furniture is generally pricier than other hardwoods you can opt for. However, there are ways to keep costs down with refurbished pieces and the like. However, the higher price is reflective of the investment you get every time you buy a piece of oak furniture.
