What materials are cheap beds made from? This is usually chipboard or solid pine. Two options from which consumers are given the opportunity to choose the most suitable one. And in order to make a choice, it is worth knowing the features of both chipboard and solid wood. So let's study their properties.
Chipboard
The production of chipboard involves the use of a special mixture as a feedstock, consisting of wood chips and resins. It goes through the pressing stage, resulting in a slab.
Even with such a simple consideration of the manufacturing process, it becomes clear that:
- the slab has insufficient strength (especially in places where fasteners are used);
- the use of resin may be unsafe if it is of insufficiently good quality (which can easily be found among unscrupulous manufacturers).
All owners of chipboard furniture know how difficult it is to re-fasten a screw that has been removed from the board so that the sawdust does not crumble and the fasteners do not come out again. If, for example, you are planning, the fastening of which increases the number of holes, then be prepared for the problem of sawdust crumbling into the places where the plate is fastened.
The problem of using resin as a substance connecting wood chips can also become a reason for someone to refuse furniture made from chipboard. There is a standard that determines the rate of release of these substances. But there is no guarantee that all manufacturers strive to meet this standard, so it would be a good idea to look at the certificate of conformity.
The obvious advantage is the low cost of furniture, but it is not worth pursuing when it comes to health.
Solid wood
If you compare an array of furniture with chipboard, you can immediately identify such advantages as:
- environmental friendliness due to natural origin;
- practicality, expressed in strength and greater resistance to moisture than chipboard;
- aesthetic appeal due to the unique pattern of wood.
Wood is quite susceptible to scratches, chips and other mechanical damage, but chipboard is not ideal in this regard. But the price is quite comparable to furniture made from chipboard, if for comparison we take solid pine, and not some valuable wood.
Conclusion
Since pine beds and chipboards are in the same price category, solid wood products are preferable, at least based on the principle of greater strength at the fastening points, not to mention the safety of the raw materials. Although, subject to compliance with production standards, chipboard can also qualify as a completely harmless material.
Wooden beds are loved by many for their attractive appearance, naturalness, durability and ability to create a truly cozy, homely environment. However, is all the furniture that looks like wood actually wood and has these properties? No, not all of it, because due to the high cost, few decide to purchase solid wood furniture, but turn to more affordable, and therefore more attractive, substitutes like chipboard and MDF.
In this article we will try to figure out what modern beds can be made from and what qualities they will have.
Solid wood beds
Let's start with furniture made from solid natural wood. In its production, high-quality, well-dried wood without knots and cracks is taken; it can be either whole boards or assembled boards from individual pieces connected with glue (glued laminated board), which are then sanded and varnished. At the same time, to ensure that the bed does not emit harmful substances, it is important that high-quality, environmentally friendly water-based varnish is used. Beds made from solid noble wood are valued primarily for the beauty of their texture, hardness, strength, and durability. Each breed is distinguished by its individuality and uniqueness of its pattern, shade, noticeable aroma and warmth. Among the different types of wood, mahogany, oak, beech, ash, birch are considered the best, since they have the greatest strength, do not creak and become less loose over time, preserving the beauty and nobility of the surface for a long time.Often, those who cannot afford expensive furniture made of noble wood choose a pine bed, which is significantly cheaper in price. Pine has its drawbacks: it is relatively soft, so the screw joints in such furniture can become loose over time, and over time, when drying, unevenness and pits may appear in the pine boards.
The pliability of natural wood has ensured that furniture made from it is always decorated with a variety of carvings and patterns, which makes your bed elegant and unique. It is precisely because of this uniqueness that it is recommended to purchase elements of a bedroom set not separately, but the entire set at once (usually a bed, wardrobe, bedside tables, chest of drawers), since then you may simply not find components that will fit with those already purchased.
However, solid natural wood is a very expensive material and not accessible to everyone, so such furniture is purchased for many years, or even for life.
Today, furniture manufacturing companies offer a wide variety of custom-made options. And one of the main issues that needs to be resolved is the choice of material. In this article we will try to understand what advantages and disadvantages are present in the most popular furniture materials:
- solid wood
Furniture made from chipboard and MDF, when compared with furniture made from solid wood, has an undeniable advantage - a more reasonable cost. Furniture sets that are made from solid wood, for example, oak, alder, walnut, beech, are a kind of classic that will always be in fashion. The best interiors were created and are created today with the help of elements of such furniture. Solid wood furniture is a classic example of interior design; it will make the environment warm and cozy. After all, wood products are distinguished by their beauty, naturalness, and environmental friendliness; they can completely change any home and saturate it with positive energy.
Furniture companies that make kitchens from solid wood highlight the following advantages:
- natural materials
- individual approach to any client
- perfect quality of manufactured kitchen cabinets
- exclusive design solutions
- unlimited period of operation
You can also note four characteristics of natural furniture, in which neither chipboard products nor MDF products can yet compete with it:
- environmental friendliness. Products made from solid wood do not have chemical impurities, which means they cannot harm your health.
- practicality. There is an opinion that wood is a very capricious material, however, precisely as a result of its natural properties, it has increased resistance to moisture and rot than products made from chipboard or MDF.
- aesthetics. Today, the surface of MDF can completely imitate wood. However, this is just an imitation. And the only thing better than a wooden bed is a bed made of a rare type of wood.
- energy of wood. Everyone knows that trees share the pure energy of nature with humans. For example, oak helps to gain clear thoughts and strength, and beech brings a charge of invigorating energy, which cannot be said about chipboard. But the fact that formaldehyde resins, which are part of the chipboard and release gas into the air, causes depression - scientists have already proven this.
Solid wood and MDF furniture
MDF is a medium-density fiberboard. Fiberboard is created from waste from the wood processing industry or from forests that are subject to felling. These materials are crushed into small cubes, after which they are treated with steam, which is supplied under high pressure, and then the cubes are sent to the disks of the grinding machine. The ground material is sent for drying and further gluing. Wood particles are glued together with paraffin or lignin, so MDF is an extremely environmentally friendly material. The price of MDF is higher than chipboard, but in this case there is no need to save. First of all, MDF does not release substances hazardous to health. In addition, the strength of MDF is almost 100% higher than that of chipboard.
Disadvantages of MDF:
- MDF is a highly flammable material,
- MDF boards are often characterized by low resistance to moisture,
- prone to mechanical damage.
Solid wood and veneer furniture
If you are looking for a reasonable and beneficial compromise, then veneer furniture and trim will be your best choice. Veneer is thin sheets of wood removed from a log by sawing or peeling. The advantages of veneer products include slower aging compared to natural solid wood, practicality and convenience. In addition, natural veneer looks like wood, that is, it has high aesthetic appeal.
Veneer is the golden mean between chipboard and solid wood. Veneer is more expensive than chipboard furniture, but much cheaper than natural furniture. At the same time, the decorative properties of veneer can be compared to solid wood. For this reason, furniture factories use veneer to make beds, wardrobes, and kitchens. For example, a bed made of veneer looks like a product made of solid wood, because there are no joints on the edges of the parts, but in chipboard they are very noticeable.
A high degree of wear of veneer kitchen units is achieved by coating it with polyurethane primers and varnishes. After which you get a reliable item that is not afraid of scratches, moisture and temperature changes. In addition, veneer furniture can be exposed to direct sunlight; it does not dry out.
How to care for solid wood and veneer furniture
- immediately after purchase, you need to wipe all furniture outside and inside with a soft, dry cloth, especially if delivery was made in winter,
- several times a month it is advisable to use special polishes for wooden products, for example, Pronto, but you should carefully study the instructions before use,
- To remove food stains and liquids, you can use a damp, well-wrung out cloth, and then be sure to wipe the surface with a soft cloth.
People who prefer a refined and elite atmosphere buy solid wood products. Kitchens, wardrobes and even bathroom shelves and arrays emphasize not only taste, but also status. Well-thought-out solid wood furniture elements in the interior will create a luxurious and respectable atmosphere in your home. In addition to standard types of wood, for example, beech, oak, cherry, walnut, many companies also offer more valuable types of wood, for example, mahogany or ebony, rosewood, wenge.
Factory manufacturing technology
Modern furniture is a high-tech product, the creation of which involves designers, computerized machines and a variety of materials, each of which has its own pros and cons. Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of the most common materials for making furniture: metal, solid wood, chipboard (chipboard) and MDF.
Metal furniture
Metal has been used since ancient times to make furniture and accessories. The magnificent chair that was found in the tomb of Tutankhamun (14th century BC) was richly decorated with elements made of pure gold. In Ancient Greece, iron, bronze and silver were used to make furniture. In the Middle Ages, metal chairs, such as the throne of Dagobert I, the 17th-century Frankish king, were used for special ceremonies. Silver furniture was produced in huge quantities to decorate palaces. But during numerous wars, silver objects were melted down into coins and in subsequent centuries the metal was used to strengthen and decorate wooden furniture.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, iron furniture became a typical industrial product. Iron beds have gained particular popularity. A famous example is the iron bed that Napoleon used while serving his exile on the island of St. Helena.
The possibilities of using materials such as steel and aluminum to make furniture were first explored in Germany in the 1920s. This issue was dealt with especially closely at the Bauhaus Higher School of Construction and Artistic Design, where various experiments with modern materials took place. Thus, steel springs and chrome-plated steel tubes were tested here for the first time. Soon, the possibilities of using metal pipes to make furniture frames were appreciated both in the Old World and in America.
In the mid-20th century, metal furniture lost its relevance. Both abroad and in Russia during the era of socialism, metal furniture was used mainly in industrial enterprises, medical, sports, educational institutions, military units, etc.
Now the fashion for metal furniture has begun to revive. At first it entered office interiors, and now it is increasingly occupying a place in houses decorated in the high-tech and antique style.
Advantages
Strength
The strength and durability of metal is an indisputable fact. Metal furniture can withstand use for decades and can be assembled and disassembled an unlimited number of times.
Resistance to microclimate changes
Metal furniture is famous for its resistance to changes in temperature and humidity conditions. That is why, when choosing garden furniture, preference is given to metal products - they can easily withstand both rain and scorching sun, and will happily serve their owners for many years.
Style
Metal products attract attention with their unique style. Due to the fact that they are made of rods, the furniture is perceived as a very light and transparent structure. And the plasticity of metal allows you to create the most incredible twisted and figured decorations for furniture.
Environmental friendliness
Metal furniture is made from a material that is heated and forged, stamped with further welding and painting. As you might guess, thanks to this technology, a metal product is highly environmentally friendly and lacks any dangerous odors or fumes.
Flaws
Heavy weight
Metal furniture has significant weight, so when choosing it, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of furniture damaging floor coverings - parquet, solid boards. Another consequence of the significant weight of metal furniture is difficulties during its assembly - disassembly, transportation - in order to assemble, disassemble or transport such furniture, at least two people are needed.
Tactile sensations
Metal is a cold material to the touch, and for many this becomes a significant factor influencing the choice of furniture. This feature of the metal is explained by its high thermal conductivity. Upon contact with it, the heat of our body quickly flows into the metal and it is not enough to heat the metal to body temperature - and we feel a sharp cold.
A striking example of this property of metal is frozen metal handles in winter. If you touch them with your bare hand, even at a slight minus, the skin feels a burning cold.
Traumaticity
Metal is a traumatic furniture material. According to the Brinell table, it has one of the highest hardness coefficients. This means that, practically without being subject to deformation upon impact, metal furniture does not absorb the force of the impact, but rather returns it to the object that collided with it. In this regard, accidental bruises on metal furniture turn into very painful abrasions. An illustrative example is one that almost each of us has encountered in daily life: if you drop a porcelain cup on a metal surface, it will break into small fragments, but if it falls on a tree, then in the worst case it will crack, and in the best case it will remain intact. .
Very often, metal furniture is chosen for its twisted patterns. If there are small children in the family, such openwork furniture can become a serious threat to their safety. Curious kids can stick their fingers into the holes of the patterns, and this can result in their fingers getting stuck in the metal decor.
MDF furniture
MDF is a medium density fiberboard. MDF arose as a development of the dry production method. The beginning of industrial production of MDF dates back to 1966 (USA). The technology was based on the wet method. In the seventies, production using the dry method was developed with an annual production of MDF of 380 thousand cubic meters. (1975). At the end of 1990, there were already 74 MDF production plants operating in the world with a total capacity of 6.8 million cubic meters.
Today, MDF is an active competitor to chipboard. In particular, according to the forecasts of the European Federation of Panel Materials, the trend towards expansion of production in Europe will continue in the near future and will amount to 25% per year with the initial volume of 2000 being 7.1 million cubic meters. World MDF production is approximately 20 million cubic meters.
Advantages
Environmental friendliness
The environmental friendliness of MDF is explained by its manufacturing technology. The raw material for the production of this furniture material is wood fibers. They are dried and treated with binders, then a carpet is formed, followed by hot pressing and grinding. Since the production of MDF uses urea resins modified with melamine, the level of formaldehyde emissions is low. The formaldehyde content per 100 g of dry board is usually less than 8 mg, less often - 10 mg. For comparison, in the case of chipboard this figure reaches 18-30.
Water resistance
Another indicator that wood boards have today is hydrophobicity. Being in direct contact with water for 24 hours, 30-38 mm MDF panels practically do not absorb moisture (less than 8% swelling) and do not warp. Their thinner counterparts are also inert towards water: according to EN 317, the swelling of 6-9 mm slabs is less than 17%. At the same time, the panels’ own humidity fluctuates around 4-8%.
Variety of colors and decors
The front part of MDF panels is treated with either melamine-coated paper or varnished veneer made from valuable wood species. This makes it possible to give the panel a beautiful and aesthetic appearance and choose from a wide variety of colors and textures. In addition, a layer of melamine and wear-resistant varnish reliably protect the panels from moisture and prevent the surface from fading under the influence of sunlight.
The variety of patterns and wide range of colors for decorating panels make it possible to choose an MDF design to suit every taste, in accordance with the interior and style of the room whose walls will be finished with this material.
Easy care
MDF panels require minimal and simple care - it is enough to occasionally wipe the boards with a damp cloth or one of the special products that are sold in abundance in stores. MDF panels are easy to dismantle, so if necessary, any damaged areas can be quickly replaced.
Flaws
High price
An important disadvantage of MDF is its high price.
High temperature resistance
MDF is a highly flammable material, so contact of surfaces with open flames or rapidly heating surfaces is a potential risk of ignition. Since, according to manufacturing technology, the main process that ensures the gluing of certain types of films to an MDF board is heating, such furniture is not recommended for use near heating devices - under the influence of high temperatures, the outer decorative coating may peel off.
Instability to mechanical stress
MDF structures are vulnerable to mechanical stress, which is due to the average density of fine fractions. Since the slab has a non-monolithic structure, during repeated disassembly and reassembly, the holes into which the screws are screwed crumble, and the reliability of the connection decreases.
Chipboard furniture
One of the most common and at the same time young furniture materials is chipboard (chipboard). Chipboard furniture in its current form was first produced in 1940 in the USA as temporary furniture for refugees. Since then, chipboard, due to its low price, has become widespread throughout the world.
Advantages
Low price
Chipboard is a material that has the lowest price compared to other furniture materials. This price is explained by the fact that for its production waste from the wood processing industry is used, which themselves have a very low cost. Their further processing also costs the manufacturer much less than the processing of other furniture materials.
Large selection of colors
Since the appearance of the board depends on what kind of film is used to cover it, chipboard furniture can have a variety of colors and patterns. Therefore, the range of chipboard products allows you to satisfy almost any taste and preference.
Possibility to purchase additional furniture at any time
It is quite simple to give a chipboard slab a particular appearance - you just need to choose a film with a different design. Thanks to this, a set of chipboard furniture can be purchased over time. When ordering products matched to previously purchased pieces of chipboard furniture, you only need to know the manufacturer, the color and texture of the film that was used to cover the chipboard board, and the new piece of furniture will be made in exactly the same design.
High technological effectiveness of the material
To produce furniture from chipboard, a minimum set of technological operations is required - cutting, edging and additives. Therefore, furniture made from chipboard can be produced in a short time. At the same time, the cost of furniture due to production costs increases slightly, thereby ensuring a low price level for the finished product.
Flaws
Toxicity
Chipboard contains toxic impurities, primarily formaldehyde, which can be released into the air and is present in resins, which are an essential component of composite wood-based materials. Frequent contact with this gas can cause significant harm to human health. Thus, the World Health Organization confirms that constantly inhaled formaldehyde has the ability to accumulate in the human body, causing harm to the skin, respiratory system, reproductive system, eyes, leading to the occurrence of cancer.
The chipboard manufacturing technology requires the use of a large volume of resin. To obtain a standard board, it is necessary to mix chips and resin in the following ratio: per 100 kg of dry chips - at least 37 kg of resin, that is, an average quality chipboard should consist of almost a third of resin. Such a high percentage of resin content means that the chipboard can continue to “float” with formaldehyde for 14 years. The highest concentration of formaldehyde evaporation occurs in the first 6 months of operation; over the years, the evaporation intensity gradually decreases.
Sharp corners
Due to the fact that chipboard is a slab material, sharp corners are an inherent disadvantage of furniture made from it. Even if radius parts are cut out of a chipboard slab, their ends are still made at an angle, without roundings. Therefore, when choosing furniture made from chipboard, it is advisable to take into account the increased risk of causing damage to yourself as a result of an accidental collision with it.
Fragility
Chipboard has one of the lowest strength and durability values. Over time, the density of chipboard decreases - the adhesives used to hold the chips together evaporate and after 10-14 years, due to their lack, the boards begin to collapse, furniture becomes brittle, fasteners fall out of crumbling holes.
Since the composite material consists of particles glued together, furniture made of chipboard, like furniture made of metal or solid wood, cannot be subjected to repeated assembly and disassembly. The holes in the chipboards, into which self-tapping screws and self-tapping screws are repeatedly screwed, are destroyed, crumble, and the stability and strength of the structure decreases.
Deformation due to moisture
If we talk about the resistance of chipboard to moisture, it should be noted that this material is very afraid of water. When exposed to moisture, chipboard swelling is up to 33%. Moreover, after drying, the swollen chipboard does not take its original shape.
Solid wood furniture
Wood is the oldest material for making furniture. There is an opinion that carpentry appeared in ancient Egypt, when people, using simple tools, began to make individual furniture elements, for example, a chair with a back or a bed.
The solid wood is a little younger. One of the ancient analogues of the technology for producing laminated veneer lumber is the bow of Japanese warriors. Since the 12th century, the arc of small arms in Japan began to be made by gluing components from bamboo and wood, which significantly increased its elasticity, strength, reliability, accuracy and range of hitting the target.
Since the entire history of mankind has an evolutionary nature, over time, more and more new devices for processing wood appeared, and furniture designs became more complex. Nowadays, the craftsmanship of making wooden furniture has reached a truly highest level, when pieces of furniture can be made to order in absolutely any style or according to a completely unique individual project.
Advantages
Environmental friendliness
Solid wood furniture is made from natural wood, which, due to its natural origin, does not contain toxic substances hazardous to health. Moreover, coniferous trees can release essential oils into the air. And they are not only not dangerous to health, but also have a beneficial effect on humans, which has already become a fact proven by medicine.
Strength
Solid wood furniture, having all the advantages of monolithic natural wood, surpasses it in strength. The fact is that in solid wood there is strong internal tension in the fibers, which leads to cracking. In an array, which consists of lamellas spliced and glued together, the stress is compensated by sawing the fibers.
Solid wood furniture, like metal furniture, can withstand multiple assemblies and disassemblies. A serious advantage of solid wood furniture compared to forged metal counterparts is its much lower weight, which makes assembly, disassembly and transportation easier.
Ergonomics and safety
On average, a person uses furniture for 15-20 years - during this period he passes by it at least 2 times a day, that is, at least 11,000 times during its entire operation. This means that exactly the same number of times he runs the risk of getting some kind of damage by hitting the corners of the furniture. In order to reduce this risk, furniture should have the most smooth, injury-proof outlines - without sharp corners.
Solid wood has the greatest potential among other materials for creating such furniture: any three-dimensional shapes can be cut from it; under pressure and at high temperatures, wood bends perfectly and takes the desired shape.
The plasticity of wood was appreciated back in the 19th century. In 1840, the furniture factory of Michael Thonet offered consumers furniture made from bent wood. This was the first furniture of this class, which became very popular among consumers. Nowadays, computerized machines and powerful vacuum presses are used to produce radius products from solid wood.
If we talk about the safety of solid wood in terms of shock absorption, among the furniture materials under consideration, solid wood is the softest. When you hit a wooden piece of furniture, it takes a significant part of the impact, thereby reducing the traumatic impact of the collision. By the way, in the automotive industry, special importance is attached to the ability of materials to absorb impact - their hardness and rigidity are even specially reduced so that in the event of an accident, the car can absorb most of the force of the impact, thereby protecting its passenger from injury.
Pleasant tactile sensations
Wood has one of the lowest thermal conductivity coefficients: for comparison, for metal this coefficient is 370 times higher. Low thermal conductivity explains the feeling of warmth that occurs when touching a wooden surface. The fact is that when touched, the heat we give off hardly penetrates deep into the wood, managing to quickly warm its outer layers, and as a result, it seems to us as if the furniture is warming our palm.
Flaws
Live material
In its natural state, wood has a moisture content of 40-60%. At different times of the year, its humidity can either increase (during rains) or decrease (during drought). After treatment, the wood retains this ability to “breathe” and therefore changes in the microclimate can affect it - under the influence of heat, the wooden product loses moisture and cracks. On the other hand, an environment that is too humid can also have a negative effect on wooden furniture: after being saturated with moisture and then drying out, the wood may crack. By the way, in order to maintain the presentable appearance of wooden furniture, it is enough to maintain the temperature and humidity balance in the room, which is necessary for a person’s well-being - favorable microclimate conditions coincide for wood and people.
Complexity of production
The technology for producing furniture from solid wood is multi-stage and complex. The production cycle includes more than 10 cycles. This explains the higher price of finished solid wood products and longer production times.
Unique color
Since each cut tree has its own unique pattern and color, when purchasing pieces of furniture over time, it is difficult to find a similar pattern and color. When a set is purchased at a time, during its manufacture the wood is selected by hand to ensure that these characteristics match as closely as possible. When different items of a set are purchased with a gap in time, it is difficult for the master to choose the color and design of the product without having in front of his eyes the item to which they need to be adjusted.