When looking for wood furniture, most people commonly compare pine, teak and mahogany right off the bat. They look for style, sturdiness, color and price. They, however, are missing a major option to consider and that is an all-together different wood type: Ipe. Ipe is a next to perfect, high performance wood. It grows abundantly in South-Central America and has a natural resiliency like no other wood on the commercial market.

Also known as Ironwood, Brazilian Walnut or Lapacho, Ipe wood has a teak-like appearance, ranging from rich browns to light amber hues. It is remarkably hard and dense which makes for high dent resistance. Ipe wood can hold 3600 lbs compared to the 690 lbs of pressure treated pine and it is 368 % harder than teak. In simple terms, this means furniture made from Ipe is going to have considerable weight to it, be extremely durable and wear incredibly well. In a 22 year study, the US forest lab in Madison, Wisconsin found the life expectancy of Ipe wood to be greater than 30 years.

Commercial contractors have known about and preferred Ipe for years. It’s their top choice for decking material. Why would that be? Well, aside from the durability of this wood in high traffic areas, it also requires low to no maintenance. Regular stain treatments are completely unnecessary unlike other woods typically used in construction. In fact, Ipe is so naturally dense that it doesn’t take preservatives well. Also, even in an untreated state, Ipe wood is quite fire resistant. Ipe is naturally resistant to rot as well as insect and fungal infestations. Splintering, warping and shrinkage are rare problems even with untreated Ipe. Fasteners do not loosen, pull out or pop up. The factors that make Ipe a favorite in decking also make it a superior choice for wood furniture.

Aside from the physical characteristics as a product, choosing to use Ipe is a more environmentally friendly option. The Ipe tree is not an endangered species and it may grow up to 140 feet tall with a diameter of 6 feet. It is one of the tallest trees in the Amazon region and, therefore, results in more planks of wood compared other trees. Ipe trees also grow in numerous environments from marshes to ridge tops. The trees come from either sustainable forest management projects or agricultural conversion of forest land which is strictly regulated.

When looking to find good furniture, most of the options you’ll find available in the market are made of wood. This is simply because wood has always produced good quality pieces; available in various hues and firmness; durable and long lasting; and they can easily be cut and shaped into the design preferred by the manufacturer. Such are the attributes too, of the pine wood furniture we can purchase from stores or online.

If you’ve decided you finally need to replace your old stuff at home and you are considering buying wood furniture, then deciding which kind of wood on what furniture can be such a challenging task. As you are soon going to find out on your own, there are so many types of woods and finishes that are being offered and each type has its own advantage over the other. Try to clear your mind a bit now as we zoom in to one particular type of wood that is commonly used in furniture making.

Pine wood defined

Since a lot of furniture pieces are made from pine wood like dining tables, chairs, cabinets, or beds; it is best to know what a pine wood is.

There are two types of wood – hardwood and softwood . The classification is primarily based on the tree’s leaves and not on how tough the wood is. The hardwood trees have leaves that fall seasonally while the softwoods have leaves intact all year-round.

Pine is considered softwood and it varies from country to country. Some of the most commonly used pines for furniture in the US include Eastern White Pine, Sugar pine, and Ponderosa. These pine trees produce pine wood that features a light yellow color with dark, standout grains and knots. Pine wood is great for staining and as a softwood, it is easy to carve and work on.

Why Pine wood furniture pieces?

* The unfinished pine wood furniture sells cheaper than other sets made from other kinds of wood and that makes it quite popular.

* Coated with paint or varnish, the pine wood could easily achieve a fine finish. Its natural knots also contribute to making the furniture look really unique.

* Pine wood furniture mixed with other pieces in a room still looks good.

* Great for that rustic look or if you prefer English or Country themes.

* Very flexible in that it can be easily painted to match a room. Designs can be stenciled on it for more original creations. It can also be repainted again and again depending on the changing preferences of the user.

Since there are quite a few kinds of pine wood available it is good to know first what you really want for your decor. Compared to hardwood, pine is much more pliable in that it can be easily manipulated or worked on. If manufactured excellently, a piece of pine wood furniture can last for a long, long time. As there are really knots naturally found on pine wood, it is wise to check for those furniture with less knots as these can create holes that can make the furniture less durable.