A guide to choosing the right wood and wooden materials for your home

If you have been shopping for furniture and are confused about the different descriptions of the materials, you are not alone. From natural solid woods to the manmade engineered wood varieties, there are a lot of options in the market today that make even buying a chair a mind-boggling task. We have created a comprehensive guide to walk you through the different kinds of wood available in the market, the pros and cons of each and their uses.

What is engineered wood?

Engineered or composite wood includes a range of products. These factory-made materials are created using a mixture of wood fibres, sawdust, glues, resin and chemicals. The exterior design is improved using natural wood veneers or decorative laminates. Engineered wood can be quite durable and some versions are waterproof making it good for use in areas like bathrooms. It is also suitable for decorative wall claddings, ceiling panels, flooring, wardrobes, desks, bookshelves and modular kitchens. If you are using it for items like wall claddings, furniture, wardrobes, cabinetry, etc., you will need to finish it with paint, veneers or laminates.

Popular kinds of engineered wood used in India

Uses: Available in boards of different thicknesses, the durable material can be used for a variety of purposes from furniture, doors, wall and ceiling panels to flooring, wardrobes, handrails and kitchen hardware. For outdoor applications and use in wet areas like bathrooms, go in for BWR (boiling water resistant) or Marine plywood varieties. Manufactured with no gaps or hollows, these varieties are water-resistant and are treated to make them mould and insect resistant as well.

Mdf Or Medium Density Fibreboard

MDF boards are made by combining wood fibres with wax and a resin binder and forming panels using high temperature and pressure.

Pros: This fairly inexpensive option is easy to work with, allowing for drilling and cutting. It can also be treated to make it resistant to termites.

Cons: MDF, however, tends to sag without support so don’t use it to make shelves and surfaces that carry heavy weights. It is not good in wet areas like outdoors and bathrooms as it soaks up water over time. Since it doesn’t tightly hold screws, rough use can cause features like hinges to come off. MDF boards are manufactured using chemicals that contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which can emit harmful gases when being cut and sanded.  

Uses: Common uses include making furniture like wardrobes, beds and desks finished with a veneer, paint or laminate. It is a good choice for decorative panels and partitions with intricate designs as well as ceiling and wall claddings.

Particleboard Or Low-density Fibreboard

Made using wood chips, sawdust and synthetic resin glued together and pressed into sheets, particleboard is similar to MDF.

Pros: This material is very budget-friendly. With proper treatments, particleboard can be made water and insect resistant.

Cons: It is not as durable as MDF and shouldn’t be used for items that hold hefty loads. It absorbs moisture and cannot hold screws tightly. It also emits formaldehyde and tends to sag over time without support.

Uses: Its main uses include countertops where there is a strong structural framework, as an underlying layer for cabinet doors for decorative accents like window and door trims and ceiling mouldings.

Understanding solid wood

Using solid wood for furniture, flooring and other applications is quite an expensive undertaking. However, these pieces are of great quality, structurally sound and will last a lifetime. If your heart is set on picking up a few beautiful natural wood items for your home, an affordable option is to scour second-hand markets.  

Essentially, solid wood can be broadly classified as hardwoods and softwoods. Usually, hardwoods come from flowering trees like mahogany, teak, oak or walnut trees while softwoods come from coniferous trees like pine and deodar trees. Hardwoods take longer to grow and are denser than softwoods. Hardwoods are also rougher in texture and display prominent, distinct natural grain while softwoods are smoother with a lighter grain.

Popular types of solid wood used in India

HARDWOOD

Hardwoods are strong and durable as well as moisture, insect and rot-resistant. When seasoned and maintained properly, hardwoods are great for exterior structures as well as flooring.

SOFTWOOD

Softwoods are easier to work with and are less expensive than hardwoods. Since these trees grow faster, they are also a more sustainable source of solid wood. However, their lower density makes them not as durable so softwoods are less suitable for high-traffic areas.

Himalayan Cedar Or Deodar

This wood is inexpensive, requires very little maintenance and highly resistant to fungal growth. It is commonly used to build the basic frameworks for furniture and inner panels of wardrobes, perfect for humid climates vulnerable to mould.

PINEWOOD

The creamy white to yellow-toned pinewood is inexpensive, fairly sturdy and lightweight. It has a prominent grain with darker knots. Though beautiful in its natural form with a clear coat, it also takes well to staining and painting. However, it does dent and scratch easily so don’t look at pinewood for timeless pieces. Its common uses include wall claddings, feature ceilings, cabinetry and kids’ furniture.

The pros and cons of solid wood

From furniture to decorative elements to structural framework, going in for solid wood gives you peace of mind because you know you have a beautiful, strong and good quality piece. Solid wood furniture is highly recommended as it will last a lifetime, can be easily refinished or repaired. Solid wood also does not emit any hazardous fumes and has great resale value.

However, it is more expensive than engineered wood. Additionally, since hardwoods are denser, they can sometimes be difficult to cut, hence more challenging to work with. At the end of the day, this is still a natural material. While different types of solid woods are resistant to moisture and weather, there is still a chance of vulnerability to the elements. Wood has the propensity to absorb moisture from the air. This can lead to warping of the wood and fungal growth. Make sure to choose the wood that has been properly seasoned, dried and treated for termites before using it. Know more about Mdf vs plywood which material to choose.