Pros and Cons to Owning Oak Furniture

Oak furniture is one of the oldest type of wood available and dates back several centuries. The quality of oak has made it the top choice for many homeowners when it comes to choice of wood for furniture. Other types of wood are limited with the range of furniture they can produce. As with anything, there are also some negative aspects of oak. Before you purchase any type of furniture, read about some of the pros and cons of oak furniture.

Pros of Oak Furniture

Oak is one of the most resilient and durable hardwoods today. Because of its durability, it is frequently used for flooring, to build ships and railroad ties. Furniture made of oak will last for centuries. It is one of the finest investments you can make for your home and will last through generations. With regular maintenance, the fine look can be maintained. Unlike some other types of wood, oak doesn’t easily warp with time. You can rest assured your furniture will be in good shape for many years.

Oak-made furniture is unique and attractive. Not many furniture materials can surpass oak in the timeless beauty and luxury it represents. Oakwood undergoes a natural color change with time. You will notice distinct color hues on your furniture. This gives your furniture some element of character, which makes it all the more desirable.

Cons

The high cost of oak can be a deterrent when purchasing. Surprisingly, in spite of its remarkable strength, oak scratches easily. Sharp objects can easily spoil the surface beauty of your furniture. This can be a disappointment given the financial investment involved to acquire oak items. If yours is a household filled with young children and pets, you may want to reconsider the oak option.

Oakwood is very heavy. This will be reflected in the weight of your furniture. Shifting the furniture during room organization calls for quite some labor. Although the maintenance procedures for oak items is fairly easy, you need to be consistent in care. Avoid placing the furniture on a heated floor as heat spoils the wood.

Also, direct sunlight is not good for oak. Strong sunlight will cause color streaks or darkening of the furniture. Oak doesn’t hold up well to constant exposure with moisture. Moisture spoils the wood grain. You need to wipe all spills from oak as soon as they occur. Leave them unattended and you will soon notice your furniture loose its beauty. It is important to maintain humidity at moderate levels to prevent your oak pieces from spoiling. It is a good idea to keep a few houseplants to help balance the humidity levels.