Comparing Solid Wood Furniture to Chipboard
“we should all be sensible enough, even more so in modern economic times, to realise that we get what we pay for!…”
At Orpheus Interiors, we have long been supplying furniture packages – pointing out [quite rightly!] the superior quality, durability and value for money of our quality products – especially when compared with most of our competitors supplying Bulgarian furniture packages.
Why do we make this claim? Well, one of the most important reasons is that our furniture collections in bulgaria are not made from chipboard. Simple as that!
Our clients [you that is!] naturally look at controlling costs. So you should and so do we!
One of the reasons we started supplying furniture packages in Bulgaria is because we saw the “rip-off” prices people were being charged for poorly designed chipboard furniture.
Not only was it over priced, but also it does not last as long or look as good as real, natural wood furniture.
Don’t be fooled into judging everything on price; compare like for like when considering price, quality and durability. Only then will you get great value for money!
Chipboard [aka particle board] has long been accepted in the manufacture of low cost furniture –typically in the manufacture of cheaper mass market “flat pack” furniture from such as IKEA and others.
Here is an excellent and explanatory article from Wikipedia which acknowledes the practical applications and cost savings of chipboard, yet clearly highlights the compromises made when searching for furniture that not only looks good but will actually last!
“Solid wood has structural advantages over particleboard” the article points out. “It is stronger… allowing it to support greater weights [such] as shelves or other furniture,” whereas “particleboard shelves may visibly sag over time or snap near the fasteners.”
“Screw fasteners should be installed with caution… Otherwise, a fastener may not provide the correct holding power in particleboard over time.”
We at Orpheus Interiors have always had the mission of offering our furniture clients with the very best quality, value and design, and this starts with the very materials used in the manufacture of our furniture.
Part of our superior quality is achieved in the better quality joinery achievable with solid wood or real wood veneered MDF furniture: “It is stronger and much more dense than normal particle board.”
“For example,” Wikipedia continues. “Over torquing [tightening] a screw installed in particleboard would lead to premature failure of the fastener…. Portions of the particleboard may ‘blow out’ when subjected to extension stress.”
There is a total “lack of elasticity in particleboard resins as compared to the long strands and compressible voids contained in solid wood…”
Don’t be fooled into judging everything on price; we should all be sensible enough, even more so in modern economic times, to realise that we get what we pay for and that if something really is value for money then it will last and please proportionate to its quality & cost.
“The strength of particleboard, in the context of the application and cost, can offer advantages over solid wood on a cost basis” says Wikipedia. However, “Solid wood is more durable than particleboard.”
When you consider the durability of your furniture package, you must also consider repair; and this is where cheaper flat-pack chipboard options really do start to come unstuck!
“Damage to solid wood can be repaired by removing and replacing damaged material then refinishing using known wood treatments. Damage to particleboard [however] is typified by structural failure and … is therefore normally very difficult to repair.”
Orpheus Interiors also offers its clients a great set of aftersales services including the furniture MOT. This furniture repair service is available to our customers in Bulgaria on demand – though we recommend a check-up every couple of years on average.
This is to ensure that your furniture is kept in great condition as well as looking good for you and your guests renting an apartment in Bulgaria.
Why am I going to the trouble of writing this article?… to make sure that you know what you are buying when you buy it and perhaps above all…. That you compare like for like when considering price, quality and durability. Only then will you get great value for money!
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