Solid wood products are a timeless investment that brings natural warmth and durability to your home. But how do you make the right choice in terms of both quality and style? We share expert advice to help you select quality wooden products that will delight you for decades.
Why choose solid wood products?
Solid wood furniture has been a cornerstone of home furnishing for centuries, and not without reason. These products offer several advantages:
- Durability and strength – properly maintained, solid wood furniture can last for generations
- Easy to maintain – with special cleaning products, you can extend the life of your furniture
- Timeless beauty – wood adds warmth and character to a space that fits with almost any interior design
- Restoration potential – even if a wooden surface gets damaged, it can be treated and renewed
- Environmental friendliness – wood is a renewable resource, especially when it comes from responsibly managed forests
Compared to other materials, such as MDF or plasterboard, solid wood offers a unique combination of beautiful appearance, durability, and naturalness. As an old Estonian proverb says: “Wood warms you three times – when you cut it, when you burn it, and when it protects you.” With solid wood furniture, you can add a fourth – its beauty also warms the heart for decades.
How to choose the right type of wood?
Different wood species offer different properties that are suitable for different purposes.
Birch glued laminated timber
Birch is a lighter-toned wood with a uniform structure, known for its strength and durability. Birch laminated wood is particularly strong as it combines the natural properties of solid wood with glue, making it even stronger. It is ideal for:
- Kitchen furniture
- Work surfaces
- Lighter structures
The advantage of birch laminated timber lies in its light and modern appearance, which fits well with Scandinavian-style interiors. Birch has a uniform and dense structure, making it an excellent material for details that require precise processing.
Oak glued laminated timber
Oak is one of the strongest and most durable wood species used in Estonia. Its natural texture and warm tone add a luxurious look to furniture. Oak is perfect for:
- Dining tables
- Coffee tables
- Floors and moldings
- Long-term use furniture
Oak is a timeless choice whose distinctive texture becomes more beautiful over the years. Oak laminated timber combines the beauty of classic oak wood with the better stability of glued laminated timber. It is especially suitable for interiors with a rich look, where the natural elegance of wooden surfaces is appreciated.
Pine wood
Pine is a soft wood species that is easily processed and affordable. It is well-suited for:
- Children’s beds
- Cabinets
- Shelving
Pine wood is traditionally popular in Estonia, adding warmth and a cozy atmosphere to the home. Its light tone reflects light and makes rooms more spacious. Pine products are characterized by a light texture and visible knots, which give each item a unique appearance.
What to pay attention to when selecting solid wood products?
1. Check the production quality
You can recognize a quality solid wood product by several indicators:
- Even finish – surfaces should be smoothly sanded, without rough spots
- Quality joints – connection points should be precisely fitted and strong
- Consistent color and texture – although wood has natural variations, the overall impression should be harmonious
Research the company’s background and ensure they follow high-quality standards. For example, Riverbank OÜ is an FSC® FSC-C168312 certified company, ensuring that the wood used in their products comes from responsibly managed forests.
Make sure the wood product doesn’t contain too many or too large knots, which can affect both aesthetics and strength. With quality wooden furniture, knots are part of the design, not a defect. Good wood manufacturers carefully select wood and use knots as design elements.
2. Consider the intended use
Different rooms and uses require wood materials with different properties:
- Kitchen furniture and work surfaces – choose durable and moisture-resistant material like oak or birch laminated timber
- Living room furniture – focus on aesthetics and durability
- Children’s room – prefer safe and easy-to-clean solid wood that withstands active use
Think about your daily lifestyle. If you have small children or pets at home, it’s worth choosing more durable wood species and finishes that can withstand more intensive use. At the same time, if the item is intended more as a decorative element, you can choose more delicate or exotic wood species.
3. Compare laminated timber and solid products
Laminated timber products are made from wood lamellae glued together, which gives the product several advantages:
- Greater stability and less tendency to warp or crack
- Ability to create larger products with more specific dimensions
- More efficient use of resources, making it a more environmentally friendly choice
With laminated timber products, it’s worth knowing that they are structurally stronger than solid wood – especially when quality glue and the right production technology are used. For example, birch laminated timber is suitable for surfaces bearing greater loads such as kitchen countertops or dining tables thanks to its structure.
At the same time, solid wood products made from a single piece of wood have the advantage of:
- Classic look and authenticity
- Possibility to refinish and restore the product
Solid wood is especially popular for valuable and traditional furniture items. However, nowadays the quality and appearance of laminated timber products are so high that they are often difficult to distinguish from solid wood.
4. Look at the quality of the finish
The finish largely determines the durability and appearance of a wooden product:
- Oiling – brings out the natural beauty and texture of wood, easy to maintain and renew
- Lacquering – provides stronger protection, especially in moist environments such as kitchens or bathrooms
- Waxing – creates a soft and natural look, but requires regular maintenance
Both the quality of materials used and precision of work are important in the finishing process. A quality finish should be uniform, highlight the natural beauty of the wood, and provide adequate protection for everyday use. Ask the manufacturer what finishing materials have been used and how to maintain them.
How to combine aesthetics and durability?
Solid wood products can be both beautiful and practical. Here are some tips:
Combine different wood species
Combining different wood species can create a visually interesting interior design:
- Use lighter birch for ceilings or wall panels and darker oak for flooring or furniture
- Create contrasts with different textures and tones
Using different wood species in one room creates visual dynamics and depth. For example, you can combine a darker oak dining table with lighter birch chairs, or pine shelves with oak details. This creates a harmonious but not monotonous impression.
Think about long-term design
Invest in solid wood products with classic designs that don’t succumb to fashion trends:
- Simple and clean lines
- Functions that serve your daily needs
- Neutral tones that match different interior design styles
Think about how your chosen furniture piece might look in 10 or 20 years. Wood products with classic designs, such as simple solid wood dining tables or coffee tables, adapt well to different style changes. Often, a new finish or different accessories are enough to update a piece of furniture.
Consider environmental friendliness
Solid wood products are inherently environmentally friendly, especially when:
- You use products made from certified wood (e.g., FSC)
- You prefer local wood, which reduces the environmental impact of transportation
- You maintain and reuse wooden items, extending their lifespan
As an environmentally conscious consumer, it’s worth investigating whether the manufacturer uses sustainable forestry principles. FSC certification is a good indicator – it confirms that the wood comes from responsibly managed forests that consider both environmental and local community welfare.
How to maintain solid wood products?
Proper maintenance is the key to the longevity of solid wood products:
- Clean regularly – use special wood cleaning products that remove dirt but don’t damage the finish. Avoid aggressive chemicals that can harm the wood.
- Avoid direct sunlight – long-term strong sunlight can cause wood to fade. If a piece of furniture is in a sunny spot, use curtains or blinds or consider relocating the furniture.
- Maintain stable humidity levels – environments that are too dry or too humid can cause wood to expand or contract. This is particularly important in winter when heating systems can make indoor air too dry.
- Periodically renew the finish – re-oil or re-lacquer products when you notice signs of wear. Oiled surfaces should be renewed about once a year or as needed; for lacquered surfaces, the interval can be longer.
- Always use coasters – always use coasters under hot or moist items to avoid rings or stains on the wood. Even a water glass can leave a mark on wood if it’s regularly placed in the same spot.
Maintenance rituals can even become a pleasant tradition – for example, spring or autumn “refreshing” of furniture with oil gives wooden surfaces a new shine and significantly extends their lifespan.
Conclusion
Solid wood products are not only beautiful interior elements but also smart investments for the future. By choosing quality materials that meet your needs and aesthetic preferences, you can enjoy their beauty and practicality for decades.
Solid wood furniture “lives” with you – over decades, it collects family memories, becomes a beloved part of your home interior, and can even turn into a legacy to pass on to future generations. Such furniture tells a story – your family’s story.
Riverbank OÜ offers a diverse selection of high-quality solid wood products ranging from solid wood dining tables and coffee tables to children’s beds and work surfaces. All their products are made from carefully selected wood, ensuring both quality and environmental friendliness.
Invest in solid wood products that grow with you, tell a story, and create a legacy that you can pass on to future generations.