Qualities of the different Types of Pressed Wood used for Furniture

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Pressed wood is utilized in many different types of furniture. According to the Division of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health (UMN), there are a variety of pressed wood products that may be used in furniture.
Particle board is one of the most common types of pressed wood utilized for furniture and is used in pieces like cabinets and shelving. Hardwood plywood paneling is also utilized in cabinets as well as different types of furniture. Medium density fiberboard is often seen in the front portion of drawers, the tops of furniture and cabinets. There are many other types of pressed wood products such as softwood plywood.
Pressed wood is created from a variety of wood particles. These may include wood chips, shavings from a sawmill, and saw dust. It will also include a material to bind it together such as a resin. It can give the look of natural wood, however it is more uniform and does not contain the natural grains of a whole piece of wood. It is often utilized in conjunction with natural wood in furniture. It may be used inside of drawers or in the backs of cabinets, and is often placed in areas that are not very visible.
One of the main reasons why pressed wood is utilized so often in furniture is because it is very inexpensive. It is far cheaper than conventional wood. When manufacturers try to make an inexpensive piece of furniture, they look to cut costs in every area possible.
One concern about pressed wood is that formaldehyde might be present in it. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, pressed wood may have urea-formaldehyde (UF) as a resin. There is some concern about the presence of this chemical and its possible carcinogenic effects.
Pressed wood can range greatly in strength and quality. For instance, one may use pressed wood with a higher quality resin or a particle board that is thicker or more dense. It can also be advantageous to wood because of the fact that it comes in even, pressed sheets. It is not as strong as wood, however and can have difficulty with expansion. When used in shelving, it will often sag as time passes. It is difficult to fix a damaged piece to like new condition.
Pressed wood is utilized in many pieces of furniture today. A consumer should weigh the advantages and disadvantages when deciding whether to purchase a piece with pressed wood.