The Commission has taken part in drawing up the draft decree.
In the world of furniture, two main categories have emerged: solid wood and veneered. According to DIN 68871, the German standard for solid wood furniture, **solid wood furniture** is defined as pieces made entirely from solid wood pieces, glued but not veneered [1]. This means no thin layers of wood (veneers) are applied on the surface; the structure is solid wood throughout.
In contrast, **veneered furniture** uses a thin layer of real wood (veneer) glued onto a substrate made from other materials such as particleboard or plywood. Veneered furniture is not covered under the strict definition of solid wood furniture in DIN 68871.
**Key Differences and Comparisons:**
| Aspect | Solid Wood Furniture | Veneered Furniture | |------------------|---------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | **Definition** | Made entirely from solid wood pieces, glued but not veneered (DIN 68871). | Thin layer of real wood glued over a core of cheaper material. | | **Durability** | Generally more stable and durable due to solid, continuous wood; can be repaired or refinished more easily. | Less durable over long term; veneer can chip or peel. Repairs are more difficult. | | **Maintenance** | Requires maintenance like oiling or waxing, but ages well and can be renewed. | Usually requires gentle cleaning; damaged veneer is hard to restore invisibly. | | **Sustainability**| Often more sustainable if sourced from responsibly managed forests; no composite materials; free from harmful substances; promotes better indoor air quality. | Often less sustainable due to composite substrates and adhesives; may contain synthetic resins; environmental impact depends on materials and production. |
Solid wood furniture, especially when made with natural oils, enhances indoor air quality and is free from harmful chemicals [1]. Veneered furniture is often chosen for cost reasons and visual variety but sacrifices some durability and potentially sustainability.
Not all types of wood are suitable for the construction of solid wood furniture; beech, oak, pine, spruce, cherry, and walnut (pecan) are mainly used. In the production of solid wood furniture, "grown" beams and boards are rarely used; special gluing methods are usually employed instead.
Veneer sheets are glued onto a backing material, such as plywood, MDF, particleboard, or multiplex. Solid wood furniture has antistatic properties, regulates room humidity, is easy to care for, and offers exceptional durability.
When selecting real wood products, it's essential to consider sustainable forest management. The FSC certificate can help identify responsibly sourced products. It's also important to note that "real beech" or "real oak" can refer to solid wood or furniture veneered with real wood, while "real walnut" and "walnut solid" have different meanings.
Dining tables can be purchased online, for example via Wohnen.de, without visiting a furniture store. Deep scratches on veneered furniture are rarely repairable. In summary, DIN 68871 defines solid wood furniture as pieces made entirely from solid wood without veneering, and this results in products that are generally more durable, maintainable, and sustainable compared to veneered furniture. Veneered furniture involves additional layers and composite materials that affect these qualities negatively relative to solid wood.
[1] Information sourced from DIN 68871: 2018-07, Solid wood furniture - Terms, definitions, and symbols.
In the context of furniture, solid wood furniture, when treated with natural oils, not only provides a traditional appeal but also contributes positively to indoor air quality and avoids harmful substances. In contrast, veneered furniture, while offering cost benefits and visual diversity, may compromise durability and sustainability compared to its solid wood counterpart due to the use of additional layers and composite materials.
