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Hardwood furniture has always been the cornerstone of long lasting furnishings due to its durability and functionality. Amish furniture, in particular, is highly sought after in Washington since it’s hand crafted and is typically made using 100% wood. If the wood is not properly dried within the first two years of being cut it will begin to warp, so the techniques surrounding the drying process are vital to maintain quality craftsmanship.
What is Wood Warping in Amish Furniture?
Wood warping occurs when different parts of a piece of lumber begin to change unevenly causing a deformity. When one part of a piece of wood dries faster than another, the drier part shrinks faster and this causes a stress in the lumber, this changes the shape of the wood and causes it to bend.
Different Types of Wood Drying
Wood drying, especially for Amish furniture, is a vital component in woodworking to ensure the finished product comes out without defects. Wood drying techniques can vary depending on the area with some being more expensive than others. One technique is to allow the lumber to sit passively at any humidity level. This technique is called ‘seasoning’ and it’s the slower form, but it’s also the simplest and least expensive to do. The downside is the drying times can vary depending on the species of wood, the thickness of the lumber, the conditions, moisture level, and the processing techniques used for the wood.
The rule of thumb in seasoning lumber is that for every inch of wood thickness it needs one year to air dry. This obviously means several years of wood laying out to air dry so another technique to process green wood into boards is to use a kiln.
A kiln is a large, insulated chamber which can consist of a room with controlled airflow, temperature, and humidity to dry wood efficiently. The wood drying is necessary for Amish furniture and brings the lumber down to the preferred moisture content. This technique ensures the wood is dried more evenly and minimizes the moisture gradient on the outer shell and the inner core of the lumber.
Improper Drying
The best Amish furniture will be dried correctly and there should be no imperfections in the lumber when it’s used for a new project. Kiln drying has its drawbacks though since it can create internal stresses in the wood. When an improper kiln schedule is being used or corrective measures are not put in place soon enough, this can result in case hardening.
Case hardening is a defect where the outer shell of the wood will dry faster than the inner core. When the shell tries to shrink it’s inhibited by the core that still contains moisture which causes the outer shell to stretch and when the core begins to dry out the reverse happens, the stiff outer shell prohibiting the core from fully shrinking.
Wood drying is important for the making and crafting of Amish furniture to ensure the lumber doesn’t warp within two years. When done properly, wood drying will lead to high-quality lumber that is used for making long lasting furniture.
The hardness of the wood, also called the 
Amish beliefs often prevent the use of electricity so most of the woodworking tools used in the shops are powered by the pneumatic or hydraulic power that is able to run on a diesel compressor. There are a couple of communities that will permit some technology and allowances are made when it involves woodworking. Woodworking is a mainstay in many Amish communities, the crafting of the furniture responsible for supporting multiple families within the community.
Regular dusting, every few days at least, with a soft cloth is the best way to keep your furniture looking shiny and new. You will want to keep heavily used surfaces covered. Doilies or felt pads under your lamps, placemats, and tablecloths on your tables; this will keep daily wear and tear from affecting your furniture. Monitor the humidity levels in your home.
Furniture builders today have switched over to using cheaper materials to drive down the price of their products and to attract more consumers. This drive down in price may seem beneficial at first, but in reality, it’s only driven down the quality of the product. Furniture builders today are using cheap laminate tops and particleboard to serve as the focal points for their projects instead of quality materials. Particleboard itself is nothing more than sawdust with a resin holding it together.
Epoxy is a finishing material that is applied in the final stages of production. Much like a traditional lacquer, oil, or varnish, modern epoxy is made to protect the timber of the furniture. The difference is that epoxy does a much better job, and it can last for decades when properly applied.
One of the reasons that Amish furniture has so much character is because of the tradition that goes into every piece. Our master furniture builders have a passion for what they do, and this means that an extreme level of care and attention to detail goes into every piece of furniture that leaves our workshop.