A Look at Traditional Wood in Amish Furniture

As you already know, Amish furniture is made from solid wood, but what kind of wood? You know about oak, cedar, and pine, but the truth is that there are two very basic categories that encompass the entire industry: hardwood and softwood.

Hardwood – Comes from a tree with broad leaves and no needles. The most common examples of hardwood include cherry, walnut, mahogany, and maple. As the name implies, hardwoods are stronger and boast more stability than softwoods.

Softwoods – Softwoods are harvested from trees that have needles including redwood, spruce, even cedar trees.

Why to Choose One or the Other

Much of the choice comes down to the type of furniture that is being made. Softwood, for example, is often chosen by carpenters who foresee themselves doing quite a bit of carving. There is much more to it than that, however, so let’s take a look.

In any Amish furniture for sale, careful consideration was put into the piece. For example, the builder will look at each piece of wood to determine how it can fit into their design and most importantly how well it will stand up to everyday life. Additionally, they have to consider how well the wood will absorb stain or paint, and of course how pliable it is. Once all of these things are taken into account, it is then up to them to decide what type of furniture the wood would be suitable for.

For example, pine would not be suitable for a dining room table but it might work well for an end table. Remember: when you visit an Amish furniture store you are purchasing pieces that have been constructed by highly intelligent, highly experienced individuals using methods that have been passed down through the generations.

Wood Availability

A very important factor in the wood selection is the actual availability of the wood itself. For example, in some areas, they may have more access to white cedar than pine, and for this reason, we have taken the time to compile a quick list detailing the different types of woods and where exactly they might be found in the country.

Oak – One of the most popular types found in the best Amish furniture, red oak is found in the Appalachian Mountains while White Oak tends to be found east of the Mississippi River.

Cherry – Black cherry is a commonly used type of wood as it is found often in Canada and Central America. Additionally, you can find some in both New York and Pennsylvania.

Hickory – You can find these throughout the Eastern United States, especially in Pennsylvania.

Maple – Like most other woods used to craft the finest Amish furniture, Maple is typically found on the East Coast.

Amish furniture is an outstanding investment for your home and one that you certainly won’t regret. With the finest woods and the best builders around, you’re sure to get an outstanding deal.