It can get simpler if you have the basic idea about the kind of woods available, the finishes used, cost and plenty of other aspects. Read on to understand the basics to get a great job done.
By Sangeeta Sinha
Woodwork done the right way using the appropriate wood and finish can do wonders for your home. Wood comes out as a popular choice because of its cost effectiveness, ease and efficiency of construction, versatility and sustainability.
With unlimited design possibilities you can play around easily with wood and create a masterpiece – be it your kitchen cabinet or living room furniture or garden chair or simply a wooden jewellery box. You can do just about anything with wood. But it is important to select the right wood for each project.
Before you venture into any project the most important thing is to know the kind of woods available in the market. Based on your project and budget you can select the right wood. Today, the market is flooded with plenty of varieties like teak, rosewood, pine, mango, cherry, maple, oak, mahogany to name a few.
Each has its own strengths; some are used for beauty, some for economy, while some for strength. Largely they are differentiated by degree of colour and hardness and these differences help the carpenters to get the right one for your project.
Plywood and Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is something which is commonly used to make cabinets and cupboards but make sure you use good quality product, says Manoj Kumar, director, Rahul Enterprises,
Delhi. For finishing, laminates or veneer is used but if you desire material for a longer life with less maintenance, laminate is a good option, he adds.
Wood finishing
Finishing is the final step in any woodwork project which enhances appearance and also adds a protective layer. Finishing plays a very critical role in any woodwork project. If the finish is not right, even the best of material and hard work can go down the drain. The right finish can turn any project into a masterpiece.
Plenty of finishing techniques are available with each having its own functional and aesthetic values. Different finishes offer varying degrees of protection, durability, ease of application and aesthetics. Whatever be the project – be it a small box or a chair or a huge cupboard; check out the right finishing technique so that your project comes out great.
Different types of finishes include wood finishes, oils, varnishes, stains, dyes, waxes, water based finishes etc. But none of the finishes excel in all parameters so you need to make your choice diligently says Kumar. According to him, wax polish is a good choice as wax will not attract dust and therefore your furniture will remain in good condition for 3-4 years without the need of polishing.
KNOW YOUR WOOD
When it comes to selecting wood, the choices are plenty. Check out some of the popular woods available and make a wise choice based on your preference and budget.
Teak – Commonly known as ‘Sagwan wood’ or ‘Saag’ in Hindi, teak is the most popular natural solid wood. Highly weather resistant with an oily feel and golden brown colour it is a popular choice for furniture. Teak grows naturally in different parts of the country and apart from local varieties some are imported like Burma teak or African teak. Local varieties include Nilambur, Konkan, Adilabad, Dandeli, Mysore etc.
Rubberwood - It is essentially the wood that comes from the rubber tree. As the wood of a rubber tree, one would expect it to be soft like rubber, but rubber wood is essentially a hardwood. Though rubberwood is not much suited for outdoor use it is good for kitchen as the dense grain is easily controlled in kiln drying process. Further since it is a recycled wood it is more eco-friendly. A new entrant, rubberwood is sturdy and cheaper.
Rosewood – This particular hardwood commonly known as sheesham never goes out of style. Resistant to termite with beautiful golden brown colour it is mostly used for making solid wood furniture like wardrobes, cabinets, bedroom furniture, etc. It is strong and durable and comes in a variety of shades.
Pine – Low cost and light weight, pine is popular and good for kids’ furniture. It takes paint well and blends well with other home furniture. This sturdy type of wood is gaining popularity because of its low cost too. If dents and scratches are your concern then maybe pine is not for you as this soft wood is prone to scratches.
Cherry – It is a hardwood, easy to work with and ages beautifully. This wood is in demand and little expensive compared to other domestic hardwoods. It has a rich beautiful colour and is in demand for making solid wood furniture like shelves, cabinets, tables, etc. It shapes easily and polishes well too though the colour darkens with age.
Maple – One of the hardest wood species, maple has fine texture and great strength. Due to its strength it is often used for heavy-use items, like dressers and kitchen cabinets. Affordable and durable, maple looks great for years. It is often used to mimic expensive wood like cherry or mahogany. But it needs to be sealed well to avoid the blotchy look after staining.
Oak – Often used for art and craft, oak is a hardwood available in two varieties – red and white. White being more moisture resistant is preferred for outdoor furniture. This durable wood blends easily and tends to grainy giving it a distinctive look.
Walnut – Though expensive, walnut is a rich brown wood easy to work. This straight grained hardwood ranges between chocolate brown and yellow. Being strong and stable it works well for intricate carving; the colour looks beautiful too. The colour variation may not be liked by some.
Plywood – Unlike natural woods, plywood is a type of manufactured wood panel. It is made by gluing together plywood layers, also called veneers. Compared to traditional woods plywood is flexible, inexpensive, workable and re-usable. Plywood is preferred by many carpenters because it is cheap, resistant to cracking and shrinkage and has a high degree of strength. Furthermore, it can usually be manufactured locally.
WOODEN FLOORING
Wooden flooring not only provides your room a great look but also a clean environment. It does not harbour dust mites or moulds, thus creating better air quality. Quality wise you may not find lot of variety but you can go for different patterns like plain, stripes and chequered.
You could go for lighter or darker shades based on your choice. But darker shades are better for high traffic areas while lighter shades can make your room look spacious. Though it is a little expensive people go for it for aesthetic appeal.
Caring for wooden floor calls for a little more attention compared to tiled floors. Follow the instruction for durability. It is a good idea to vacuum your wooden floor and avoid using normal household cleaning agents. This natural beauty can make even plain looking interior amazing.
PAMPER YOUR WOOD
» Clean them every day so that they don’t gather any dust
» Don’t use general household cleaners; generally moist cloth followed by dry one will do
» Know about the wood and the finishing and clean accordingly
» Keep them away from sunlight
» Get them polished or get professional cleaning done regularly
» Try not to spil water or other liquids on the surface and if it happens clean it immediately with a damp cloth
» Dirt left on the surface can leave a stain and make it grimy
» But before trying any liquid to clean your surface, test on any hidden spot
» Don’t ever leave a damp cloth on wooden surface