| uld make sense that some of the first furniture ever | | | | and fungus Oak became recognized as a good |
| used was made out of stone. There have been | | | | construction material. The heavy use of oak as |
| archeological discoveries of stone furniture in caves, | | | | furniture eventually led to a wide clearing of oak trees. |
| but stone is rarely used in modern day. However | | | | The Oak tree takes a long time to grow and |
| wood furniture has been used for probably about as | | | | consequently the supply that had once been abundant |
| long. There are many types of wood that are still used | | | | could not be kept readily available and eventually the |
| for making furniture in modern times. One of the most | | | | price of building with oak increased. |
| popular is oak furniture. | | | | Modern materials such as plastic do not need to be |
| There are literally thousands of different types of | | | | harvested and can be made in unlimited quantities. This |
| wood many of which are used to manufacture | | | | has caused man made materials more popular than |
| furniture, so what is it about Oak that has made it so | | | | wood and has further affected the price of building |
| popular? | | | | furniture with Oak. However there have always been |
| When building furniture it is important that the wood be | | | | those people that are willing to pay the price for wood |
| a hardwood. Hardwood or Quercus is a scientific | | | | over synthetic materials. |
| classification. Hardwoods are named this for their | | | | One of the things that have made Oak popular with |
| strength and durability ion comparison to other types of | | | | fine furniture manufacturers and retailers is its ability to |
| wood. Oak has a high level of strength compared to | | | | be hand crafted. There are still wood workers that |
| even most hardwoods and has been recognized for | | | | made good quality furniture by hand and do so without |
| centuries as a great material for furniture because of | | | | the need of nails or screws. |
| this durability and strength. During the Middle Ages Oak | | | | A common way to connect sections of oak furniture |
| was first used in Europe. A major reason for this was | | | | is to use what is known as Dovetailing. This practices |
| the oak trees prevalence in most parts of Europe. The | | | | works like two puzzle pieces. The ends of one piece |
| fact that Oak was readily available made it an | | | | intersect with the other making a very strong |
| affordable material for furniture. | | | | connection that does not require fasteners or nails. |
| It was also understood by furniture makers even in the | | | | This technique has existed for centuries and is |
| dark ages that the oak trees did not attract insects. | | | | believed to have originated with the Egyptians. |
| This was another reason that oak was a good choice | | | | Handcrafting wood work has made Oak furniture |
| for making furniture. Modern scientists have learned | | | | increasingly more popular. While it may be more |
| that the reason that oak does not attract insects is its | | | | expensive than manmade materials it is reasonably |
| chemical composition. There are molecules in oak that | | | | inexpensive in comparison to the many other types of |
| taste bad to insects. These same components make | | | | wood furniture that are commonly available. With its |
| oak resistant to fungus and parasites. | | | | durability, strength and attractive appearance Oak |
| As a result of its availability and its resistant to insects | | | | furniture is a great choice. |