Hints for Buying Walnut Furniture

From LifeWire

Walnut furniture is an excellent choice for traditional-style furniture. It is a durable hardwood that maintains a beautiful finish for years. The following hints will make buying walnut furniture easier.

• What is Walnut?Walnut is a hardwood, meaning that the tree loses its leaves in the fall and winter. English and black walnut are the most common types used in furniture making. Grain is generally straight, although it becomes wavy toward the roots. The color of walnut can vary dramatically, from light to very dark brown. The middle of the walnut tree produces the darker wood and the outer layer of the tree, just beneath the bark, produces the lighter wood.
• Why Buy Walnut Furniture?Walnut is a strong, hard and durable wood that carves and holds its shape well. It is an excellent choice for ornate furniture that requires intricate woodworking, such as a mantelpiece or headboard. It frequently was used to make cabinets and other pieces of furniture in 17th and 18th century Europe because of its qualities. Contemporary furniture is more often made with walnut veneers rather than made of solid walnut because of cost.

  Walnut furniture can last a lifetime if cared for properly. Larry Frye, executive director of the American Walnut Manufacturers Association, in Zionsville, Ind., said walnut has been a popular wood for furniture makers worldwide because of its durability, according to the Oakley Woods Web site.

• What to Look ForWalnut should have a straight grain, which a clear coat of urethane will accentuate. Stains may make the grain less noticeable. Finish is simply a matter of taste. Wood furniture with wavy grain or burls may be covered with a walnut veneer to improve its appearance. However, some walnut furniture is also covered with a walnut veneer. Most people cannot tell the difference between solid wood and veneers. Ask the salesperson for assistance if this distinction is important to you.
• Getting a Good PriceSolid walnut furniture tends to cost more than some other wood furniture. Decide whether the material and construction of the furniture is more important than the appearance.

  If purchasing solid walnut furniture, look at consignment shops and antique stores. The walnut furniture you find may show some wear and tear, such as nicks or water stains, but a woodworker can usually refinish the item. Also consider furniture clearinghouses. Items that haven’t sold well in chain stores and department stores may end up in a clearinghouse, where it may be sold at a steep discount.

  If appearance is more important than the materials, consider purchasing furniture made with walnut veneers. Pay close attention to the construction of the furniture. The veneer should not buckle or separate from the furniture.

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Taken from http://interiordec.about.com/