Care of Solid Wood Furniture

At Fireside Furniture, we love the look and feel of solid would furniture such as our Rustic Dining Tables. These beautiful pieces  can last a lifetime if properly cared for, but they do need to be properly cared for.

The wooden furniture continues to exchange moisture with the air, expanding and shrinking in response to changes in relative humidity.

Solid hardwood furniture’s natural response to extremely dry air is to give off moisture and shrink. The halves of an extension table may part or “gap” slightly or a few tiny openings may appear on a solid wood surface. Therefore, within a reasonable heat and humidity range, small cracks will correct as the relative humidity rises and the wood absorbs enough moisture to expand slightly.

However, without an air conditioner or dehumidifier, relative humidity may get too high. This causes wood furniture to absorb excess moisture from the air which causes the wood to expand. Once again, this will correct itself if relative humidity decreases.

Suggestions to take care of solid wood furniture:

• Place your table away from radiators, fireplaces, heating, or cooling ducts.
• Keep your piece out of direct sunlight or adjust blinds to avoid  direct sunlight. An hour or two a day is probably OK but prolonged sunlight heats up and dries out wood.
• Control humidity around 40% using a humidifier in the winter and a dehumidifier or air conditioner in warmer weather.
• Use coasters with non-scratching bottoms and padding under all sharp, hot, or cold objects.
• Store table leaves near the table or in the same humidity.
• Avoid using nail polish remover, alcohol, and other solvents near or on table.
• Ask Fireside Furniture about  finishes that resist damage from harmful liquids and objects.

However, even with the best care solid wood furniture sometimes cracks or has problems.  At Fireside Furniture, we maintain excellent relationships with our vendors and local craftsmen. Because of this relationship, Fireside Furniture can work with our customers to fix or restore each piece as quickly and economically as possible.