Objective 5.02: CRITIQUE components of quality furniture construction 1.Start on page Define –wood grain –solid wood –veneer –pressed wood 3.Draw and label each of these wood joints. Tell an advantage and disadvantage of each type of joint. –Mortise and tenon –Double dowel –Dovetail –Tongue and groove –Butt –Corner block –Mitre (not in our book)

Understanding furniture construction will help you choose the highest quality furniture for your money

USING WOOD IN FURNITURE

A wood grain, or pattern, is formed as a tree grows Wood grain influences the construction of furniture.

SOLID WOOD: Whole pieces of the same wood used to make exposed furniture surfaces.

SOLID WOOD Advantages Can be sanded and refinished Disadvantages Expensive Can crack, swell, and warp if exposed to humidity.

VENEER (plywood): 3-7 thin layers of fine wood glued to an inexpensive base.

VENEERS (plywood) Advantages Cheaper than solid wood Resists shrinking & warping (losing its straightness) Strong Disadvantages Difficult to repair – cannot be sanded or refinished.

PRESSED WOOD (particle board) Wood shavings, chips, and sawdust mixed with glue May be used as the base for veneers.

PRESSED WOOD (particle board) Advantages Cheap Tough and durable Disadvantages Not pretty!

BASIC FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION

Joint – the place where one piece of wood is connected to another The joint determines the furniture’s strength.

Mortise-and-Tenon Strongest of all joints Cannot wobble and difficult to pull out Joins legs and rails in chairs and beds  Difficult to mark and cut out.

Dowel (can be single double, triple) Quick and easy to make  Drilling accurate holes difficult.

Dovetail Very strong joint and resists being pulled apart Good for joining all sides of drawers  Difficult to mark and cut out.

Tongue and Groove Easy to measure and cut; invisible Used for table tops and floors  Tongues can break easily; cannot be disassembled.

Butt Easiest to make  Weakest type of joint.

Corner Blocks Added to make joints more secure, such as the frames of chairs and tables.

Mitered Aesthetically pleasing  Not very strong.

Complete and turn in “Wood Joints”

FURNITURE FINISHES

Furniture finishes protect wood, and enhance or change the wood color.

Stain: adds color without covering the grain.

Top coats are clear and add protection.

Types of top coats Polyurethane – a liquid plastic until it is dry; comes in satin and glossy; dries fast; apply with a brush, roller, or cloth. Varnish – a top coat for raw wood used on exterior doors and other wood on or near water; apply with a brush Lacquer - gives a high gloss finish; extremely durable; applied by a sprayer.

Paint: covers the wood and is the least expensive finish

UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE

Upholstered Furniture Components Hard wood frame secured with a corner block Hand-tied springs to prevent sagging Padding Cushions Fabric.

OTHER FURNITURE MATERIALS

Plastic Inexpensive, lightweight, easy to clean.

Metals: wrought iron, steel, aluminum, and chrome

Rattan (Wicker) and Bamboo combine natural wood frames with woven stems or branches. Rattan is a product (jungle vine from Southeast Asia). Wicker is a weaving process.

Glass should be tempered - break into small pebbles instead of sharp pieces.

Wood Plastic Metal Rattan Wicker Bamboo Glass

Informational E-Brochure Working with a partner, create an ANIMATED VIDEO that explains ONE of the following:  materials used in furniture construction; important facts, advantages/disadvantages  how to judge upholstered furniture  finishes for furniture and their purposes  types of wood joints and their advantages and disadvantages

Individual Project Create a BROCHURE, OR 8 ½ x 11 FLYER that explains ONE of the following:  materials used in furniture construction; important facts, advantages/disadvantages  how to judge upholstered furniture  finishes for furniture and their purposes  types of wood joints and their advantages and disadvantages Use pictures Spelling, grammar, neatness, and a professional look count.