While interior design trends constantly change, wooden furniture remains evergreen. Furniture made of wood is strong, long-lasting and requires minimal maintenance, as compared to other materials. However, there are different kinds of wood that are used for making furniture for Indian homes. Consequently, while buying furniture, one should understand the pros and cons of different kinds of wood and the precautions that owners need to take for its maintenance.
Different types of wood
Primarily, on the basis of hardness, there are two types of wood – hardwood and softwood. Unlike popular belief, hardwood is not necessarily harder and denser, as compared to softwood. In simple terms, hardwood comes from flowering trees while softwood comes from conifers. Both types of wood are used for making furniture.
What is seasoning?
A log is usually cut into the required frame sizes and then left to ‘season’. Seasoning is a process where the moisture in the wood dries to an optimal level. In normal dry, warm weather, seasoning for about one month is recommended.
Teak wood
Teak wood is one of the most commonly used wood types, available locally. Some manufacturers also import teak wood from Burma and Ghana. In India, Kerala is one of the biggest suppliers of teak wood. It is strong and very durable and is often used for building door frames, cabinets and tables. Teak wood is resistant to decay and can outlast all other types of wood. Since it is a hard wood, it can also withstand extreme heat and cold and therefore, it is also used for creating outdoor furniture.
Types of teak wood
There are many types of wood in India but teak wood stands apart. The types of teak wood available in Indian subcontinent include:
Nilambur teak wood: Also called Malabar teak, Nilambur in Kerala, India is one of its kind in the world.ch is considered to one of its kind in the world. It grows tall, has large diameter logs and its heartwood is golden brown. It has a straight grain and is highly durable to termites, and can be easily worked manually and by machine.
Adilabad teak wood: This variety is grown in Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh.
CPT (Central Province) teak wood: This variety is grown in Madhya Pradesh and is easily identified because of its close grain and deep colour.
Dandeli teak: This variety of teak grows in North Karnataka, has a dark brown colour, is rich in oil and has irregular straight and spiral grains.
Nagpur teak wood: Grown in Nagpur, this teak wood is used to make heavy furniture.
Paratwada teak: This variety is grown in Paratwada, Amravati district, Maharashtra. Other types of teak wood available in India include Burma teak, Ghana and Columbian teak and teak from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Teak has an abundance of natural oils and rubber inside the tight grain of the wood. Teak retains oils and its rubber even after being cut and processed. This allows teak to have extra weather-resistant properties than any other type of wood.
The inherent oils protect the wood from dry rot, fungi and parasites, which is a common problem in old wooden furniture. While other wood require applications of weather-proof oils and treatments, teak does not. This quality of teak makes it a perfect material for outdoor furniture.
Deodar
What is Deodar wood?
Deodar is an evergreen coniferous tree that grows in cool climate. It is commonly found in the Himalayan territories, which comprise Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, etc.
The Deodar wood is not very heavy like teak and has a coarse grain. There are knots at regular intervals and this wood does not have self-sheen. That is why it needs regular polishing. Deodar is a softwood, which makes it an efficient wood for constructing Indian furniture.
Deodar is an aromatic wood and this wood holds the capacity to sustain in colder weather. Therefore, it is used in cooler places to build houses, as flooring and windows.
The houseboats in Srinagar, Kashmir, are made from Deodhar.
Bamboo wood
Bamboo is a grass that belongs to the Bambusa genera of the Poaceae family. It is tall and commonly grows in South Asian countries. In India is grows mainly in Assam, Bengal and other parts of India.
Strong and durable, it is highly flexible and best used for cane and rattan furniture.
Satin wood
Furniture or articles that have a vintage look, are made of satin wood. It is an affordable material and is available locally and is supplied from central and southern Indian states. However, satin wood requires regular maintenance. Satin wood furniture is also hard and durable and can be given the desired look or finish, by using different types of polish. Satin wood furniture usually has a very lustrous look, since its grain is varied. Usually, satin wood furniture is bright yellow-coloured and in warm shades.
White cedar wood
Also known as Marandi, it is a good veneer for light-weight furniture, such as display shelves, trunks or even decorative items. This type of wood requires minimal maintenance and therefore, it is most preferred for items which are not used often. White cedar wood is mostly imported from Malaysia and it requires month-long seasoning, before it becomes ready for use. Since it is a soft wood, it is used to create the interior parts of sofa and dining chairs, which are later covered with upholstery. It is an affordable wood, which looks great and is very effective in terms of strength and load bearing.
Indian White Cedar Wood is an excellent wood for staining and provides a brilliant finish. As it is strong, it is often used for crafting outdoor furniture and used to make wooden wardrobes. Luckily its fragrance is an insect-repellent, yet pleasant. The ingrained cedar oil makes it weather-proof and resistant to fungal growth and bacteria. It is low-maintenance and an ideal wood choice for the Indian tropical climate.
Sal wood
Sal wood is considered one of the most high-quality grades of wood, used for furniture and construction purposes. Sal wood is a type of timber, which does not require layers of polish to protect its durability. It has an ability to withstand water and underground damp conditions. Sal wood furniture is termite-resistant and usually used for manufacturing door frames, and beams. Sal wood is usually found in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Sal wood comes from Sal tree. Sal tree is straight and cylindrical and attains good length. Sal comes from Malaysia and other countries and is a little less expensive when compared to teak
The wood is suitable for constructing frames for doors and windows. When freshly cut, Sal wood is light in colour but becomes dark brown with exposure. The Indian Sal or Shala wood is native to India and the Malaysian variety is also very popular.
Some of its varieties are Gum Sal Wood, Indian Sal Wood, Malaysian Sal Wood, Red Sal Wood, Sal Wood Logs and White Sal Wood.
Sal wood furniture is easy to maintain as it is durable, termite-resistant and remains free from fungi for a long time. Avoid keeping Sal wood furniture in direct sunlight as it can cause cracks in the wood member. For cleaning, one has to just wipe this furniture with a cloth.
Indian rosewood
Also known as Sheesham, Indian rosewood is a favourite for making furniture. It is also a hard wood and can be used with different polishes and finishes. Although rosewood is the most expensive type of wood available in India, it is mostly preferred due to its termite-resistant quality, durability and versatility. Rosewood can be used for making kitchen cabinets, sofas and even wooden flooring. Sheesham is also used in musical instruments and is largely found in south India.
Sheesham wood is obtained from a tree called the Dalbergia Sissoo tree or Penny leaf tree. It is classified as a hardwood and is very strong and durable. It works well with all kinds of finishing, glues and machinery. Sheesham wood is used to make beds as it is a very solid wood.
Oak wood
The Oak is a hardwood native to the northern hemisphere that includes America, Asia, Europe and north Africa. Oak trees have a deep brown and copper colour. The northern red oak is the most expensive oak.
Oak wood is famous for its durability. It comes in rich colours, from shades of white to dark brown. This wood matches with most interiors and is very popular for making dining tables and chairs.
Mahogany
Known as a rich wood, its reddish-brown colour is unmistakable. Mahogany has a natural affinity towards polishes. It does not shrink, warp or swell due to weather changes.
It is the best choice for doors and indoor furniture like bed frames and crockery cabinets.
