Is wooden furniture worth it?
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Wooden furniture is popular because it adds a touch of nature to the home, and this warmth and charm is hard to beat! Yet there are so many options when it comes to wooden furniture and they are not all created equal! Just to name a few: Engineered wood, solid wood, wooden wicker, and other variations like handcrafted, with or without paint or varnish and natural oil finishes, making some wooden furniture better than others!
What about engineered wood?
The upside is that it's sturdy, durable and affordable however it's made from wood fibres and particles that can pose toxic health risks. These particles are bound by adhesives in production that can release chemicals like formaldehyde and terpenes once the furniture is ready to use. These chemicals in the home are odourless and can wreak havoc on indoor air quality, and some people living with high levels of VOC's have even experienced 'sick building syndrome' which includes unexplained health issues like headaches, immediately cleared up upon moving. VOC's are known to cause cancer so this is no joke!
What are some common examples engineered wood can you look out for? Some of the most popular include plywood, particle board, and MDF board. They're made by bonding wood pieces together under intense heat and pressure, releasing VOCs like formaldehyde and terpene. These compounds are actually found naturally plants, humans, and food in small amounts, however when found in the flooring it may emit higher levels than our bodies can handle.
How do you know if you're living with engineered wood? It's actually only been around for only about 40 years, and it's more of a modern material commonly found in newer buildings. So if you live in a newly built condo you can be sure that you're at a higher risk of VOC exposure. If you're someone who loves the charm of older buildings and antique furniture than you're in luck, since they're likely made with high quality woods, like solid wood that are better for health!
What impact does wooden furniture have on the planet?
Even if your wooden furniture doesn't pose direct health risks like VOC's, it may still harm the planet. Consider unsustainable woods like mahogany and the impact of cutting these trees down on a large scale. Imagine a whopping 20% of harvested wood goes to building homes and furniture which when not done sustainably, like with FSC certification to protect biodiversity, there can be large areas of monocrops, harming biodiversity and destroying ecosystems. As demand for wooden furniture grows, so can cash crops, which harms the planet fuelled by greed and reckless farming practices. It is so important to know where your wooden furniture comes from and one of the best certifications to look out for is FSC!
Wooden furniture recommendations and the benefits!
Always look for solid wood, since it's exactly as it sounds - a solid piece of wood that doesn't contain VOC emitting glues and resins. The benefit of solid wood, aside from being better for your health is that it can enhance overall well-being. Research shows that being surrounded by wood can have positive health effects, tapping into our natural connection with nature. We all know that being in a room full of plants beats plain white walls any day, right? Well, the same principle applies to wood – it even enhances longevity and performance, just like nature intended. Consider that we come from nature, and for most of human evolution, we lived in it, so it's instinctual to feel safer at the sight of a tree or a fountain, or our wooden furniture!
Are there any alternatives to solid wood?
Yes, just check out wooden wicker furniture! Not only are they among the most eye-catching pieces, often associated with your beach house or cottage furniture, but they are also incredibly interesting to produce! Workers have to venture into diverse ecosystems to find bamboo and rattan, and then implement incredible skill to harvest them as shown in the video below. These sustainable woods are superstars of the wooden furniture options available today! Knowing that sustainable, fast growing woods exist, is also useful as a way to focus more on buying woods that do not require as much deforestation to be planted and grown, and are not limited to the ones found in wicker furniture.
Should you get wooden furniture with varnish?
Varnish is very important to protect wood from moisture and damage and it can also make the wood look polished and even more beautiful. However this protective coating can be made of drying oil, resin, dryer, and solvent that also releases resins and VOCs! Varnishes can also contain turpentine, a volatile flammable liquid that comes from Evergreen trees, and exposure can do a number on your health, harming your liver and kidneys when wet. So, if ever you're painting with varnish, it's important to protect yourself and limit exposure.
Is paint better than varnish?
Paint is not better than varnish and it can also release VOC fumes for weeks, months, or even years after application. These fumes contain benzene and formaldehyde that can increase the risk of autism, cancer, central nervous system damage. If you're someone who frequently paints their home, you may want consider a more classic look like white walls that you're less likely to get bored of, or become educated about which paints to buy.
What finishes are safe to use on your high quality wooden furniture?
Instead of paint or varnish, look out for natural oil finishes like tung oil! These finishes are just as tough as waterproof varnish, but without all the health risks. In fact, you can use any natural penetrating wood oils to safely enhance the quality of your furniture. You can also find paints, called zero-VOC that lowers your exposure to VOC's, as defined by the environmental protection agency. They may be a little more pricey and not without any health risks at all, but still a better alternative if you just love paint and colour.
Final words
Becoming equipped with knowledge has benefits since it impacts your future purchasing decisions. Knowing that if you live in a new home, you may be at greater risk of exposure to VOC's can also help you to take steps to clean up your indoor air to avoid sick building syndrome. If you already have low-quality, engineered wooden flooring and furniture or a new paint job, it can help to open windows more often to let out off gassing, especially when new, and you can even consider a high quality HEPA air filter designed to filter VOC's. If ever you have the option to opt for high quality wooden furniture and natural varnishes, you'll know what to look out for and how to choose sustainably!
Crk's top pick for wooden furniture!
A useful piece of wooden furniture that can be used in any home is surprisingly a simple crate! They are great for stacking, storing, and providing a surface for a variety of items in the home. What's great is that they are often made of solid, unfinished woods like pine that are naturally low in VOC's and look boho-chic! Our most recommended crate is the pallet wood crate sold on Amazon.
