We want our clients to feel good about the materials we use for their projects. It’s hard to know all the details that go into the fabrication of a piece. We hope the answers to these questions below help make it easier to follow.

Real wood furniture contains zero particleboard. Real wood has a unique and not altogether symmetrical grain pattern. When looking at a grain it usually will have small variances, that's a good indication it is real. If it's repetitive and matching across the piece, it's likely fake. Feeling the product and seeing if there is a grain can work as well.

Wood veneer is a thin slice (as thin as 3MM) of natural wood that is attached onto a panel of engineered wood.  Attaching the veneer usually involves gluing or pressing. In furniture, wood veneers give the appearance of an all-wood piece, when in reality only the surface is taken from natural wood.

MDF has a smooth finish as it consists of wood grains that are of the same size. Particle-boards do not have a smooth surface as they consist of wood shavings and chips. MDF has a higher density level than particle-board.

Melamine is a chemical that has many industrial uses such as parts for cabinets.  Melamine is a less expensive option other than wood counterparts.  Melamine is not as durable as wood cabinets, and can be a potential issue in the future for repair.

Unfinished pieces are unpainted, unsealed, and unstained equivalent of site-finished pieces.

Finished pieces are primed, painted, or stained with a top coat to seal in the product.

Scroll to Top