Solid Wood or Particle Board Furniture – How Are They Different?

Particle-board furniture is designed to look like natural wood. But nearly all particleboard furniture you see in big box stores is covered in a wood veneer.

While particle-board furniture is often a less expensive option, you need to consider how you will use the furniture and how long you plan to own it.

This guide is designed to help you weigh the pros and cons of solid wood furniture vs. particle board furniture. We will cover the following topics:

 

Particle Board Overview | Price | Quality & Durability | Lifespan

 

What Is Particle Board?

Particleboard is made by combining manufacturing waste products, such as sawdust, wood chips, shavings, and other residue left over from mill operations.

Particle board is less dense than natural wood, making it more lightweight and easier to move around. Being lightweight could be good for some, but this also makes particle board furniture more prone to damage.

 

Price

Particle board furniture is much cheaper than solid wood furniture. But while particleboard furniture might be less expensive now, it needs to be replaced more often, negating any savings and lowering its lifetime value.

Furniture made with particle board can be 20% – 50% less expensive. Lower cost is a significant advantage that particle board furniture has over other types of wood furniture.

When purchasing solid wood furniture, you have to view it as an investment. Solid wood furniture will last much longer than its cheaper alternatives.

 

Quality & Durability

Particle Board

Over time, furniture made from particleboard tends to wear down quickly. It has low water resistance and tends to damage more easily, which can cause the furniture to lose its stability and break or snap after only a short time.

Particleboard is also less resistant to scratches, chipping, and other common surface defects.

Solid Wood

There are many benefits to choosing solid wood furniture — quality and durability are two of them. The quality and durability of solid wood furniture is excellent. Solid wood furniture is much more resistant to scratches and chipping due to the high-quality finishes. If something happens to your furniture, it can always be sanded and refinished to look good as new because it is solid wood. However, there is no going back once particle board furniture gets damaged. When constructed and finished properly, solid wood furniture can last for generations.

For example, our Lancaster Legacy and Trailway dining tables are coated with a multi-layered finish, so you never need to worry about water stains.

 

Lifespan of Particle Board Furniture

Particle Board

Particle board furniture might last around 1-3 years with light or normal use (we’re assuming no accidents or spills occur). Under ideal conditions, it could last up to 5 years.

Solid Wood

Our Amish-crafted hardwood furniture is an investment that will withstand the test of time. With proper care and use, our furniture can be enjoyed and passed down from generation to generation.

 

Still Not Convinced?

Solid wood furniture is an investment. Yes, particleboard furniture is cheap and lightweight. But there is simply no substitute for solid wood furniture’s natural beauty, longevity, and value.

Invest in furniture you will love and use for a lifetime.

The staff at Green Acres Home Furnishings is here to help with your solid wood furniture shopping. Visit our furniture showroom in Easton or call 610-330-9096.