Faux wood is a cheaper alternative to real wood, made of products, adhesives, and veneers that resemble wood. However, some varieties contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. Different types of faux wood include particleboard, hardboard, and veneer laminated wood, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Faux wood furniture offers greater flexibility in color choices and can be a good option for those on a budget, but those with formaldehyde sensitivities should be cautious. As technology improves, the manufacturing processes for faux wood are becoming more environmentally friendly.
Faux wood, also called engineered or manufactured wood, is a combination of products, adhesives, and veneers that are meant to look like wood. Often less expensive than real wood, many varieties of faux wood can contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. As technology improves, this product is becoming a nicer substitute for real wood, and the processes for creating it are starting to become more environmentally friendly and advanced.
Particleboard is a type of engineered wood frequently used in furnishings. Constructed of particleboard, particleboard is mostly sawdust and wood chips, bound together with resin. The compacted substance is then coated with veneers that make it look like real wood, but even waterproof coatings don’t hold up well to moisture. It is not recommended to use chipboard furniture outdoors if you live in a humid or rainy climate. If for some reason the particleboard breaks, it is advisable to wear a mask. Some people show a sensitivity to chemicals and dust that comes from the product and may experience respiratory problems.
Another type of faux wood is hardboard, often found in construction and flooring. Somewhat similar to particle board, hardboard is considered to be stronger and more durable. Wood effect laminates can be easily painted or glued to hardboard and also serve as a base for tile flooring or vinyl siding.
Veneer laminated wood is stronger and straighter than regular hardwood. The product is created by heavily compressing many layers of thin strips of wood. The wood is bonded together with resin-based adhesives and then coated to look like real wood. Veneered glulam is useful in construction as it is less sensitive to climate or atmospheric changes and does not bend or warp as quickly as traditional lumber.
Department stores, like Ikea, sell a lot of faux wood furniture. These pieces, while less expensive than real wood pieces, also offer greater flexibility to the buyer. Many chairs, tables, and other furnishings are sold as bare wood, allowing you to coat or stain the faux wood any color you desire. This can be a big help if you’re trying to match the wood color of a furniture set you already own.
Using faux wood can be a great opportunity to save money on furnishings and construction. It allows flexibility in color choices and allows you to create a coordinated set with different furniture. As manufacturing processes continue to advance, creating faux woods can become not only more affordable, but more environmentally friendly as well. For now, those with severe formaldehyde sensitivities or concerns about the chemicals used in the manufacturing process may want to avoid faux wood products.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
