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When you decide that you want to purchase Amish furniture, you are faced with numerous other decisions. The first two, and most important, are What type of wood do you wish to use? and What stain would be best? If you have never even looked at hardwoods before, this could come as a challenge. Here is a quick overview to help you along on your decision making process.
Wood Types:
Red Oak is an extremely strong, tough wood that has a pronounced open grain. Red Oak has a slight orange or reddish hue. This is the wood you want if you love a warm look
The next option is Quarter-sawn White Oak. Quarter-sawn means cutting into the log at a 90-degree angle to the growth rings which gives it a special grain pattern. If you love a lot of grain in your table quarter-sawn is for you. The White Oak has a cooler white to sage undertone.
Cherry is a hard durable wood that has a reddish-brown tone with a tight, straight grain that becomes darker and richer as it ages. This is preferred by folks that want a slight but elegant grain.
Caring for your handcrafted hardwood Amish furniture
With proper care your solid hardwood furniture can provide years of pleasure for your family. You can make it looks pristine, as if it were brand new, for years and years. Here are some tips to be sure you get the most from your table. Some of these tips can also be applied to other furniture.
* Maintain a humidity-controlled environment. Your home should be kept in the 35-45%
humidity range to prevent warping and cracking.
* Keep table out of reach of direct continued sunlight and away from heat sources such as
furnace ducts, radiators and fireplaces.
* Use coasters and tr ..
Maple is the hardest domestic wood that we have here in the US. It is used extensively in furniture making because of its fine texture and durability. Maple is basically cream or ivory in color with minimal grain. This wood captures light and brightens space. This is the most common and popular wood on the market.
Stains:
When it is time to pick the stain, most Amish carpenters will send you samples of the wood you picked with different stains on them, for you to choose what you believe would best match your desires. For maximum durability, most Amish use satin Resistovar for all of their finishes. Resistorvar is a high quality, high solids, performance coating for furniture, cabinets, office furnishings and other interior wood products. It has excellent adhesion, hardness, superior abrasion resistance (compared to lacquers), and exceptional resistance to water, solvents, and household chemicals. The stains are all Amish Certified Stains. Each stain is approved by a committee as the colors that will work best with the quality and style of wood they provide. Stains come in numerous colors, with many different names. Some of the names are Carmel, Fruitwood and Dark Danish. They sound good enough to eat!
If you can get through choosing the wood and the perfect stain, then your piece of furniture will look wonderful. When you get it in your house, it will light up the entire room. People will be wondering where you bought such a wonderful piece of art. You will be glad you took the time to pick the best wood and stain for your furniture.
What can I expect to pay for Amish Furniture?
Amish furniture, because of the hardwood handcrafted quality, can tend to be pricey. Before you decide to go out and buy some, youll have to decide whether it is worth the price to you. Understandably, the larger pieces, such as dressers and hutches, cost more than items with less wood and work, such as a table or bed frame. One thing you must remember when ordering Amish furniture; you are paying for the expert craftsmanship of a master carpenter. You are not buying a machine-made piece of generic furniture. Craftsmanship like this can be pricey. Here are a few ballpark figures on some of t ..
Ray La FoyWoods and Stains for your Amish Furniture
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