What Are Hardwood Solids In Furniture?

What Are Hardwood Solids In Furniture?

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If you’re looking at a piece of furniture and it’s been listed as a hardwood solid, it can become confusing as to precisely what hardwood solid means.

Hardwood solids mean that your furniture piece is made of hardwood and could have other types of wood, such as engineered wood or plywood. The hardwood solids term can be confusing because it sounds very similar to solid hardwood, which means that your furniture piece comprises different types of solid hardwood.

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Hardwood Solid Furniture Explained

Hardwood solids usually refer to when a manufacturer does not want to specify the type of wood species used. It could mean that various hardwood species or other engineered types of wood are being used.

This can be confusing because no specific type of wood is listed for the furniture. So you are not sure what wood was used for the furniture piece.

Some manufacturers will also use the term hardwood to describe plywood, which is technically not a solid hardwood but an engineered wood such as particle board, fiberboard, or other engineered wood.

Solid Hardwood Explained

The term solid hardwood can get confusing because Hardwood Solids and Solid Hardwood may sound and even seem the same, but they have different meanings. When someone says that your furniture is solid hardwood, the furniture should be made up of solid hardwood.

Solid hardwood should mean there is no engineered wood as plywood is being used.

For example, you might buy a sofa, and they may tell you the sofa frame is solid hardwood. This means that the sofa frame is solid hardwood but could be made up of Poplar wood, a hardwood but relatively lightweight, the stronger Maple wood, or even Oak.

The furniture could be a combination of several kinds of hardwood. When they say “solid hardwood
you usually do not know what solid hardwood they use for the furniture piece.

What can even become more confusing about wood is that the same kind of wood can also come in different grades. The grade of the wood also matters for the quality of the furniture piece you are buying.

Grades Of Solid Woods Explained

When we talk about solid woods, there are also different types of wood grades and quality levels. When you buy a piece of furniture, it is rarely listed what kind of wood grade quality is used.

There are seven standard types of wood grades, each a different type of grade. Here are the primary types of wood grades:

  • FAS Grade – FAS grade is the “First and Seconds.” FAS is the highest quality of hardwood lumber grades.
  • FAS 1 – Face – This is also a select piece of lumber but is 6” or wider.
  • Select – No 1 Common piece of lumber; One side can be called Common, and the better side is FAS or a better piece of wood.
  • No 1 Common – No 1 Common is the standard furniture grade wood. It is used in furniture production for a reasonable price for quality lumber.
  • No 2 Common – No 2 Common is used for cabinets, millwork, and some areas of the furniture that require medium to short wood cuttings. No 2 Common will come in No 2A Common and No 2B Common quality lumber.
  • No 3 Common – No 3 Common is widely used for flooring and palettes. This also comes in two types No 3A Common and No 3B Common.

Grades of solid wood are essential to understand. Still, the most important is to have a furniture supplier that will use the appropriate kinds and types of wood for your manufacturing project.

The Confusion Between Hardwood Solids And Solid Hardwood

It can be unclear when the terms hardwood solids and solid hardwood are used. Even furniture industry members can sometimes become confused by how these terms are used. The reason is they both sound so familiar.

The furniture industry uses the same words but in different combinations and order.

Here is a summary to help you to remember the difference between hardwood solids and solid hardwood terms:

  • Hardwood Solids
    • No specific hardwood species is listed
    • It could also mean other engineered woods, such as plywood or MDF.
  • Solid Hardwood
    • No specific hardwood species is listed.
    • This should mean it is all solid hardwood; no engineered wood is used.

Remember that your furniture piece would have different kinds of solid hardwood and some engineered wood when considering a hardwood solids piece. For solid hardwood, it should all be solid wood. If you want to know what solid hardwood was used, you can see if the manufacturer will specify that for you.

10 Pathways Mondoro Paves for Hardwood and Solid Wood Furniture Creation

Venturing into the world of hardwood and solid wood furniture requires a harmonious blend of tradition, craftsmanship, and modernity. At Mondoro, we pride ourselves on offering services and holistic solutions that merge timeless craftsmanship with contemporary demands.

Here’s how we can be your trusted partner in this endeavor:

  1. Deep-rooted Expertise: With years of experience, we understand the nuances and intricacies of hardwood and solid wood, ensuring that every piece crafted under our guidance is of impeccable quality.
  2. Design Excellence: Our team is always in sync with global design aesthetics. We ensure your furniture isn’t just functional but also aligns with today’s trends and style forecasts.
  3. Unwavering Commitment to Quality: At Mondoro, “quality” isn’t just a word—it’s our ethos. We source only the finest hardwoods and employ rigorous quality checks at every stage of production.
  4. Customization Capabilities: Recognizing that every client’s need is unique, we offer tailored solutions. Whether it’s a specific design element or a particular wood finish, we ensure your vision is realized to perfection.
  5. Sustainability Focus: We are deeply committed to the environment. Our sourcing practices ensure that the hardwoods and solid woods used are sustainable, balancing ecological concerns with craftsmanship.
  6. Knowledge of Market Dynamics: Being attuned to the ever-evolving market, we can guide you on what works best, ensuring your furniture pieces resonate with contemporary customers.
  7. End-to-End Solutions: Our partnership doesn’t end with design; we offer comprehensive solutions from sourcing and prototyping to manufacturing and quality assurance.
  8. Collaborative Approach: We believe in the power of collaboration. By working closely with you, we aim to ensure the final product is a perfect amalgamation of our expertise and your vision.
  9. Cost-effective Strategies: Understanding the importance of budgetary considerations, we employ strategies that ensure top-notch quality without straining your finances.
  10. Continuous Engagement: The world of design and furniture is dynamic. We stay engaged with you even post-manufacturing, offering insights into maintenance, market feedback, and potential enhancements.


At Mondoro, we don’t just create furniture; we craft stories of quality, design, and sustainability. Partner with us, and together, let’s shape masterpieces that stand testament to timeless artistry and modern-day demands.as a

If you are interested in seeing how Mondoro can help you with your wood and furniture design – we would love to talk to you about how we can help you.

At Mondoro, we create, develop, and manufacture home decor and furnishing products.

If you want to discover more about how Mondoro can help you create, develop, and manufacture excellent home decor and furniture products, don’t hesitate to contact meAnita. Check out my email by clicking here or become a part of our community and join our newsletter by clicking here.

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What are hardwood solids in furniture?

Hardwood solids in furniture refer to furniture pieces made primarily from solid pieces of wood sourced from hardwood trees.

Which types of wood are commonly used as hardwood solids in furniture?

Commonly used hardwoods for furniture include oak, maple, mahogany, cherry, walnut, and teak.

What distinguishes hardwood solids from other types of wood used in furniture?

Hardwood solids are solid pieces of wood throughout the furniture item, providing durability and strength compared to furniture made from veneers or engineered wood.

Why are hardwood solids preferred in furniture manufacturing?

Hardwood solids are highly valued for their durability, longevity, and resistance to wear and tear, making them ideal for long-lasting furniture pieces.

Are hardwood solids more expensive than other types of wood used in furniture?

Generally, furniture made from hardwood solids tends to be pricier due to the high quality and durability associated with these materials.

Can hardwood solids be refinished?

Yes, one of the advantages of hardwood solids is that they can be sanded and refinished multiple times, allowing for a fresh look and extending the lifespan of the furniture.

Are all furniture pieces labeled as hardwood solids made entirely of solid wood?

It’s important to check the product description or labels to ensure that the furniture piece is indeed made entirely of hardwood solids, as some may contain a combination of solid wood and veneers.

Can hardwood solids be used for outdoor furniture?

Hardwood solids are not typically recommended for outdoor furniture due to their vulnerability to weather conditions. Outdoor furniture often uses specific hardwood species or treated wood for enhanced weather resistance.

What Are Things To Consider When Finding A Solid Wood Manufacture to Manufacture Your Products?

One of the things we look at when we go into a new solid wood furniture manufacturer is in-house kiln wood drying. We also like to know if they understand how to properly join the wood and have the equipment. Also, if the manufacturer is in a hot and tropical climate if they have a dry room to help control the wood moisture levels. We like to work with factories that will cut and shape all the wood themselves and also have in-house finishing facilities.

You can discover more by reading our blog 5 Questions To Ask When Considering A Solid Wood Furniture Manufacturer; read more by clicking here.

What is Solid Wood vs. Engineered Wood?

Solid wood is cut down from the tree, cut into wood boards, and then used for manufacturing. On the other hand, engineered wood is considered manmade as it is usually manufactured with wood chips, wood shavings, and an adhesive. Today the manufacturing of engineered wood is extremely technical.

You can discover more by reading our blog All About Teak Wood And Outdod? by clicking here.

Hardwood Solids Furniture, What Does The Term Mean?

Hardwood solids can include non-solid woods as engineered woods. Hardwood solids are used in furniture and other industries to classify what wood is used in a product. The terms usually do not classify what type of wood is used.

You can discover more by reading our blog Hardwood Solids Furniture, What Does The Term Mean? by clicking here.

Anita Hummel
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