Materials used for furniture construction

 Metal

Metal furniture has gained entry into the modern homes, offices, waiting rooms, porches,

gardens. Metal furniture is a type of furniture that uses metal parts in its construction. Their

advantages are

• It is strong, highly durable, fire proof, light in weight and heat does not affect it.

• The Metal furniture can give a beautiful look.

• It can withstand weather conditions, and is therefore suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

• Although metals require low maintenance, they are long-lasting.

• Moreover they are mass produced. And it has greatly lowered its cost.

• They are available in various sizes and shapes and are comfortable.

There are various types of metal that can be used, such as iron, Wrought iron, steel,

aluminium, and stainless steel. Wrought iron - Wrought iron furniture has proved its

longevity and appeal by its continuous use to this day.

It has given us endless designs and we can choose from bedroom furniture to dining furniture.

Steel, especially tubular steel furniture is popular trend after wrought iron. This kind of

furniture is tough and need less maintenance. A wide range of steel furniture is hitting the

market which includes overall home furnishings. Steel furniture is good looking, elegant and

demanding. It can be decorative at both the sections including indoor and outdoor.

Aluminium furniture looks ethnic. It can add charm as well which offers durability and

comfort. It has resistance to rust and corrosion. It is high in quality and low in prices.

Stainless steel the multi-purpose furniture that can be folded and kept away after use is made

out of this material. They can be manufactured in any shape you desire. They last for a long

time without any damage or corrosion.

Plastic

Plastic furniture is present in every house hold today. It has dominated its presence in every

industry. There are two types of plastics used for making furniture: Thermoplastics

Thermosetting plastics. Furniture made of thermoplastic has loose molecular chain bond that

makes it flexible.

Advantages of using plastic furniture:

1. Plastic furniture is inexpensive when compared to wood or metal.

2. Comfortable and stylish furniture can be made with plastic with a very low cost.

3. It is light weighted.

4. You can move around the furniture without any help to any convenient locations without

much strain.

5. Generally the plastic furniture is unbreakable.

6. It does not break when it is handled roughly.

7. Plastic furniture has low or no maintenance cost.

8. It is generally unbreakable and does not require regular maintenance like wooden furniture.

etc.

9. Plastic furniture is available in vibrant colours and can change the appearance and the

mood of the room.

10. Plastic can be easily moulded to any desired shape and carvings can be easily made to get

variety of designs.

11. Usage of plastic reduces cutting of trees and thereby deforestation.

Disadvantages of Plastic furniture:

 Plastic furniture lacks longevity. It has a tendency to break or fall apart very easily

within a short span of time. It is not sturdy and cannot withstand heavy weight and

pressure.

 It lacks elegance. Especially, when compared to wooden furniture, plastic furniture

lacks boldness and elegance.

 Making plastic furniture is not eco friendly. Even if people say that you do not need to

cut trees for making furniture in plastic, the other side of the coin is that plastic is not

bio degradable. Hence, it has lot of environmental hazards.

Leather

Even though they are a bit expensive, there is no match for the comfort of leather furniture.

They offer a comfortable seating in any climate and can be cleaned using a special leather

cleaning liquid. Synthetic leather which is a clone of leather, is cheaper than latter but is the

same in quality normally cushions placed over the wooden furniture are covered using

synthetic leather. Another advantage of these is that they don’t require much maintenance.

Leather is a popular material used in furniture construction due to its durability, aesthetic

appeal, and comfort.

Types of Leather

1. Full-Grain Leather:

Characteristics: Made from the outermost layer of the hide, full-grain leather retains the

natural grain and markings. It is the most durable and develops a patina over time.

Uses: High-end furniture, such as sofas and chairs, where durability and a natural look are

desired.

2. Top-Grain Leather:

Characteristics: Also made from the outer layer of the hide, but has the top layer sanded off

to remove imperfections. It is then treated to produce a more uniform appearance.

Uses: Mid-to-high-end furniture, offering a balance between durability and a smooth,

polished look.

3. Corrected-Grain Leather:

Characteristics: Similar to top-grain leather but more heavily treated and sanded to remove

imperfections. It is often embossed with an artificial grain to enhance uniformity.

Uses: Mid-range furniture, where appearance is important but some natural characteristics

of the leather are sacrificed for a uniform look.

4. Split Leather:

Characteristics: Made from the lower layers of the hide after the top grain has been

separated. It is less durable and often used with a coating to improve its appearance and

durability.

Uses: Budget furniture and areas where the leather will not be subjected to heavy use.

5. Bonded Leather:

Characteristics: Made from scraps of leather that are bonded together with polyurethane or

latex. It is the least durable type of leather.

Uses: Low-cost furniture where the look of leather is desired without the high cost.

Processing and Finishing

Aniline Leather: Dyed with soluble dyes without covering the surface with a topcoat. It

retains the hide's natural surface but is more susceptible to staining and fading.

Semi-Aniline Leather: Lightly coated with a protective finish, making it more resistant to

stains and fading while maintaining a natural appearance.

Pigmented Leather: Coated with a polymer surface containing pigments, making it more

durable and resistant to scratches and stains but less natural-looking.

Benefits of Leather Furniture

Durability: Leather is more durable than many fabrics, with full-grain and top-grain leathers

being particularly long-lasting.

Aesthetic Appeal: Leather provides a classic and luxurious look, enhancing the appearance of

any room.

Comfort: Leather furniture can be very comfortable, adjusting to body temperature and

becoming suppler with use.

Maintenance: While leather requires specific care, it is generally easier to clean than fabric,

especially when spills are wiped off promptly.

Considerations for Leather Furniture

Cost: Leather furniture can be more expensive than fabric alternatives, especially for high-

quality leather types.

Maintenance: Requires regular conditioning to prevent drying and cracking, and care should

be taken to avoid direct sunlight and heat sources.

Environment: Leather production involves the use of chemicals and has a significant

environmental impact. However, some manufacturers are adopting more sustainable

practices.

Fabric

Fabric furniture is a symbol of sophistication and luxury. While purchasing Fabric furniture

and sofa sets, take special care to buy the ones whose upholstery can be removed. This will

help in the cleaning of dirty fabric. Jute, cotton, velvet and linen are of the highest demand in

the market.

Fabric is another popular choice for furniture construction, offering a wide range of textures,

colors, and patterns. Different types of fabrics are used depending on the desired look, feel,

and durability.

Natural Fabrics

1. Cotton

Characteristics: Soft, breathable, and comfortable. Cotton can be woven into various

patterns and textures.

Uses: Suitable for casual furniture, slipcovers, and cushions. It is often blended with other

fibers to improve durability.

Pros: Hypoallergenic, affordable, and available in many colors and patterns.

Cons: Prone to wrinkling and staining, and may wear out faster than synthetic fabrics.

2. Linen

Characteristics: Made from the flax plant, linen is durable, breathable, and has a natural

luster.

Uses: Ideal for formal living rooms or low-traffic areas. Often used in slipcovers and

decorative pillows.

Pros: Cool and comfortable, resistant to pilling and fading.

Cons: Wrinkles easily, can be prone to stains and abrasion.

3. Wool

Characteristics: Warm, durable, and resistant to pilling and staining. Often blended with

synthetic fibers for improved performance.

Uses: Great for high-traffic areas and cooler climates. Commonly used in upholstery and

blankets.

Pros: Naturally flame-resistant, good insulation, and long-lasting.

Cons: Can be expensive, may feel scratchy, and requires professional cleaning.

4. Silk

Characteristics: Luxurious and smooth with a natural sheen. Delicate and best suited for

low-traffic areas.

Uses: Often used in formal settings, such as decorative pillows and draperies.

Pros: Elegant appearance, hypoallergenic.

Cons: Expensive, prone to fading and damage from sunlight, requires careful maintenance.

Synthetic Fabrics

1. Polyester

Characteristics: Durable, resistant to stretching and shrinking, and easy to clean. Often

blended with other fibers.

Uses: Widely used in various types of furniture due to its versatility and affordability.

Pros: Resistant to wrinkles, fading, and abrasion.

Cons: Can pill over time, less breathable than natural fibers.

2. Nylon

Characteristics: Strong and resilient, often blended with other fibers to increase durability.

Uses: Ideal for high-traffic areas and furniture that needs to withstand heavy use.

Pros: Resistant to wear and tear, easy to clean.

Cons: Can fade in direct sunlight, may feel less soft compared to natural fibers.

3. Acrylic

Characteristics: Soft and lightweight, often used as a wool substitute. Resistant to sunlight

and mildew.

Uses: Commonly used in outdoor furniture and areas with high moisture levels.

Pros: Resists fading and stains, good for outdoor use.

Cons: Can pill and may feel less luxurious than natural fibers.

4. Olefin (Polypropylene)

Characteristics: Highly durable, resistant to moisture, mildew, and chemicals. Often used in

outdoor and commercial furniture.

Uses: Suitable for outdoor furniture, basements, and high-traffic areas.

Pros: Extremely durable, easy to clean, and affordable.

Cons: Limited color and pattern options, can feel rough.

Blended Fabrics

Blended fabrics combine natural and synthetic fibers to create a material that leverages the

benefits of both. Common blends include:

Cotton-Polyester: Combines the softness and breathability of cotton with the durability and

wrinkle resistance of polyester.

Wool-Nylon: Blends the warmth and resilience of wool with the strength and durability of

nylon.

Linen-Viscose: Mixes the natural look and feel of linen with the improved drapability and

softness of viscose.

Fabric Considerations

Durability: Consider the furniture's usage and select a fabric with a suitable abrasion rating

(measured in double rubs).

Maintenance: Some fabrics require professional cleaning, while others can be spot-cleaned or

machine-washed.

Colorfastness: Ensure the fabric is resistant to fading, especially for furniture placed in direct

sunlight.

Allergies: Natural fibers like cotton and linen are generally hypoallergenic, while some

synthetic fibers may cause reactions in sensitive individuals.

Glass

No one needs an introduction on glass furniture. They are seen in almost all houses in one

form or the other.

Glass furniture have the following advantages:

➢ It gives modern look to decor, particularly when combined with metal or wood.

➢ It is easy to maintain and there is

➢ No danger of termite attacks.

➢ The best part is its transparency.

➢ It gives the illusion of space, which makes a room look bigger and more spacious.

➢ Tempered and this increases the life of the furniture.

➢ It is extremely durable. It doesn’t require any extra maintenance effort.

The disadvantages of glass furniture are,

➢ It's expensive.

➢ Glass needs more care to avoid breakage, cracks, scratches and chipping of the glass.