1. Check for knots. Solid wood furniture naturally exhibits color variations, with slight differences in hue and grain. Furniture made with solid wood veneer has fewer visible imperfections, and its grain may appear even clearer than that of solid wood furniture. Consumers can use the wood grain and knots as a guide by comparing the corresponding areas on the front and back of the piece; if they align perfectly, the furniture is made of solid wood.
2. Ask specifically whether the furniture is “solid wood” and where MDF (medium-density fiberboard) has been used. Ordinary solid wood furniture is typically made from beech, white oak, ash, elm, zelkova, rubberwood, and oak, while high-end rosewood furniture primarily uses rosewood, zebrawood, and red sandalwood.The market for solid wood furniture is relatively chaotic, with frequent instances of substandard products being passed off as high-quality ones and species being mislabeled. It is advisable to purchase brand-name products. Additionally, keep in mind that the price of wood is rising daily, so if a product is too cheap, it is likely a scam.
3. Tap the surface a few times with your hand; solid wood will produce a crisp sound, while engineered wood will produce a dull sound.
4. Smell the furniture. Most solid wood has a natural scent characteristic of the species: pine has a resinous smell, cypress has a faint fragrance, and camphor wood has a distinct camphor scent. However, particleboard and MDF have a strong, pungent odor, which is often found inside cabinet doors or drawers, making it easy to distinguish between the two.
