Many vendors and sellers are present online, which has made buying oak furniture from the comfort of your home quite easier. Thus, while getting beautiful long-lasting pieces for the home, there is always the risk of identifying the real deal from a mediocre one. Hence, here’s a guide that will help you identify quality oak furniture while making an online purchase.
Table of Contents
1. Type of Oak Used
Not all oak furniture is the same. The quality of oak is determined by its type:
Oak Solid – Best quality oak furniture is made out of 100% solid oak. It’s strong, robust, and enduring.
Oak Veneer- Some furniture made from cheaper woods with a very thin layer of oak veneer. Though it may look like oak, the durability and strength are not nearly as great as that of oak solid.
Engineered Oak- This is made of compressed wood fibers with an oak surface. More affordable, yet less strong compared to the solid oak.
Always read the product description before purchasing and see if it is a solid oak or just an oak veneer.
2. The Wood Grain and Finish
Oak is renowned for its natural grain pattern, and the quality of oak furniture must be beautiful with a uniform wood grain. Real oak furniture has visible knots, lines, and patterns that make it warm and natural-looking.
Good finish- The finish on oak furniture is also significant. Oak furniture must be finished with:
Oil Finish – It enhances the wood’s natural beauty and protects it from wear.
Wax Finish- Gives a soft, silky finish but allows the wood to breathe.
Lacquer Finish- A smooth, glossy finish with good protection.
Do not purchase furniture with a too shiny or very cheap-looking finish, as it may indicate that the material used is low grade or artificial finish.
3. Check the Joints and Construction
A good oak should have tight, solid joints. Some of the quality construction includes:
Dovetail Joints- This is evidence of good craftsmanship and strength.
Mortise and Tenon Joints- The full range of traditional joinery to provide a rock-solid connection.
Almost no or No Screw and Nail marks– Superb Furniture that is stiffly assembled with no glue or nails present.
If the product description indicates that it is ‘stapled’, ‘glued’, or ‘paper-thin screwed’ together, then is likely assembled for the rubbish heap.
4. Read the Product Description Carefully
Take a few minutes to read the details about the product before clicking “buy.” Consider the following:
Wood Type: Does it state that it’s solid oak or only oak veneer?
Dimensions: Measure it up carefully, to make sure it fits the space.
Assembly: Some of them come assembled; others need to be assembled.
Weight: The heavier furniture pieces are those made of solid oak, whereas lighter ones could be made from inferior materials.
If the description is vague or unclear, call the seller for clarification before buying.
5. Read Customer Reviews and Ratings
Customer reviews are a great way to find out whether oak furniture is of high quality. Look for reviews that describe:
How long the furniture will last.
The quality of the wood and finish.
Whether it matches the product description.
How easy it is to assemble.
How the delivery process and packaging went.
Do not purchase furniture with many bad reviews or with no reviews.
6. Seller’s Reputation
Buy from good online stores or sellers with high ratings. Check for:
Known furniture brands or stores
Clear contact details and customer service
Return policies and warranties
If a website is not clear on return policies, has bad customer service, or lacks secure payment options, then it is probably not trustworthy.
7. Compare Prices and Don’t Fall into Deals That Seem Too Good
Oak furniture is an investment. Be careful with the prices that are too low. If a seller is selling a solid oak dining table at a very low price, then it might not be genuine oak.
Compare the prices from several sellers to give you an idea of how much a good price is. Yes, discounts and sales can actually save you a lot of money, but sometimes extremely low prices are low in quality as well.
8. Check the Warranty and Return Policy
A good oak furniture seller must offer a warranty or guarantee about the oak furniture. Before buying, look for the following:
Warranty Duration – Good furniture comes with a guarantee of at least 1 year.
Return Policy – Find out if it can be taken back or changed if you find it is unsatisfactory for you.
Damage Policy- Check what you do if there is damage that has occurred from the delivery and handling.
Don’t shop anywhere that doesn’t have a return policy.
Buy online oak furniture can be a great way to find beautiful, solidly made pieces for your home, but you should know what to look for. You should check the type of wood, finish, construction, reviews, and reputation of the seller to make sure you invest in quality durable, attractive oak furniture that will last for years.
Always source products from reputable online sellers, compare prices, and carefully read the product details. In this way, you will be sure to avoid shoddy furniture and, therefore, enjoy the best value for your money.
