Comparing natural wood and industrial wood in interior design: Which one suit the best for you? 7 necessary things you need to know

Whenever it comes to the interior of a house or office, wooden furniture is appreciated the most amongst all other materials because of its charm, durability, and beauty. However, it is also mandatory to point out that, today there are two approaches available in the market to deal with: solid wood vs engineered wood, where each approach has its pluses and minuses. Hence, natural wood versus industrial wood, which will you go for? The upcoming article will help you get a deeper insight into the two categories of wood so that you can make the most appropriate choice.

1. What is natural wood?

Unlike industrial wood, which goes through a lot of treatments, natural wood comes from actual trees. Some of the few types of wood that are very popular include; oak, pine, ironwood, redwood, and rosewood.

Advantages:

• High durability: Natural wood is highly durable, especially rare woods. Some types of wood can be used for decades, even hundreds of years.
• Natural beauty: Natural wood brings luxury and class in interior design with natural wood grain and unique colors.
• Good bearing capacity: Natural wood has better bearing capacity and impact resistance than industrial wood.
• Good carving ability: Natural wood is easy to carve, creating sophisticated and unique interior products.
  

  

Disadvantages:

• • High cost: Natural wood, especially precious wood, is often very expensive, especially when the supply is increasingly scarce.
  • Difficult to construct: The process of processing natural wood requires high techniques and longer construction time than industrial wood.
  • Prone to shrinkage and warping: Natural timber, unless handled properly, is at risk of sustaining damage from the surrounding atmosphere; in particular, changes in temperature and moisture content can cause the timber to either shrink or warp.

2. What is industrial wood?

Industrial timber refers to wood derived from natural timber, but in this case, the timber is processed and made into sheets. Engineered wood tends to be produced by means of wood waste recycling whereby wood chips, wood powders, wood shavings or sawdust is compressed together with chemicals and glue to produce boards. Some popular types of industrial wood include MDF, HDF, MFC and Plywood.

Why we choose them:

• Affordable Cost: When viewed in relation to real timber, manufactured timber is more readily available and costs less, hence affordable for most users.
• No dimensional changes: Durable wood has gone under a treatment process which makes it resistant to the environmental conditions and therefore it does not shrink or warp like in the case of ordinary timber.
• Diverse designs: It can be manufactured easily in a wide range of colors and designs in tune with modern decor.
• Expertise in quick construction: As it has been precast in form of panels, the process of erecting internal fittings using manufactured timber is more expedient and easier.
  

  

Drawback:

• Not as durable as natural wood:  It  is not expensive, like all low-cost materials, it has limitations. The service life of an engineered timber is very short, 10 – 15 years at best depending on its grade and the conditions of its employment.
• Limitations in withstand load: They are inferior in carrying load compared to timber and can be crushed by a powerful blow..
• Cannot be carved: It has a non-homogeneous composition; therefore, it is difficult to obtain intricate details like natural wood..

3. Comparison

4. Should you choose natural wood or industrial wood?

Whether to go for solid wood or engineered wood will primarily depend on your requirements, budget, and the design style of the interiors in your house. A few tips are provided below which will make your decision easier:

When to choose natural wood?

• If you love luxury and high-class: Natural wood gives a finishing warmth to the interior space. Especially in the case of expensive pieces of furniture such as tables and chairs, beds and cabinets, natural wood comes first and foremost.
• Want to invest long term: Natural wood interior is ultimately more expensive than other types of furniture however, it is very abrasion resistant and can be used for an extended period of time.
• Uniqueness: Timber has the characteristic of possessing an exceptional veneer pattern. Therefore, any article made from timber is simply a one of a kind piece.
  

  

When should you choose industrial wood?

• Considering the budget: It is a reasonable choice for those with limited budgets but still want a modern, beautiful interior space.
• Modern and youthful style: Those products can meet the needs of modern, minimalist designs, suitable for current interior decoration trends.
• Finish quickly: With fast construction time, you can save time in the interior finishing process.

5. Conclusion

Choosing natural wood or industrial wood depends not only on aesthetic factors but also on budget and purpose of use in interior design. If you are looking for luxury, class and want to invest long-term, natural wood is the ideal choice. On the contrary, if you prioritize convenience, reasonable cost and fast construction time, industrial wood will be a more suitable choice.

Are you looking for industrial plywood, especially plywood? With a wealth of experience, HPC is able to provide a wide range of high-standard products. Contact us today for more information and discover the perfect pieces for your customers!