When wood furniture is first created, it may look slightly different from how it looks after it has been used for many years. Wood is a living material, meaning that it will naturally age, change colors, and deteriorate over time. The type of wood used to craft your furniture will change how the color looks after use, sun exposure, or as stains begin to deteriorate. Understanding how hardwoods age can help you make a move informed choice about your furniture. Let’s look at how common wood types change as they age.
Cherry Wood
Cherry wood is known for its reddish undertones that appear pink when first cut. Over time, cherry develops a deeper and richer tone that can work for a variety of home types. Cherry wood provides more natural warmth to a space and is a sophisticated wood that fits well in modern designs or commercial settings. The deepening in color, also known as patination, adds more depth to the wood’s appearance.
Placing items on the wood around your home could lead to uneven color development on cherry wood. Hanging frames, placing tablecloths, or leaving books in the same spot for extended periods of time can leave a darker box of color along your wood walls or furniture as the wood is exposed to the sun and air.
Oak
One wood type that has a more gradual color change is Oak. This wood type will develop a more distinctive grain pattern as time passes, as well as a warmer undertone. New oak pieces will look slightly yellow or beige, but over time, the tone will become more of a honey color. Red oak will adopt more of an amber color rather than a golden hue.
Oak is a wood that wears well, which makes it suitable for many areas in a home or office that see frequent use. Scratches and dents will be less noticeable on oak furniture, but exposure to sunlight can speed up the color-changing element of natural wood. Oak furniture or walls will not have as dramatic a change compared to cherry wood.
Maple
Maple is a lighter colored wood that starts off almost white when cut. It provides a bright appearance for different furniture pieces or accents. As a maple piece ages, it will take on a warmer and golden tone, similar to other light wood types. Its grain pattern will also become more noticeable as time passes, giving the piece more depth and a more traditional aesthetic. As the grain pattern and color progress, maple becomes more appealing to a variety of customers. It is often referred to as a timeless wood that fits a number of home designs and style preferences.
To avoid uneven coloring on maple wood, make sure to rotate the objects placed on top periodically and keep the furniture piece away from harsh UV exposure in one area. Although the sun can speed up the coloration process, maple is resistant to other damage, such as denting and scratching. Your piece will maintain a polished appearance for many years.
Walnut
A warm, dark brown wood like walnut will continue to deepen with age. This is a wood that is truly timeless, as it will continue to develop and become more pronounced over the years. A honey color will start to appear all across the grain as the walnut ages, making the grain more prominent and typically making the wood look lighter. When we think of solid wood furniture, we typically notice walnut pieces. Most high-end furniture is crafted from walnut because of its durability and graceful aging.
Is There A Way To Stop How Hardwoods Age?
While it is not possible to completely stop wood aging, you can slow the process. The biggest accelerator of wood aging is sunlight, as it causes more oxidation, which leads to yellowing or color deepening. Homeowners can install UV protective film on windows, install sun-blocking curtains, or focus on rotating the furniture or objects on a wood surface frequently.
Another way to slow down the aging process is to apply a top coat to your tables, chairs, or dressers. This coating will inhibit oxygen from directly touching the wood and will also keep dust and debris from settling on top of the item. This will limit not only discoloration but also minor scratches and abrasions.
Hardwood Furniture From Our Craftsmen
Sugar House Furniture uses a variety of wood types to craft our furniture pieces, ensuring that they are durable and long-lasting for generations to come. Our family business is committed to sharing the beauty of solid wood furniture with our customers in Utah. Sugar House offers so many different pieces, sizes, colors, and designs that will appeal to all different personalities. View our products on our website or come to our in-person showroom to see what pieces will work best for your home.
