When you shop for furniture, you'll see two terms constantly: solid wood and engineered wood. Neither is automatically "better" — they simply serve different purposes.
Solid wood
Solid wood — like the oak in our farmhouse dining tables — is exactly what it sounds like: boards cut from natural timber. It's heavy, durable, and can be sanded and refinished many times over its life. Solid wood develops character with age and, cared for properly, can last generations. It's the right choice for pieces that take daily wear, like dining tables.
Engineered wood
Engineered wood (including plywood and MDF) is made by bonding layers or fibers of wood together. Quality engineered wood is remarkably stable — it resists the seasonal expansion and warping that can affect solid wood, and it keeps large surfaces perfectly flat. It's often used in desks and cabinet panels where a smooth, stable surface matters.
Which should you choose?
- Dining tables and heirloom pieces: solid wood, for longevity and refinishing.
- Desks and modern surfaces: quality engineered wood offers stability and value.
- Mixed construction: many great pieces combine a solid-wood frame with engineered panels — the best of both.
Explore our dining collection and office desks to see both in action.
