Most wood furniture on the market today is not solid wood. “I wouldn’t say that other furniture is junk. It’s just that people are not getting what they think they’re paying for,” solid wood expert Roy Ortega says.

“Here at Gallery Furniture, we love solid wood because the quality materials are part of the craftsman tradition. As an added benefit, solid wood is more durable than the alternatives. People come in all the time who’ve had bad experiences with low quality wood furniture.” Though solid wood often costs more up front, fake wood will cost you more later when it falls apart.

Fake wood is also prone to warping, cracking, and flaking. This is because glue is used to hold the “wood” together ages and deteriorates over time.

Often, a scratch or small gash may damage the thin laminate layer beyond repair. Because the actual wood is so thin, staining and refinishing may be impossible.

Joints are flimsier in fake wood furniture, because of the fasteners used, and because the “wood” material itself does not allow sturdier fasteners to be used.

These quality issues may or may not be apparent when you look at furniture on a showroom floor. That’s why it’s important to make quality a top priority when choosing wood furniture.