When you’re buying a nice dining set made of all solid wood, you want to be sure that your purchase is going to last.  You’ve taken the time out to really inspect the joints used in the table, make sure the grain is facing the same direction, and picked out the type of wood you like. Here are some great tips from Dr. Leona Hawks, a home furnishings and housing specialist, on how to make sure that the actual final construction of your seating is made to withstand constant pressure and use.

Check under the chair to make sure the outside rungs and posts go all the way through the seat. They will be far less likely to break off if they are secured firmly in this way. Also, compare the number of posts or spindles on the back of the chair between your selections. The higher the number, the more sturdy the back will be to constant pressure. Old school style ladder back chairs are the weakest style, as they only have 2 posts for back support. Choose a vertical style with many posts to ensure the chair will stand up to use.

Be wary of chair legs that have no additional reinforcements. For a lasting piece, you’ll want stretcher bars and rungs between the legs to strengthen them. If you don’t find these, be on the lookout for other types of reinforcement under the seat joining the legs.

Look at the bottom of the legs and make sure the tips are flat and covered with vinyl or rubber tips to prevent scraping on hardwood floors.  No one wants a piece of furniture that may ruin the beautiful finish of their flooring, which is very difficult and costly to repair.

Sit in your prospective purchase and make sure you don’t hear any creaks, feel any swaying or unevenness. Everything should feel secure, sturdy and level with the floor, wobbling and creaking are definitive signs of a chair that won’t be around much longer with regular use.

Take these tips with you the next time you are in the market for quality, made in America home furnishings and we promise you won’t be disappointed. You’ll be armed with knowledge that will help you make a purchase that you can rely on and pass down through your family if you take good care of it.