One of the age-old debates when it comes to furnishing your home is whether you should get solid wood or plywood furniture, as each type comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. It also depends on what your preferences are, such as longevity, design, and so on. Some homeowners prefer short-term furniture so they can replace them regularly to stay current with the latest furniture trends, for instance. If you’re having a hard time deciding between plywood furniture and solid wood furniture in Singapore, here are the different pros and cons to consider.

Strength of Material

Typically, solid wood furniture in Singapore is considered to be stronger than plywood as it is a homogeneous material for the most part. Even amongst solid wood furniture, there are sturdier kinds of wood, such as hardwoods from teak and sheesham, that are more resilient than softwoods like pine or mango wood. On the other hand, plywood consists of thinner wooden sheets that have been artificially glued together, and the strength of the plywood is proportionate to the strength of the glue as well as the quality of the plywood itself. Although plywood is often thought of as flimsy, there are stronger types of plywood, such as Gurjan wood.

While slightly subjective, solid wood furniture in Singapore is generally thought of as better crafter and more intricate in design, and for good reason — seeing as solid wood is more premium and is therefore often treated as such, evidenced by designer furniture in Singapore comprising these materials. Solid wood often comes with its own grain patterns and genuine brown tones, while plywood requires artificial enhancements to achieve the same finish. 

Maintenance

Plywood surfaces, especially if they’re laminated, are scratch and moisture resistant and therefore easier to maintain; they can simply be wiped down with a damp cloth. The thicker the laminate, the better. While good quality solid wood furniture in Singapore, such as teak, is also reasonably easy to maintain, it does become darker with age, which is why sanding and polishing is occasionally required to maintain the material’s original shine and colour. 

Longevity

Contrary to popular belief, plywood furniture isn’t as brittle as it is commonly thought to be. Good quality plywood, such as waterproof and marine grade plywood, is sturdier and more resilient to the elements. Similarly, the durability of solid wood furniture in Singapore is dependent on the quality of the wood used. For instance, hardwood like teak is stronger than softwood, like pine. 

Cost

When it comes to buying furniture in Singapore, cost is more often than not, the single biggest deciding factor; after all, we’re always looking for higher quality and lower prices. It’s no secret that solid wood furniture is more expensive than plywood furniture; this is down to its high demand and low supply, as the supply of wood from forest reserves needs to be controlled and kept limited for environmental reasons. Additionally, wood from plantations takes longer to mature. Due to the scarcity of natural wood, engineered plywood furniture has gained popularity in the market due to its low cost and availability, especially amongst homeowners who prefer changing up their furniture every so often.

Whether you’re looking for plywood or solid wood furniture in Singapore, Born in Color has you covered. Shop our latest collections here.