When sourcing solid wood furniture at the CIFF exhibition, international buyers must deeply understand how the material, grade, and processing techniques influence the final cost and quality.
The core value of solid wood furniture is hidden in the choice and treatment details of the timber.
Click the link below to pre-register now and participate in CIFF 2026 immediately.
https://xt.ciff-gz.com/3807/index.html?ly=57EH00021
I. Solid Wood Material Cost
The cost difference in solid wood furniture is vast.
- North American Black Walnut, Cherry, and Teak are considered high-end hardwoods. They are relatively rare and command the highest cost.
- Red Oak, White Oak, and Ash (Fraxinus) boast high strength and wear resistance. They are the mainstream terminal furniture materials in the international market.
- Rubberwood and Pine are lower in price. While their hardness is inferior to the categories above, their lower cost makes them suitable for manufacturing high cost-performance ratio (value-for-money) furniture.
| Wood Species | Janka Hardness (Pound-force, lbf) | Density (Grams/Cubic Centimeter, g/cm³) | Characteristics and Cost Level |
| High-End Hardwood | Rare, Highest Cost | ||
| Black Walnut (North American) | 1,010 | 0.61 | Beautiful grain, good stability |
| Cherry | 995 | 0.58 | Color deepens over time, fine texture |
| Teak | 1,070 | 0.66 | Extremely high moisture/rot resistance, top choice for outdoor furniture |
| Mainstream Hardwood | High Strength, Mainstream Material | ||
| White Oak | 1,360 | 0.75 | Stable structure, wear-resistant, attractive “ray/fleck” figure |
| Red Oak | 1,290 | 0.71 | High strength, coarse grain, easy to stain |
| Ash | 1,320 | 0.68 | Excellent strength and elasticity, impact-resistant |
| Economy Wood | Lower Cost, High Cost-Performance Ratio | ||
| Rubberwood | 870 | 0.60 | Easy to process, high value-for-money, moderate stability |
| Pine (e.g., Eastern White) | 380 – 690 | 0.35 – 0.50 | Softwood, lowest hardness, lightweight, low cost |
II. Wood Grading
Is the price the same for the same type of wood? Actually, no. Wood has a strict grading system that determines its price.
1. Wood Grade
Even within the same species of wood, defects such as knots and mineral streaks on the wood board will affect the cost. Generally, the fewer the defects, the better the wood quality and the higher the price.
For example, the FAS (First and Second) grade for North American hardwoods has minimal defects and is the highest quality grade. Such premium material is often prioritized for making large tabletops or furniture façades.
In contrast, 1 Common (1C) is the most common grade of lumber, suitable for furniture structures and frames. Therefore, if you attend the CIFF exhibition, you should ask the furniture supplier about the grade of wood they source.
2. Wood Jointing Technique (Panel Construction)
Relying solely on the wood grade is far from enough. The wood jointing technique also relates to the quality of the furniture.
Among them, the finger-jointed panel process has the lowest cost but lacks continuous grain. Solid Wood Panel (continuous stave panel) offers better grain continuity but comes at a higher cost.
Therefore, you need to ask the supplier: “Are the tabletops and side panels constructed using continuous stave panels or finger-jointed panels, and what is the width of the staves (planks) used in the continuous stave panel?”
III. Sourcing Solid Wood Furniture at CIFF: Materials, Grades, and CostsQuality Control
In addition to the wood species and grade, the quality of solid wood furniture is also related to the wood processing technology. Essential elements include controlling the moisture content of the wood and ensuring that the finish (coating) is environmentally friendly.
3. Moisture Content (MC) Control
When first negotiating with a solid wood furniture supplier, a key question you need to ask is: “What moisture content (MC) level is the wood controlled at before and after production?”
Based on local market requirements, finished furniture exported to North America and Europe must have the moisture content strictly controlled between 6% and 10% to prevent cracking and deformation. Suppliers must, therefore, have professional kilns and accurately test and control the MC of the product timber.
4. Finishing (Coating)
Generally, solid wood is considered safer for human health and is thus favored by health-conscious consumers.
However, if the furniture uses a finish, you also need to understand the type of paint or wood wax oil used for the coating. Furthermore, you should request the supplier to provide environmental certification reports regarding formaldehyde, lead, and heavy metals.