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Veneered wood, all solid wood furniture concept confusion
The market is loud with claims that the price of solid wood furniture can be as high as ten times per square meter. "Dalian solid wood cabinets cost 800 yuan per square meter, while Shandong ones are around 400," one agent said. "Veneer options are even cheaper." When a reporter visited the market as a consumer, an agent explained that the pricing of solid wood cabinets was based on the material used. However, the cabinet doors they sold were visually stunning, with brown wood grain patterns. According to the agent, these doors could be made from oak or jujube wood, sourced from Dalian or Shandong. The materials included face veneer, composite solid wood, and full solid wood — but for the average buyer, it's hard to tell the difference. "If the surface looks smooth and attractive, you might think it's real solid wood," the agent warned. "In reality, it's just board paint designed to mimic wood."
In another store specializing in solid wood products, sales staff presented two similar-looking boards to the reporter. One was priced at 2,000 yuan per square meter, while the other was only 200 yuan — a tenfold difference. Most salespeople didn’t clearly understand what “solid wood†truly meant in furniture. Some even mislabeled “solid wood veneer furniture†as “solid wood furniture,†confusing consumers by blurring the lines between different types.
There’s ongoing controversy over the lack of clear standards for solid wood furniture. Solid wood furniture, especially items made from mahogany or dark hardwoods, often carry significant collection value. Unfortunately, some merchants exploit this by reconditioning old furniture and infringing on consumer rights. Others use misleading advertising, claiming “solid wood veneer†is the same as “solid wood,†or comparing “solid wood†with “all solid wood†to confuse buyers.
So, what exactly qualifies as solid wood furniture? During the visit, sellers had varying opinions. Some claimed that solid wood furniture must be entirely made from natural, unprocessed wood without any wood-based panels. Others argued that according to industry rules, if the solid wood content exceeds 30%, it can still be labeled as solid wood. It was also revealed that true solid wood furniture is rare in the market. If it exists, it would likely be called “mahogany furniture.†In reality, most so-called solid wood furniture has a core of solid wood, while the outer layers are imitation wood made from sheets.
The definition of what constitutes solid wood is key to understanding the confusion. A lack of clear standards has led to widespread market chaos. Recently, the National Furniture and Indoor Environmental Quality Inspection Center and the Beijing Consumers Association released draft guidelines for furniture labeling, seeking public feedback. These rules aim to address local standards in Beijing and may eventually be adopted nationwide.
According to the new standard, wooden furniture is categorized into solid wood, solid wood veneer, wood-based panels, integrated wood, and mahogany furniture. To be labeled as solid wood furniture, all parts (excluding mirrors, moldings, and hardware) must be made from solid wood lumber or panels. If the surface is untreated, it’s considered solid wood furniture. If the base includes wood-based panels, it becomes “comprehensive wood furniture.†And if it’s made entirely from wood-based panels like particleboard or MDF, it should only be called “wood-based panel furniture.â€
Industry associations believe this standard provides clarity. In the first category, everything is solid wood. In the second, it’s partially solid wood. In the third, if artificial panels are involved, it can’t be called solid wood. This means, in the future, merchants will no longer be able to mislead customers by using vague definitions. As long as the structure contains any artificial panels, it won’t qualify as solid wood furniture.