In a world where solid wood furniture is the standard for luxury, particle board doesn’t tend to get the respect it deserves. While there is no way to replicate the strength, durability and look of different woods, particle board office furniture comes pretty close and offers its own list of unique advantages.
If the price tag that comes with solid wood furniture has you hoarding your pennies, it might be time to consider the benefits of particle board alternatives. To help you make an informed decision, here are eight reasons why you should buy a particle board desk for your office.
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7 Reasons To Consider Particle Board Links
1. Affordable
Solid wood is beautiful, but it is also expensive. Particle board furniture provides a much more cost effective option. While many assume that paying less also means sacrificing performance, that isn’t necessarily true. In fact, particle board comes in a variety of grades that provide different densities for added durability.
The highest- grade particle board on the market features a core that is made up of larger pieces of wood. The particles that are closer to the surface of the board are smaller and more densely packed to provide added strength. While particle board is manufactured using wood scraps, it can still offer a level of durable performance that rivals solid wood while also costing significantly less.
2. Flexible
If you are a bit of a handyperson, you can use the flexibility of particle board furniture to create customized solutions. Often times, desks, bookcases and other pieces of furniture come pre-fabricated and require some assembly. For those with a creative bent, these raw materials provide the opportunity to mix and match parts and put together an end product that goes beyond the intended design.
3. Easy to work with
For those who aren’t mechanically inclined and who may have limited space to assemble their furniture, particle board products come with detailed instructions and don’t require an entire workshop to assemble. If you can clear a little space and follow some step-by-step instructions, you can enjoy a new piece of durable office furniture in no time at all.
The pre-fabricated design also means that you won’t need a bunch of special tools. Typically, a screwdriver and hammer are enough. In addition, the very composition of particle board means that it accepts both nails and screws well for a tight fit that will last.
4. Stylish
Particle board provides an ideal substrate for supporting a variety of different laminates and wood veneers. You can choose from different colors, textures and actual wood finishes to find a look that best suits your taste. Just because particle board office furniture costs less, doesn’t mean that it will look cheap.
5. Lightweight
Solid wood and MDF are both super dense products. While this makes them strong and durable, it also means that they tend to be heavy. If you are managing a large office that will often need to be rearranged to address personnel changes and other demands, you may want to consider a more lightweight alternative.
The very nature of the particle board manufacturing process means pockets of air are built into the material. This allows it to be more lightweight than other products while still offering enough strength to withstand the demands of a busy office. It also means that particle board furniture may be the perfect option if you anticipate having to move your furniture.
6. Dent resistant
It might be hard to image that other dense furniture materials would be prone to damage, but certain woods are relatively soft. Pine, for example, which is a popular option for furniture construction is considered to be quite soft, which means that it can easily be dented.
Particle board, on the other hand, provide a hard surface that is dent resistant. Any laminate or veneer surface only adds to the strength of the board and helps to provide a final product that will continue to look like new not matter how many times you roll your office chair right into the side of the desk.
7. Easy to update
Just because you thought a certain color or finish was stylish and sure to stand the test of time doesn’t mean that you will feel the same way about it five years down the line. All you have to do is take a look at one of your hairstyles from ten years ago to realize that some things simply go out of fashion and require an update every now and then.
Fortunately, particle board office furniture is easy to freshen up for new look that better reflects your business and provides a modern feel. All you have to do is apply a laminate primer to your desk or bookshelf and it will readily accept any paint color you choose. If your office is beginning to feel a little dated, you don’t have to buy all new furniture. A couple coats of primer and paint will be enough to do the job.
Final Thoughts
Particle board furniture tends to get a bad rap despite offering an incredibly affordable, durable and flexible product. While there are some companies that will try to pass off cheaply made furniture that simply won’t last, there are plenty of reputable manufacturers who are doing truly impressive things with composite materials such as particle board. A little research can help you avoid poorly manufactured products and enjoy great return on your investment.
