Facts on Brazilian Pine, Pine Wood and Pine Furniture

Characteristics

Dimensional Stability - All woods shrink and swell to some degree as their moisture content fluctuates with atmospheric conditions. However, Brazilian Pine is relatively unaffected by changes in humidity after drying. It has a uniform cell structure and shrinks only a moderate amount, in comparison to other softwood species. It seasons beautifully with minimal splitting, cupping, or warping.

Color & Texture - Brazilian Pine has exceptionally wide sapwood which is honey-toned in color. It has a straight, uniform grain which machines to a clear, smooth surface. Color, texture and grain of pinewood are highly diverse. It is almost impossible to find an exact match of wood color and pattern even if these are taken from two standing trees that grew side by side. As the tree gets older, the color of its wood turns deeper.

Hardness - Solid woods are classified as either hardwoods or softwoods, but the description is based on the tree's foliage rather than the strength of the wood. The wood from conifers (e.g. pine) is called softwood, and the wood from broad-leaved trees (e.g. oak) is called hardwood. These names are a bit misleading, as hardwoods are not necessarily hard, and softwoods are not necessarily soft. For instance, dried weight of pine is around 28 lb/ft³, while hardwoods such as basswood, balsa, butternut or chestnut have dried weight similar to or even lower than that of pine at 26, 10, 28 and 30lb/ft³ respectively.

Logging & Environment

The southern forests of Brazil produce much of the pine. In many parts of the world rapid deforestation is taking place, but all pine wood used in furniture production comes from the reforested areas or tree farms.  Pine wood is one of the fastest growing and economically feasible choices for their craft. Seedlings are economical to plant and will achieve a desirable height within twenty to twenty-five years as compared to hardwoods which are harder to manage and take decades longer to regenerate. 

Aside from the economic advantages pine has to offer, it is an environmentally friendly wood offering stability to a watershed and a habitat for wildlife. Using and patronizing pine wood furniture is environmentally sustainable because it does not threaten the extinction of this species.

Manufacturing

Seasoning - All Brazilian Pine is dried before surfacing to assure uniformity of the finished size. It is seasoned in temperature and humidity-controlled dry kilns or stacked and air-dried until the moisture content reaches the desired level - from 8 to 12%

Woodworking and Furniture - Many properties of the Brazilian Pine put it at the top of the list for furniture and architectural woodwork for its uniform cell structure, scarcity of resin pockets, and resistance to splitting. Pine is also prized where durability under movement is essential such as chests of drawers, dressers or wardrobes. It has the ability to withstand scuffs, shocks and jars without splitting.

Finishing - Brazilian Pine takes most finishes beautifully, including paint, stain, lacquer and varnish. Unlike some of the heavier woods, paints and stains do not raise the grain. Pine brings a warm coziness and depth with its natural light tone, rich grain and knotting.  Stained in a light finish or painted white, pine transforms a room into a space that is light and airy.  A dark finish on pine further enhances the wood, allowing the grain to still show through. Today's finishes are a lot more advanced than the old shellac or oil finishes that needed constant attention. They are water and even sun resistant keeping the original beauty constant for years of regular use.

Pine Furniture

Out of all the wood furniture available today, pine furniture is one of the most popular options. Here are the reasons why it is so appealing to so many people:

Aesthetics - The natural color of pine is very appealing. It is a lighter shade of wood that can be stained or painted to virtually any other color that could be desired. When you bring a piece of pine furniture into your home, you are infusing a room with warmth and character. The distinct knotting of pine adds to its visual appeal, while the grain accents its naturally light color. When dark stains are applied to pine, the distinctive markings stand out just as well and accent the wood just beautifully. The end result is a very rich look that fits into any décor, from country to rustic and from traditional to contemporary.

Pine furniture has many advantages when selecting new pieces for one's home. Pine is a naturally light-colored timber and so it looks so fresh and modern and blends well with many other types of materials and soft furnishings. Its light tones look neutral which means that it will not stand out, it will just look like classic furniture in your rooms. Whether your walls are painted in light pastels or strong intense colors, pine furniture will fit in beautifully.

Another great advantage is that pine furniture looks full of character. This is due to its attractive open grain. The dark lines are from winter and the broader pale grain lines are from faster summer growth. Knots in the wood are where the buds of branches form and they make every single piece of natural timber look quite unique. This rich shade of unique grain ensures that each piece of pine furniture is different from each other.

Durability - Durability is one of the most important things to consider when purchasing furniture. One of the reasons people have to replace items in their home routinely is because they do not purchase high quality furniture made from durable wood sources. Plastic and metal furniture is often less expensive than a solid wood piece of furniture, but they also tear up much faster because the materials just aren't as durable.

Pine is a very strong wood thanks to the natural way pine grows in tough climates and strong winds which force the timber become an excellent shock proof. That creates very durable furniture holding up well to daily use and providing decades of function.  This versatile wood accepts glues, screws and nails easily for greater stability and durability in its structure.

Pricing - Pine is a very affordable wood source because it grows quickly. According to the U.S. Forest Service, growing pine in Brazil cost over 50% less than in the U.S. because the climate promotes faster growth and harvest. In addition, land rents for less.

Of course, you can expect to pay more for a nice piece of solid wood furniture than you would for something similar made from plastic or thin metal. You can often find high quality furniture made from pine that costs less than the same pieces made from other types of wood. Thus, pine furniture can offer excellent value for your money.

Pine Furniture Styles - Due to the light coloring of natural pine wood, many pieces of pine furniture have a very country, warm feeling to them. You can use pine to create virtually any style of furniture, but it is often used to create furniture with a country or more traditional feel to it. The grain tends to be wider and more splinter free than other woods. It does therefore not appear to be "busy" such as oak or boring and plain such as maple

Care and Maintenance - To repair scratches in pine wood furniture, the surface of the damaged area must be cleaned with damp cloth before removing the scratch using fine-grained sandpaper. Application of a little amount of white spirit in the periphery of the scratched surface before finally waxing to finish makes the stain blend as if there is no damage done. Buffing completes the repair procedure.