What does being “green”, “environmentally friendly”, or “eco-friendly” mean?  There are no single agreed upon definitions but it is generally agreed upon that it means something about the environmental footprint of a product.  Not only does Khoury, Inc. practice environmentally sound procedures, we comply with third-party certifications to monitor our claim.

What does SmartWood Certified mean?  When the final product you are purchasing has been made from 70% or more of materials that can be traced in supply chains from managed forests, it is considered Certified by SmartWood.  Not only does Khoury Inc. produce FSC/SmartWood lines of furniture, we own a lumber mill that is also certified.   www.rainforest-alliance.org/SmartWood

What is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)?  They are the most recognized and trusted independent third-party association which the Rainforest Alliance endorses for the training and education of business, governments and communities to change their land-use practices and set standard for their long-term use.   This council assures consumers that the wood products they purchase come from companies that support responsible and sustainable forestry practices.   www.fscus.org

What is the Rainforest Alliance?  This non-profit organization works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land to set standards for sustainability by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.  They help companies succeed while leaving a small footprint on the environment.  www.rainforest-alliance.org

What is the USGBC?   The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices.  They are working to promote environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.  Khoury Inc. believes in protecting our ecosystem and is a member of this organization.  More information about the USGBC can be obtained by visiting their website located at www.usgbc.org 

Why are there color variations in my wood furniture?  Variations within a particular specie is influenced by a multitude of factors including available sunlight, temperature, soil types, minerals and the genetic composition of the wood. As a product of nature, each individual wood species contains numerous unique grain patterns, color hues and assorted natural characteristics. The wood materials used in Khoury furniture are from natural and renewable natural resources. Each piece of wood adds to the individuality and distinctiveness of that item.

From most expensive to least expensive, how do you rate furniture construction? The most expensive construction is SOLID WOOD. Second would be veneer or plywood, the least and most common method is veneer over particle board. At Khoury, Inc. we use SOLID WOOD and MDF in our more aggressively priced groups.

What is Aspen wood?  There are five typical aspen all native to cold regions with cool summers.  The deciduous Aspens typically grow in large colonies by spreading root suckers or seeds. They can grow up to 40 feet tall in a short period of time.  Aspen has increased in popularity in forestry, mostly because of its fast growth rate and ability to regenerate from sprouts, which makes the regeneration of the forest after harvesting or a fire much cheaper, as no planting or sowing is required.  The wood is white and fairly strong with very low flammability.  Although it can be stained, the lack of wood grain prompts more customers to paint this type of hard wood.

What is Ash wood?  In North America there are two primary types of Ash trees:  White and Black.  White Ash wood is clear white to pale yellow sapwood with straight grains, open pores and is hard with no distinctive taste or odor.  It is tough yet elastic with high shock resistance and excellent steam bending characteristics. Black Ash is more consistent pale brown or tan color and a little softer.  Ash finishes relatively easily and takes a beautiful stain.  It can be stained to look like oak as the grain pattern of the two woods is similar.  

What is Birch wood?    Birch grows abundantly in North America. White birch is the most common because of its distinctive smooth resinous white bark that peels, rolls or curls in some fashion. Birch trees are usually the first to establish in cleared land and reach an average height of 70 feet and 2 feet in diameter. Birch has a fine and uniform texture, closed pores, no significant odor and stains and finishes easily. The wood is mostly white but as it nears the core will show brown flame patters, with white sap edges…quite dramatic.

What is MDF?   Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is the conversion of various scrap wood species, mill waste, sawdust and wood chips into fibers which are bound together by a resin.

What is veneer?  Veneer is thin slices of wood (usually thinner than 1/8 inch) that are glued and pressed onto core boards to produce flat panels such as doors, top and side panels for cabinets, floors and parts of furniture. Veneer is obtained by either “peeling” the trunk of a tree or by slicing large blocks of woods known as fletches through the growth rings of a tree. Each slicing process gives a very distinctive type of grain. Plywood consists of three or more layers of veneer each glued with its grain at right angles to adjacent layers for added strength. 

How do you measure wood thickness?  Hardwood lumber is traditionally termed by quarter inch increments.  When surfaced, 5/4 (pronounced five quarter) is nominally one and one-quarter inches thick; 4/4 (pronounced four quarter) would be one inch thick and so on.

What are side-mounted Euro Glides?  The best drawer glides now available are Euro-Glides.  This is a smooth rolling metal track with Teflon coated wheels that is far superior to the old style wood guides.  The new style glides have “stops” that keep the drawer from falling out when fully opened.    

What is Dovetail drawer construction?  Dovetail describes how the drawers of furniture pieces are joined together.  Dovetail construction is an aspect of how long a piece of furniture is going to last.  Poorly constructed or very inexpensive furniture does not use dovetail construction.  The drawer pieces are stapled, screwed or glued together.  At Khoury Inc. we use both English and French Dovetail in assembling our furniture.

The best quality furniture is manufactured using “English Dovetail” construction which is basically a series of small “V” shapes that are cut from one surface (the sides) with the opposite surface (the back or front) with “V” shaped cut outs of the opposite shape.  These pieces are locked together in such a manner that it is almost impossible to separate them.  The highest quality drawers are construction using this method for both the fronts and backs.  English Dovetails construction provides the most storage capacity.

French Dovetail uses a single vertical “V” shaped cut out where the pieces slide together and then are reinforced by staples or nails. Because the cuts can not be put at the end of the drawer fronts, the drawer becomes smaller in width and shallower.   This method is not as good as the English Dovetail but is superior to a non-dovetail construction and is a reasonable alternative.

Is there a difference between oil based and water based stains and sealers?  Water based stains will raise the grain of the wood you are finishing.  Water based sealers and lacquers are Earth friendly.  Some furniture companies use a pre-conditioner or pre-sealer to get a smoother deeper appearance. Oil based stains do not raise the grain of wood and a smoother looking texture is achieved without additional steps.  The oil based sealers and lacquers are transparent and can contain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).  At Khoury Inc. we use eco-friendly water based finishes for better human health and environmental perspectives.

What type of finish is considered the best?  Many finishes enhance the aesthetics of a piece of furniture but in terms of durability, the best finishes contain at least the following steps, all of which are included in the finishing process at Khoury Inc.

Khoury Inc. supports the Unfinished Wood Association.  For additional information and tips on finishing your own furniture visit www.unfinishedfurniture.org

Khoury, Inc.’s goal is to be a resource and partner with you in making your home a safe and healthy place to live. Our wood is locally sourced and responsibly harvested; waste is minimal as excess wood chips and sawdust is used as fuel to heat our facilities; and our shipping packages are made from recycled materials. If you have a question we have not covered, please contact us.