6 Kinds of Wood for Bed Frames: Oak, Walnut, Rubberwood, Cherrywood…Which is Better?

With the growing popularity of solid wood bed frames, the market is now flooded with countless options from various brands. But amidst all the marketing buzzwords, how much do you really know about them? What exactly does "solid wood" mean? How do different types of wood compare? Why is walnut such a popular choice? And what are the pros and cons of each type of wood? In this article, we'll break it all down to help you make an informed decision and find the perfect solid wood bed frame that suits your style and needs.

What Is Solid Wood?

The term "solid wood" doesn't refer to a specific type of wood, but rather to the material. It means the product is made from whole, natural wood, which is crafted directly from a single piece or multiple solid pieces of timber without the use of engineered materials like plywood, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), or particleboard. True solid wood furniture retains the natural grain, texture, and structural integrity of the wood. Common solid woods used in furniture include oak, rubberwood, and walnut, among others.

However, some less scrupulous manufacturers may use terms like "solid wood" to describe furniture that is actually made from engineered wood with a thin veneer of real wood on the surface. Known as veneer furniture, this type of furniture is a more cost-effective alternative and involves applying a thin layer of real wood veneer over a core of less expensive or engineered material, such as MDF. The result mimics the look and feel of genuine solid wood but comes at a lower price point. While this type of furniture is typically lighter and easier to maintain, it lacks the durability and long-term resilience of true solid wood, especially when it comes to wear and impact resistance. That's why careful inspection is essential before making a purchase.

How Solid Wood Is Classified

Solid wood is generally categorized in two ways. One is based on botanical classification into "hardwood" and "softwood," and the other is based on the specific wood species, with hundreds of different types identified by name and material characteristics.

Difference Between Hardwood and Softwood

When we talk about solid wood, it's common to hear terms like hardwood and softwood. But here's the truth: these names can be pretty misleading!

Softwoods come from evergreen conifers, such as trees like pine, cypress, and fir. These are gymnosperms, meaning they don't produce flowers or fruits but instead have cones and needle-like leaves. While the term softwood might suggest they're always soft, that's not entirely true. For instance, cedar is quite soft, but southern yellow pine is surprisingly hard and strong. Softwoods are typically less dense than hardwoods and are widely used in construction, as well as in making paper and pulp products.

On the other hand, hardwoods come from deciduous trees or broad-leaved evergreens, which are angiosperms, meaning they bear flowers and fruits. Hardwoods are usually denser, stronger, and more durable than softwoods, which makes them ideal for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry. But again, not all hardwoods are hard! Balsa wood, for example, is technically a hardwood, but it's incredibly light and soft. Meanwhile, oak and hickory are among the hardest types of wood you'll find.

So, the takeaway? The terms hardwood and softwood are based on tree biology, not the actual hardness of the wood. It's a bit confusing, but generally speaking, most solid wood furniture you see, whether for indoor or outdoor use, is still made from hardwood because of its durability and beauty.

Six Common Types of Hardwood For Bed Frames

These six types of hardwood are quite popular in the market and are commonly used in making bed frames:

1. Rubberwood

Rubberwood, primarily grown in Southeast Asia, comes from the same trees used to produce natural rubber. After their latex-producing years are over, which is typically around ten years, the trees are harvested for their timber, making rubberwood an eco-friendly and economically valuable resource. This wood features a light yellowish-brown color and is known for its toughness and resistance to wear. Furniture made from rubberwood is not only durable but also less prone to cracking, with a typical lifespan of up to 20 years. Thanks to its reliability and affordability, rubberwood has become one of the most widely used solid wood materials, favored by many leading bed frame brands.

2. Oak Wood

Oak is one of the most popular and reliable choices for solid wood furniture, especially when it comes to bed frames. Most of the oak is located in the northeastern and eastern parts of the United States and southeastern Canada. It's a hardwood known for its strength, durability, and timeless grain pattern, but did you know that oak is generally categorized into red oak (scientific name: Quercus rubra) and white oak (scientific name: Quercus alba)? Both variations share many strengths: they're hard, wear-resistant, impact-resistant, and are highly durable.

White oak is more resistant to moisture and decay, which makes it better suited for the outdoors or environments with high humidity. However, because of this enhanced durability, it also tends to be more expensive. On the other hand, red oak is slightly more affordable and has a warmer, reddish hue in its grain, giving furniture a softer, more traditional feel. In short, both types of oak make excellent materials for solid wood beds, but if you are looking for greater corrosion resistance and don't mind spending a bit more, white oak is the premium pick.

3. Walnut

Walnut has long been cherished as a premium material for furniture, to the point that it was once favored by European royalty and earned the nickname "the aristocrat of hardwoods". Among its popular varieties are American walnut, English walnut, and Russian walnut, all beloved by woodworkers and furniture enthusiasts for their rich appearance and excellent performance. It's widely used, not just in fine furniture and flooring but also in high-end musical instruments. Its deep, elegant color and beautiful grain patterns give any piece a luxurious, timeless appeal. However, walnut's beauty is more than skin-deep; it's also durable and stable, for it is resistant to warping, shrinking, and cracking over time. Furthermore, maintenance is simple: a regular application of polish or linseed oil will help preserve its natural luster and color. With proper care, a high-quality walnut piece can last for around 20 years, even under direct sunlight. Plus, when kept indoors, it can truly stand the test of time, often becoming a treasured heirloom passed down through generations.

4. Cherry Wood

Cherry wood, often called "the jewel of the wood", is a fine-grained, strong hardwood known for its glossy, reddish-brown finish and elegant appearance. It's prized not just for its durability but also for its unique ability to deepen in color over time from a light golden pink to a rich, warm reddish brown. This natural aging process is most noticeable within the first six months of exposure to light and can continue for years. Cherry wood is often used for high-end furniture because of its beauty and value. Lower to mid-grade cherry wood, however, is commonly used in kitchen cabinets, flooring, and even utensils like bowls, spoons, and cutting boards.

5. Hard Maple

Hard maple features a sapwood that ranges from nearly white to creamy beige, sometimes with hints of red or blonde, while its heartwood tends to be a rich, dark reddish brown. One of its most recognizable grain patterns is bird's eye maple, which is prized for its distinctive look. Although rated as non-durable to perishable and vulnerable to insects, hard maple is still widely used, thanks to its strength and smooth finish. You'll find it in everything from the flooring of basketball courts, dance floors, and bowling alleys to cutting boards, musical instruments, baseball bats, and fine woodturning projects.

6. Teak

Teak, which is often called Burmese teak when referring to naturally grown varieties, is one of the most prized and recognized hardwoods in the world. Native teak, especially from Myanmar, can take over 100 years to mature, earning it the title of "the king of all trees." Known for its exceptional durability, teak offers superb stability, strength, and ease of processing. Most importantly, it boasts outstanding resistance to decay and termites, making it the gold standard for outdoor and marine use. With its unmatched performance and limited supply, teak is also one of the most expensive woods on the market.

Which Wood Offers the Best Value?

Each of the six types of wood above has its own strengths and is widely favored in the market. Still, when choosing a bed frame, you should also consider durability and value for money in addition to appearance. Next, we'll compare them based on the Janka hardness scale and their market prices.

1. How Is the Hardness of Wood Defined?

The Janka hardness scale measures how resistant a type of wood is to dents, scratches, and wear. It also provides a rough idea of how easy or hard the wood is to nails, screws, sanders, or saws. The test involves pressing a steel ball (0.444 inches or 11.28 mm in diameter) into the wood until it's embedded halfway. The force required, measured in pounds-force (lbf) or newtons (N), is the Janka rating. Unless stated otherwise, the wood tested has a moisture content of 12%.

2. Market Prices

According to international market data, Burmese teak and black walnut are among the most expensive types of wood. In contrast, rubberwood is highly affordable at just $0.58 per lbf. Maple and oak, ranking second and third in cost-effectiveness, are also great choices at only $1.09 and $1.23 per lbf, respectively, followed closely by cherry.

Types of Solid Wood Used in Furniture

In addition to the cost-effectiveness of wood, it's also important to consider the type of board used. Even in solid wood furniture, materials can be either sawn timber or solid wood panels, and among panels, there's a difference between edge-glued boards and finger-jointed boards. Each type varies significantly in terms of stability and performance.

1. Sawn Timber

Sawn timber refers to wood cut directly from logs without any width-wise splicing. As it's made from whole cuts of wood, furniture made from sawn timber tends to be more expensive. However, it comes with a major drawback—strong internal stress, which makes it prone to cracking. As a result, its applications are limited, and it's unsuitable for many types of furniture that require higher dimensional stability.

2. Edge-glued Boards

Large edge-glued boards are made by using full-length sawn timber in the lengthwise direction and joining multiple pieces together along the width. This method offers a key advantage: it helps control wood expansion and contraction. Since wood contains many internal pores that absorb moisture and can cause swelling, edge-gluing across the width significantly improves the board's overall stability.

3. Finger-jointed Boards

Finger-jointed boards are made by joining many small wood pieces together, both in width and length. For example, a single tabletop might consist of hundreds of tiny wood segments. These small pieces are usually leftover offcuts. The main advantages are low cost and good stability, but visually, they lack elegance and can look less premium.

If your budget is limited, finger-jointed boards will be affordable for your choice!

Conclusion

It's important to trust your judgment when choosing a bed frame. Considering the strengths and weaknesses of different types of wood, cost-effectiveness, and board construction, finger-jointed bed frames made from rubberwood stand out as leaders in both affordability and practicality. If your budget allows, you can also factor in consumer reviews and brand reputation to choose the most comfortable bed frame that suits your needs and offers the most value for money.

FAQ

1.What are the specific dimensions of FlexiSpot's Full, Queen, and King bed frames?

Full: 80"×59"× 14"; Clearance: 10"

Queen: 85''× 65' × 14"; Clearance: 10" H

King: 85"× 80"×14"; Clearance: 10" H

Our Classic Bed + Headboard has a height of 39" from the base of the legs to the top of the headboard.

What are the dimensions of a FlexiSpot pillowboard?

The pillowboard measures 60"×29"× 4'", but it is only available for the queen-sized bed frame.

What does the warranty cover?

FlexiSpot's lifetime warranty covers any breakage or defects in the wooden frame, including the slats. Any breakage must occur while the item is in normal bedroom use. The frame must be assembled correctly. We will repair or replace, at our discretion, damaged or defective items that are covered by this warranty.

Do I need a box spring?

We advise against it. The slats are perfectly spaced at just under 4" apart to hold up your mattress evenly while providing optimum support and breathability.

Can this bed frame be placed against the wall?

Our bed frame is designed with recessed legs to fit seamlessly against baseboards, allowing it to be placed against the wall while keeping the headboard stable.