Better selection and utilization of materials is a crucial aspect of quality. The time put into this care increases customer retention, reduces returns and improves inventory turns due to lower defects.
Products are crafted using time honored techniques such as mortise and tenon joinery, floating panels and tops, hand turned components and legs, dovetailed drawers, Dutchman patches and butterfly joints.
Customers are inspired by HTD's trademark quality and revolutionary designs. Knowing they purchased sustainably build product that lasts a lifetime, customers keep coming back for more.
Along with great presence in the field, HTD also supports their customers and reps alike through our Quality Assurance & Customer Care Specialist and our Regional Account Managers
Knots are natural imperfections in the wood where tree branches were enclosed within the trunk. Since HTD furniture is made from the entire tree, knots of varying sizes and shapes will be present. Small cracks may appear within the knot. These small cracks do not affect the structural integrity of the furniture and are not considered defects.
Checks are hairline cracks in the wood caused by natural tree movement from the wind and natural elements. This checking is inherent in the tropical hardwoods used by HTD, and do not constitute a defect. Variations in climate, environment, and other factors such as air conditioning, heaters, sunlight, etc. may cause these cracks to open and close over time, which is unavoidable and not considered a defect. Some touch ups with a stain marker may be necessary.
Since HTD uses the entire tree to construct its’ furniture, some knots and/or wind cracks may require the use of filler. HTD only uses the highest quality epoxy-based filler which is durable and will last the lifetime of the furniture. Care is taken to blend the coloration as close as possible, but filler may be noticeable, which is not considered a defect. By using filler it prevents us from having to waste any part of the wood in the crafting process making it Eco-friendly.
The presence of natural minerals such as iron, phosphate, calcium, etc. in the soil where the tree lived often causes variations in the wood grain. These may appear as rings, circles, lines, or shades either darker or lighter than the regular grain of the wood. These factors are unavoidable and not considered defects.
The tropical hardwood species used by HTD in its’ solid hardwood furniture has extreme grain and color variations. These variations are truly a key element in the beauty of the product, and make each piece of furniture a unique work of art. As such, these variations are unavoidable and not con-sidered defects.
Seasonal cracks and splits may open from time to time, but are considered normal in solid tropical hardwood furniture. In most cases, the opening of natural cracks is a result of changes in environment such as humidity, sunlight, etc. These cracks are a natural part of the wood, caused by tree movement from the wind and natural forces. As long as the crack is not excessive (greater than 3-4” in length) it will not affect the structural integrity of the furniture and is therefore not considered a defect.
One of the oldest forms of furniture construction, mortise and tenon joinery dates back hundreds of years. Originally used to construct panels, tabletops, beds, etc., this technique was used in eras beforethe advent of glues and other methods of construction. Mortise and tenons create extremely strong structural integrity, because the wood is interlocking. This serves as the primary method of construction used by HTD in most of its furniture.
Within the frame, held together with mortise and tenons, wood panels are inserted along a tongue and groove, which allow for the natural movement of solid wood. This is an essential element of constructing heirloom furniture, because solid wood panels must have room to breathe. The panel “floats” within the frame structure (no glue or nails are used) which prevents cracking.
A key element of the beauty and structural integrity of HTD solid wood furniture is it's handmade nature. Instead of using machines to turn wood components on a lathe, each individual component is handcarved on the turning machine. Similarly, each component is sanded by hand before removing from the lathe, as seen in the picture here. This creates an amazing beauty in the turned components.
Constructing furniture using solid hardwoods requires a high degree of technical accuracy and craftsmanship. Solid wood components must be allowed to expand and contract in order to prevent cracking and ensure structural integrity. One of the key methods of construction, to allow the natural movement, is using metal clips to attach tabletops and other panels. These clips have slots which allow for the natural movement of the wood.
Often in reclaimed wood, there is the necessity to patch portions of the raw material that were used previously in old buildings, furniture, etc. When a dutchman patch is used care is taken to match grains and coloration as close as possible. Butterfy joints are used in solid wood to strengthen panels and other components where cracks may be present. In addition to adding to the heirloom quality of the product, both add beauty and uniqueness to each piece.
An heirloom technique used over the centuries, dovetailing involves cutting interlocking grooves into the drawerfront and side panel which ensures long lasting durability even with daily use. Drawers also feature either wood glides (pictured), or metal glides with drawer stops for ease of use and safety. Drawers are constructed entirely of solid wood.
