Birch is a universal wood with a wide range of applications.

Birch wood: properties and applications

Birch wood looks very beautiful, as it has a uniform structure. Resins are present in this material, but in small quantities. The range of applications includes the following areas:

• Internal finishing work, due to optimal strength characteristics and the possibility of imitation for a wide range of valuable wood species.
• Manufacturing furniture that not only looks presentable but also has good performance, special energy, and healing properties.
• Due to the pliability of the material and ease of processing with both electric and hand tools, a huge number of crafts, household items, and decorative ornaments are made from birch wood. Toys, coasters, cutting boards, boxes, spoons and other utensils, combs, trays, vases, picture frames, mirrors, photos, mini-figurines, candy bowls, food containers, souvenirs - this is just a small list of what can be made from birch wood wood, taking into account its properties.
• With the help of birch material that is correctly selected in terms of appearance and characteristics, you can decorate the interior in an aesthetically interesting and practical way, complementing it with shelves and carved openwork flower stands.
• Not only solid wood, but also chipboard materials based on birch wood are popular. They are used for finishing walls inside residential and commercial premises, for the construction of partitions, and remodeling.
• Birch flooring will be no less high quality, and it can be either plank flooring or valuable and elegant parquet.
• Birch is convenient as a base for crafts of various sizes because it does not split when cut. For this reason, craftsmen who engage in decorative wood carving choose birch wood as the base material.
• Musical instruments, hunting rifle stocks, barrels for storing food and much more - for all these purposes and in all imaginable directions, the properties of birch turn out to be suitable according to all criteria.
• Birch firewood is also highly valued for bathhouses and private residential buildings (used in fireplaces, boilers, stoves, and on braziers when cooking kebabs) due to its optimal thermal efficiency values ​​and low cost.

One of the important physical properties of wood is its smell.

Experienced craftsmen easily determine the quality of wood and attribute it to a particular type of wood just by smell alone.

Not only can you determine the type of wood by smell, but you can also judge the quality of the wood by smell. As an example: pine wood, if it has lesions in the form of fungi or rot, acquires vanilla-sweet notes in its aroma.

Cutting down a pine tree

Some types of wood have a persistent, pungent, and for some people, unpleasant odor. Also, there is wood that does not smell after drying, but when exposed to heat it begins to smell again. And there are breeds that have no odor to the human sense of smell, both after drying and when exposed to heat. Knowing these nuances, you can choose a material that will not cause discomfort when using it.

Lumber

Performance characteristics of birch wood

If we consider in detail why birch wood is so valuable, what properties are inherent in it, it makes sense to highlight the following characteristics:

• Optimal strength, resistance to deformation and splitting during processing.
• Long service life, since wood is not particularly susceptible to rotting.
• Pleasant light shade, represented by a wide range of halftones. Using stain or other special paints and materials, you can change the color of the wood at your discretion. As a result, the natural beauty of the manufactured items will attract attention and create accents in the interior.
• It does not have a pronounced odor, the delicate aroma does not cause allergies and does not have an adverse effect on humans, animals, or plants.
• The material has a relatively average density, so cutting and calibrating parts, for example, when making handicrafts or furniture from birch, can be done manually, without the use of industrial equipment.
• A valuable chemical composition, which determines the widespread use of sap, leaves, birch bark, buds and other parts of the tree in folk medicine.

Which beds: pine or birch, is it better to choose?

When it comes to making bedroom furniture, both materials are in great demand. Both pine and birch perform their functions well in this room and have a beneficial effect on the overall atmosphere.

Pine bedroom furniture has a pleasant appearance and calms the nervous system of its owners. In addition, it is able to withstand heavy loads and not deform. Also, pine is completely safe for allergy sufferers and is well suited for installation in a nursery.

Birch, in turn, is the most environmentally friendly material. It is resistant to mechanical damage, so it can stand in a nursery without losing its presentable appearance. Birch will be a good choice for those who value beauty, durability and environmental friendliness.

Types of birch lumber

The most valuable is solid birch, since it is a solid material, harvested only by drying, cutting, sizing boards directly from the core of the tree. But in the manufacture of furniture and other areas, not only solid wood is used, but also:

• peeled veneer;
• plywood;
• sliced ​​veneer.

The advantage of birch is that it can be given absolutely any appearance, because it is easily sanded, polished, and painted. If you pre-steam the raw materials, the workpiece can be given any curved shape, which is beneficial in the manufacture of interior items and other structures where bends are planned.

Features and disadvantages of birch material

Birch is a heavy type of wood, but compared to oak it is still considered softer and more pliable. It is difficult to split, but it tolerates processing well. In this regard, we can say with complete confidence that this wood was undeservedly forgotten by some craftsmen. In the modern world, birch lumber is again gaining popularity and is being used more and more often. Now such a board has again begun to be rated quite highly.

Birch lumber is only slightly inferior in strength to oak

Lumber should not be used to build country houses or steam rooms. With frequent exposure to moisture and unfavorable environmental conditions, the durability of birch boards is reduced to a minimum. Birch is a highly drying species, and if improperly processed, its structure becomes too deformed. Lumber is subject to the negative influence of humidity, when exposed to it, rotting processes begin to actively occur.

So, the relatively affordable cost of birch lumber is explained by the prevalence of this tree. The environmental friendliness of the material is excellent, it has a unique texture, good durability, subject to operating conditions. All these qualities increase the demand for birch lumber in Russia and abroad.

The healing properties of birch

The word “birch” itself comes from the word “to protect”, and this name was not given to this tree by chance. It has long been believed that it is the birch tree that protects from adversity and various dangers.

As a remedy it is used as:

• diuretic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• expectorant;
• choleretic;
• diaphoretic.

Having understood all the characteristics and properties of birch wood, you can safely choose this material when choosing furniture for your home. You will find a wide range of items for various purposes in the catalog of the Ecofurniture Bio online store, where you will be pleased not only with the design, quality of the models, but also with their price.

Living room furniture made of solid pine or birch

The living room is one of the main rooms in any home. It should be cozy and comfortable. That is why the choice of furniture for the living room should be approached especially carefully.

Both materials perform their functions perfectly and are completely suitable for installation in the living room. Birch can add aristocracy and noble shades to the interior. Pine will fit perfectly into a cozy interior with darker tones.

However, do not forget that wooden furniture visually takes up a lot of space. Therefore, dark interior items should be installed in large, spacious rooms and studio apartments.

Differences between birch lumber, which explains the demand for them, features of use

Most often, birch lumber is used in the furniture industry; they are also used for interior decoration. Thanks to the attractive appearance of wood and its fairly good strength and at the same time lightness, it is a good building material for furniture sets. At a certain level of steaming, wood bends well.

Birch lumber

Technical parameters of birch

Birch lumber is supplied as edged boards with a natural moisture content. It is made from freshly harvested wood. From April to August, lumber is produced within 2 weeks from the date of harvesting. If stored for too long, it is necessary to treat the wood with antiseptics to prevent fungal damage.

The following are allowed in birch lumber:

• natural defects - knots, eyes, sprouts, mineral inclusions, core, etc.;
• wane – end: depth 5 mm, width 10 mm, length 100 mm, edge – depth 3 mm, length 300 mm, width 10 mm, the wane must be cleared of bark;
• lack of parallelism of edges within 1% of the total length of the board;
• healthy false kernel - no signs of rotting, cracks or minimal signs of fungal infections.

It is not allowed for mold, rot, fungus, or traces of bark beetles to be present on the wood.

Distinctive features of the birch tree

The structure of the array is noticeably strengthened thanks to proper processing and special drying. Wood is characterized by antimicrobial qualities, which make it possible to produce various pieces of furniture.

The smooth texture and its pleasant natural shade allow you not to paint the array, but only to cover it with a layer of protection. Sometimes the wood is whitened to emphasize the originality of the structure. When painted, birch imitates different types of wood.

Karelian birch is often used for the production of luxury furniture. A bed made of such material can last more than 30 years, and a set even longer. The service life of other types of birch wood is approximately 10 – 12 years.

Cost and characteristics of edged boards

Edged boards remain the most common material on the modern construction market. It is easy to process and responds well to finishing. When steamed, wood can bend. Edged boards are characterized by the following qualities:

• great strength;
• light tone, making it easy to give the wood any desired shade;
• resistance to decay and negative environmental influences.

Birch boards require a long drying time during production - at least 10 days, the average period is more than 3 weeks. During this period, a humidity of 12% is achieved. Expensive flooring and premium furniture are made from Karelian birch boards.

The material is recommended for use on the upper part of the heated floor. Even after thorough drying, there is still a risk of shrinkage and deformation due to high humidity in the room.

Application of birch boards

It is best to use lumber in the furniture industry, for the manufacture of various decorative elements, which will subsequently be used indoors.

Birch, like oak, is considered a very hard wood, but at the same time it lends itself well to any processing. Luxury furniture, as a rule, is very often made from birch.

Wood is not recommended for outdoor structures, fencing or any outdoor decorative elements. Wood absorbs moisture well and dries very slowly. This contributes to rapid deterioration of lumber, causing rotting, warping and cracking. In this regard, for exterior decoration, preference should be given to coniferous species, which, compared to birch, are more resistant to moisture and are characterized by resin content.

Birch wood furniture

It is not recommended to build baths, saunas, gazebos, and verandas from such wood. But when using it for interior decoration, the result will be excellent.

The structure of wood and its aesthetic qualities make it possible to recreate interiors that are unique in their beauty and uniqueness, which will delight their owners for many years. Birch is almost as hard as oak, but its price is several times less than solid oak or beech.

Varieties

Birch is used to create many furniture sets and other decorative elements. It is often used to decorate the following rooms:

• bedrooms;
• living rooms;
• offices;
• kitchens;
• children's

In addition to beds, wardrobes, chests of drawers, dressing tables and bedside tables are made from birch. It is also worth decorating the room with a mirror in a beautiful carved frame. The tactile properties and color are great for cabinets and sideboards in bright living rooms.

Due to the fact that the texture of the solid wood, coated with varnish, is similar to marble, work tables made of Karelian birch for offices are in great demand. To achieve the greatest beauty and aesthetics, carved lacquered legs are attached to them. Furniture made from birch is a rather non-standard solution for the kitchen. Due to the fact that the material does not react well to moisture, the products must be positioned so that water does not drip on them. Dining tables with chairs and benches made from birch look especially original.

Any furniture for a nursery should be properly polished so that no piece of furniture can cause a splinter in children. Birch beds have a positive effect on the child’s condition, as the tree has antibacterial and antiallergic properties. Whitewashed furniture made from this material looks especially festive and makes the room bright and spacious.

Bedroom

Living room

Cabinet

Kitchen

Children's