CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
Construction
Zocalo designers combine traditional artesian craftsmanship with state-of-the-art materials and design techniques, creating pieces that are not only beautiful, but are also resilient to the everyday wear and tear of the modern American lifestyle.
Many points of construction quality that one should look for in handcrafted furniture are featured in Zocalo products. These features include:
- Kiln-dried woods to avoid splitting and warping
- Dovetail construction for overall strength of the piece
- Corner blocks on the underside of chairs and occasional tables for stability
- Smooth, multi-step, finishes to assure a long-lasting wood patina
- Wood-on-wood drawer glides or high quality three-stage ball bearing glides for smooth drawer operation
Solids and Veneers
Zocalo offers collections that feature solid hardwood construction and collections that utilize high quality veneers with a combination of solid hardwoods. There are benefits to both techniques and the educated consumer can decide which better suits their needs.
Solid wood furniture offers some design possibilities not available with veneers. These are generally style points and their value depends on personal taste. Intricate designs can be carved into solid wood to create unique characteristics and artistic detail.
Many people mistakenly assume that veneered furniture is inferior to solid wood furniture; however, veneers are often used by the finest furniture manufacturers, and can be more costly than solid wood. Veneers offer greater stability and the possibility of creating more unique patterns than some solid hardwoods.
A solid hardwood Zocalo piece is constructed from plantation grown kiln-dried hardwood. Plantation growing assures the customer that all wood used in the construction of Zocalo pieces was grown in a controlled area, exclusively for furniture manufacturing. No rainforests or natural groves are touched in the construction of our furniture. Kiln-drying involves heating raw wood in giant ovens to remove excess moisture. After moisture is removed, the raw wood can then be made into furniture with a much lower risk of splitting even in areas with varying climates.
A Zocalo piece that utilizes veneers is constructed by incorporating a strong frame of solid hardwood with thin layers of wood chosen for their beauty that are bonded to plywood. The stable layer under the veneer is extremely resistant to climate changes. This prevents any warping and splitting that may occur when solid wood expands and contracts from humidity changes. |
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