Why Choose Our Shelves

Why Our Shelves are the Best "Value"

Wooden Shelves, they're all the same right? So if they're all the same, you can go ahead and buy the one that's cheapest and then you'll be getting the best "Value". 

Actually they aren't and that thinking is what a lot of the big brands/retailers are banking on you assuming. That would only be true if you judge value based on price alone.

A quick Google search and an abundance of adverts and sellers will come up all selling wooden shelves with descriptions/adverts/titles etc, that state that they are "solid wood" and they are not lying. However what you are getting is a soft wood like Pine, most of the time. Sometimes even worse, old scaffolding boards that have been sat in moisture, outside for years. These timbers are super cheap to buy, are easy to work with and easy to machine. Throw on a wax based walnut stain and hey presto, you've got yourself a "walnut shelf" WITH A BIG PROFIT MARGIN. 

A search for "walnut shelf" and you'll find a 1000mm x 150mm x 44mm "walnut shelf" with rustic brackets from a leading seller for £61. Pretty good price. But if you look into that advert, its actually a softwood shelf with a walnut stain as discussed above.

Another search will find a 1000mm x 150mm x 44mm solid walnut shelf made from real, solid walnut priced at £187, a pretty big difference for a walnut shelf!

So where do we sit, and why are we the "BEST VALUE". Our store has a solid walnut shelf, made from FSC certified American Black Walnut at 1000mm x 150mm x 45mm for £105. For a comparable shelf made from solid Walnut, we are almost half the price of our competitors, pretty good value wouldn't you say?

And how can we do it?

We are a small business, with small overheads and our goal is to offer beautiful products at a reasonable price, that's how.

So why is Hardwood better than Softwood?

Hardwoods are naturally more durable as they come from slow-growing, broad-leaved trees. This means the timber has a higher density than softwoods, which gives them enhanced durability and strength.

Because hardwoods will last longer than softwoods, they’re suitable for a large range of applications.

Maintenance

One main advantage of hardwood is it is very easy to maintain and clean.

Scratches or dents in hardwoods can easily be fixed by sanding, varnish and waxing to restore its beauty, rather than having to replace the damaged area.

Strength

We’ve already established how hardwoods are more durable because of the slow-growing trees, hence increased density.

Appearance

Hardwoods can be used with any type of style or décor because of the wide range of appearances they can bring and are available in a whole host of colours, depending on species chosen – from the lightly-coloured ash to the reddish-looking sapele.

Because of the natural patterns, no two hardwoods will be the same, providing you with a unique product – be it furniture or shelving.

For example, American Black Walnut is commonly used for internal joinery – such as kitchen surfaces – as it gives a beautiful marble-style finish. 

Cost

Hardwoods are generally more expensive – but you get what you pay for. If you opt for the cheaper, softer alternative it’s simply not going last, whereas hardwoods like walnut, oak and ash are extremely tough so they’ll be able to withstand the odd scratch and last for years to come.

Hardwood will last a lifetime – so just think of it as an investment that’ll outlive all of its flat-pack, softwood friends.

Summary

In contrast to softwoods, hardwoods are slow growing, which makes them less common and more expensive, yet they are unrivalled in strength and are far more visually pleasing.

That's why we are confident that our shelves are not just the best value but THE BEST OVERALL.