Five Cons of Oak Writing Desks

While taking nothing away from the many benefits of oak the shopper should be aware of five cons of oak writing desks. While oak is still a good choice for desks and furniture it might not be the best choice for the following reasons.

Even today, oak is expensive. It offers durability and quality and this is reflected in it’s hefty price tag. Budget shoppers might be better off looking for more modern material desks such as particle board or steel for a better value with equal durability.

If the hefty price tag isn’t the issue, consider then the heft of the oak writing desk. Oak is very dense and heavy wood. If the desk is solid wood it’s likely that it is preassembled and cannot be broken down smaller. This causes the issue of transport. Desks with some assembly required can be broken down and moved by one person. Oak writing desks generally require some assistance especially if they need to be moved often. Thus, they do not make a good choice for dorm furniture.

Aesthetically speaking oak isn’t necessarily the first choice for desks anymore. While oak was used traditionally, other woods such as pine, maple, walnut, cherry or mahogany have emerged on the market to offer more elegant options. Cherry offers more warmth and a softer finish to furniture than oak does.

Oak might not be a good choice for a writing desk either if the rest of the furniture in the room has a modern or contemporary feel. Oak has a very pronounced grain and this can stand out in sharp contrast to other synthetic veneers and finishes, be it chairs, flooring or countertop. If you do choose oak, make sure an oak writing desk will accentuate the other pieces in the room instead of presenting a mismatch.

Buyer beware also of fraudulent product whether intentional or unintentional. Some cheaper desks may have an oak finish which is simply an oak veneer, which is generally 1/8th of an inch thick. This is more prone to cracking, peeling, and producing an uneven writing surface. In whatever style of desk you choose be an informed shopper, and by all means go with oak if the advantages outweigh these five cons of oak writing desks.