loulou57 wrote:
One thing that really irritates me is the term "solid wood" that is used not only in the RV business but in new houses.
So many are told, yes these are all solid oak or whatever type wood cabinets and trim.
If you really know how to check this you would be surprised to find you are not getting what you may think you are.
A lot of cabinets are built with particle board or light plywood, even a thin wallboard with a wood veneer laminate covering. They will have solid wood door frames but the centre will be a laminated wood product.
The wooden valance that goes on the slide, over a long section, in some units looks and feels like a nice piece of wood. Some are covered with a laminated product that if you look or feel behind you can see.
If you are told you have solid wood really look at it. Look to see if the woodgrain on panels match the bottom of the piece. If there is woodgrain going in the wrong direction you have a laminated product with edging. Check your doors carefully.
In one way being told something is a solid wood product but actually is a wood laminate is not a total lie. The veneer laminate is a paper thin piece of wood. Even edging is a wood.
Not all of the RV's are like this. A lot are. I would put money down that a lot of woodworking in RV's is not what people think it is.
I understand the reason. Keeping weight down as well as cost.
If you want lightweight in either the RV or pocketbook you will not get solid wood anywhere other than the door frames.
There is nothing wrong with cabinets and trim not being solid wood, if done properly most people would not know the difference. However, if someone asks, are the cabinets and trim all solid wood, explain if they are not.
We know what we bought. We are also lucky that hubby is a carpenter and can easily change things that bother us. Change them to look a lot nicer at a much cheaper cost than factory installed.
Just my opinion on two words that perk up my ears!
No wonder salesman get disheartened when they see me going over a unit, running my finger along things to make sure wood has been sanded, edging put on with enough heat that it sticks, inside panels on cabinets inserted and laminated properly so that the woodgrain matches the wooden frames.
Check anything, tables and counter tops, that is laminated with a formica like product, to see if the edges have been filed. If not, they will be very sharp and can easily cut a finger.
I will stop now, quality control is one of my quirks, LOL
