What Kind of Material Should I Choose for My Computer Desk?

Wood Desks

A wood desk can be made from real wood, engineered woods or a combination of an engineered wood and wood veneers.

A real wood desk can be produced from varying grades of timber. Timber is the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as furniture. Hardwoods are woods from trees that lose their leaves in autumn, such as oak, walnut and maple. Softwoods are woods from trees that do not shed their leaves, like pines or cedars. The terms "hardwood" and "softwood" do not refer to the actual strength the wood.

Engineered woods are made by gluing multiple wood fibers together using heat and pressure. The two most common types of engineered woods are particle board and medium density fiberboard or MDF. Particle board, especially without a laminate finish, is not as strong as MDF and can fall apart if moved around from place to place on a regular basis. When selecting an L-shape or U-shape desk, choose one made of MDF or a mix of particle board and MDF. Medium density fiberboard is more affordable than solid wood, but just as strong and durable. When finished with laminates or veneers, MDF can look and feel like real wood; because it has no grain, it can be easily cut, drilled or nailed without marring its surface.

A desk that has a veneer surface or finish is usually made of an engineered wood product to which the veneer has been applied. Wood veneers are produced by adhering thin slices of real wood to the piece of furniture using glue and heat. It is the simplest way of giving a desk the texture and appearance of genuine woods, while keeping costs down.

Laminate Desks

Laminates are produced by pressing layers of materials like wood and plastic together, and then sealing the surface with a thermosetting resin. The sheet of laminate is then applied to panels of engineered woods such as plywood, particle board or MDF. Laminates are commonly used for home office and office furniture because they are strong, durable and easy to care for. Laminates don’t fade and have no grain that can cause variations from one item of furniture to another, so it will be easier to match any additional pieces that you might add to your standard desk.

Metal Desks

Metals are a popular material for desks, especially in government offices and educational institutions, because of their strength and durability. Alloys refer to metals made by combining two or more elements and are stronger than pure metals. Most metal furniture is made of an alloy. Aluminum and chrome are often used to add metal accents to desks made of wood or glass.

Glass Desks

Glass desks generally have a glass work surface with a wood or metal frame. They have clean lines and especially when made of metal, can have an ultra-modern, streamlined look. If a glass desk appeals to you, remember to select one with tempered or saftey glass, which makes it stroner and safer to use.