Frame Construction of Club Chairs

Though you may never see the wood frame under your club chair, it is an important element of it.

The main types of wood for a club chair frame are hardwood, softwood, or hard and soft plywood. Hardwood is the strongest of these, and is the best for joinery that uses dowels and pegs. Typical hardwoods are oak, maple, and alder. These wood types exhibit the tight graining that will securely hold club chair joinery in place over time.

Kiln-Drying
Kiln-drying of the wood makes it better suited for club chair frames. Using industrial ovens to dry wood used in furniture construction yields many benefits. Excess sap and moisture is evaporated during the process and makes the wood under the club chair less prone to warping. This process also makes the wood more repellent against moisture that can cause swelling in the fibers and loosen the joints. Kiln-dried wood will hold its shape longer and makes the leather club chair able to hold its shape over time. It also aids in the rigidity of the wood.

Rigidity
A rigid frame sets the standard for the quality of the upholstered club chair. The frame is reinforced when quality joinery is used, too. The joinery refers to where the wood pieces connect and the method of connection used. No matter what style of joinery is used, in a quality club chair you will see blocks of wood or dowels reinforcing the joints. Blocks provide a lateral support for the joint. Doweling is where one or two pegs from one piece fit into holes on the other piece. Doweling is usually reinforced with glue and blocks to insure a strong joint.