What kind of materials are used in construction?
All of the pine used in our solid-wood furniture is plantation grown in Brazil to protect the rainforests from further decimation. Brazil is a world leader in quality pine furniture and our plantation-grown Elliotis Pine has a lovely finish and lasting quality.
Do you use solid wood for all of your furniture?
The Discovery, Ginger and Shaker products are all 100% solid wood. Our products with colored finishes (dollhouse loft, black & white furniture) are made of MDF.
MDF is a very dense type of wood made from very small, fiber-like particles. You can see from the pictures above that particleboard has very large particles, much larger than the particles in MDF. MDF is a much higher quality wood.
These pictures are of equal magnification
|
M.D.F. (Medium Density Fiberboard)
|
Particleboard
 |
Are there any veneers used in your products?
There is some usage of veneers in our solid-wood furniture, and this is a good thing. All of our veneers are SOLID WOOD CORE veneers (absolutely no particle board), and actually cost more than regular wood. They are used in applications that are prone to splitting such as a top or side. Visually there is no difference but structurally the veneer is superior.
Where can I go to see the product in person?
If you live in the Orlando Florida area, you can call us at 407-532-2546 to make arrangements to visit the manufacturer's warehouse. They only sell wholesale, so their showroom is set up with furniture retailers in mind, not the end-use customer, but they do have a small sampling of the furniture set up on display.
What the heck is the Discovery Cinnamon Finish?
The cinnamon finish is a close match to MinWax brand Colonial Maple. Min-Wax can be found at any Home Depot and most hardware stores. It is by far our most popular color.
Please describe the finishes you use.
Discovery - This is a dry oil finish. The beauty about this finish is that you can touch-up the product simply by applying a little stain and have it look brand new. This is why it is perfect for kids. If you desire it can easily be made semi-glossy by applying tung oil (found in any hardware store). This can be applied with a rag or sponge and can be done after the product is set-up. A normal bed would take about 15-30 minutes to apply! It really brings out the natural beauty of the woods and puts a nice sheen on it. [Comments from one of our customers: I found shellac easier to apply than tung oil, much faster drying, and it doesn't stink up your house for 2 weeks. Just vent while you're applying and for another 2 hours and you're good to go.
The first bed I finished in Formby's tung oil, and was ready to go in six days.
The second bed I finished in Bulls Eye shellac and it was ready to go the night I got the bed. - Philip]
Shaker - This finish is a 3 step process - first it is stained with an oil based product, second it is sealed, and finally it is coated with a polyurethane lacquer. This is a gloss smooth finish that is somewhat of a light golden color.
Ginger - Similar to the Discovery in that it is a dry oil finish, the only difference is that the color of the Ginger finish is lighter. If you go to your local produce section and find a whole ginger root, that is a very close approximation to the color that this furniture will be.
There are 3 differences between the Discovery, Ginger and Shaker styles.
- color: see above for finish descriptions
- drawers: Discovery & Ginger use inset hand pulls ~ Shaker has knobs
- finish: Discovery & Ginger do not have a polyurethane finish ~ Shaker has a polyurethane finish
What does ASTM certified mean?
At Bunk Beds & Loft Beds, safety is one of our most important issues. That is why we only deal with manufacturers who meet or exceed all of the current ASTM standards for bunk bed safety. The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards for bunk/loft bed safety include:
- Guard rails must be placed on both sides of the top bunk, and the back guard rail must go the entire length of the bed.
- Openings in the bunk bed must be small enough (less than 3") so that a child's torso cannot pass through. or large enough so that both the child's torso and head can pass through.
- Bunk beds must be able to accommodate at least 400 pounds of pressure.
- Bolts are firmly secured and anchored through posts.
- Ladders are securely fastened.
For additional information about safety, please contact us, or you may also get information from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Their website is http://www.cpsc.gov.
What makes your beds so special?
Unlike cheaper beds that use inferior woods such as yellow pine and spruce, our wood beds are high quality furniture, made from premium Elliotis Pine. All of our beds, unless otherwise indicated, are solid wood; no particleboard or osb board are used in any of our bunk beds. Using only premium Elliotis Pine does make a difference in appearance, strength, and durability. In addition, all of our wood beds feature rounded-over edges, and have metal to metal connection between the beds' structural elements. This means that these beds can be disassembled and assembled literally hundreds of times without compromising the integrity of the product.
What are slat rolls and bunky boards?
When shopping for bunk beds, you may come across these terms and wonder the difference. All of our beds come with a slat roll system, which serves as the mattress foundation. A slat roll consists of a number of boards, usually about three inches wide, that go across the bed to hold up the mattress. Our slat systems contain 13 slats. Bunk beds also can use a bunky board. A bunky board is an upholstered board that normally looks like a flat box spring, and serves the same purpose as a slat roll: the mattress support. Both slat systems and bunky boards are required to meet the ASTM standards for bunk beds, which is to withstand a minimum of 400 pounds of pressure. Although both slat systems and bunky boards serve the same purpose, there is a bit of an advantage with the slats; superior strength. IMPORTANT: When buying from us, the slat roll is included in your purchase, so you do not need to buy a mattress foundation separately.
Are the products easy to assemble?
It is typical of our products to require at least some assembly. Since most of our products are assembled by the customer, our products are designed with the idea of making assembly as easy as possible. Key structural elements, such as headboards, will arrive pre-assembled. Detailed instructions will be included, along with a complete set of hardware. Most of our beds use a hex wrench for assembly, which is included. Typically, the only tool required that we do not provide is a screwdriver. Most of our bunk beds take about 30 minutes to one hour to assemble, the Loft Beds are a bit more complex and can take two and a half hours for assembly, and it is much easier if two people are involved. MOST of our case goods, such as dressers, chests and nightstands are FULLY ASSEMBLED, the toy box and bookshelves do require assembly. Visit the Drew's Tips page for more information regarding assembly.
