The Quality of Wood Used to Make La-Z-Boy Furniture

What Type of Wood is Used in La-Z-Boy Upholstered Furniture?

When most people think of La-Z-Boy, they picture plush recliners, sofas, loveseats, and sectionals. While the visible appeal comes from the cushions and fabric, the strength and longevity of these pieces depend on the precision-built wooden frame beneath.

“Construction is just as important as the materials, and it’s often what separates good from great furniture,” says Johnathan, a La-Z-Boy industry expert.

Wood Species and Engineered Materials Used:

• Kiln-Dried Maple: Maple is chosen for high-stress areas like seat frames because it’s exceptionally strong and holds screws and fasteners securely. The kiln-drying process removes excess moisture, reducing shrinkage and structural movement after assembly.
• La-Z-Boy Engineered OSB (Oriented Strand Board): Unlike standard OSB, this material is produced to La-Z-Boy’s proprietary specifications. It is highly uniform, free from knots and voids, and resists warping over time. It is often used in side panels, bottom rails, rear rails, and back rails.
• Hardwood Rubberwood Laminates: Used for arms and rocker blocks, rubberwood is denser and stronger than oak, providing superior resistance to pressure and impact.
• MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): Used in swivel bases for stability and precision shaping. Its density allows for accurate machining while maintaining strength.
• Plywood: Found in certain lift recliner frames, plywood offers balanced flexibility and support where the mechanism demands it.

*It is important to note that not all wood materials are used in every La-Z-Boy product, as materials vary depending on the model you choose. Additionally, certain wood types, such as MDF, may cause allergic reactions in rare cases. 

For accurate details about specific models and to address any potential concerns about materials or allergies, please consult with your La-Z-Boy sales consultant.

Construction Standards:

Every upholstered frame is built with corner blocks and reinforced joints for extra stability. The seat is assembled to the frame using screws and metal corner brackets, combining the holding strength of mechanical fasteners with engineered wood’s uniform surface.

Testing for Durability:

Before a frame ever reaches a showroom, it is subjected to a battery of stress tests, including horizontal and vertical arm pressure, rocker block retention, and backrest load trials. Frames are tested to support weights up to 300 pounds in motion without losing alignment or stability.

This is part of the Premier Construction methods at La-Z-Boy, which you can learn more about with this article.

What Type of Wood is Used in La-Z-Boy Casegoods, Bedroom & Dining Furniture?

La-Z-Boy’s casegoods collections come from four specialized brands: American Drew, Hammary, Kincaid, and Canadel. Each has a distinct design style and wood selection philosophy, but all share La-Z-Boy’s commitment to craftsmanship and durability.

American Drew

Materials:
American Drew uses an impressive variety of hardwoods including acacia, alder, ash, birch, cherry, maple, oak, pecan, and rubberwood. These species are often paired with premium veneers that highlight the natural grain patterns while providing flexibility in furniture design.

Craftsmanship:
Joinery techniques such as mortise & tenon create solid, interlocking joints that stand the test of time. Premium soft-close drawer glides provide smooth operation, while cedar-lined drawer bottoms protect stored items from moisture and insects. Built-in levellers ensure stability even on uneven flooring.

Attention to Detail:
Drawer interiors are fully finished, a sign of higher-end craftsmanship, protecting contents and adding visual refinement. Internal bracing, cleats, and corner blocks reinforce each piece from the inside out.

Hammary

Materials:
Hammary’s material palette includes oak, pine, maple, hickory, ash, and acacia, allowing for a wide range of styles from rustic farmhouse to modern minimalism.

Craftsmanship:
Hammary’s construction standards match American Drew’s, with sturdy joinery, kiln-dried components, and quality veneers for a consistent appearance. Pieces are designed for functional use in high-traffic rooms like living areas and home offices.

Design Signature:
The Hidden Treasures® collection is especially notable, one-of-a-kind accent pieces inspired by global furniture design, built with the same structural integrity as Hammary’s core lines.

Kincaid

Materials:
Kincaid focuses exclusively on solid wood construction, putting them in a rare category of less than 10% of US furniture makers who avoid composite materials entirely. Maple, cherry, oak, and other premium hardwoods are selected and graded to strict quality standards.

Craftsmanship:
English dovetail joints at both the front and back of drawers create a strong, precise fit. Floating panels in doors and bed headboards allow natural wood movement without splitting. Solid wood edges replace the more common veneer banding, ensuring durability in high-wear areas.

Structural Enhancements:
Heavy front posts provide added stability for large pieces, and fully floating tops adapt to seasonal humidity shifts, maintaining a stable surface for years.

Canadel Custom Dining

Materials:
Canadel’s dining furniture is crafted primarily from solid birch, sourced locally from North American forests. Birch is selected for its fine grain, strength, and ability to stain evenly. Each piece is hand-sanded and available in a wide range of finishes, including smooth matte, rustic distressed, and heritage styles.

Craftsmanship:
Every item is handcrafted in Quebec, with customization options that allow customers to mix and match table and leg finishes, upholstery styles, and even chair backs. Artisans maintain consistency across collections while allowing unique combinations through the Canadel Signature Program.

Quality Testing:
Canadel’s testing process is among the most rigorous in the industry. Dining chairs are subjected to rocking, weight-bearing, and impact trials; buffets undergo tip and door strength testing; and tables are pressure-tested on the base and corners. The result is a defect rate below 1%, a testament to the strength of their joinery and finish quality.

How to Tell If Wood Furniture is Good Quality?

When evaluating wood furniture, here are the non-negotiables…

Material

Hardwoods such as maple, oak, and cherry are considered the gold standard for furniture construction because of their natural density and resistance to dents, scratches, and daily wear.

Softwoods like pine are lighter and less expensive, but they are more prone to damage and require more maintenance over time. 

Engineered woods, such as OSB or MDF, have a role to play in structural stability, but they should complement, not entirely replace, solid hardwood components in quality furniture.

Drying Process

The way wood is dried significantly affects its stability. Kiln-dried lumber, which is reduced to a moisture content of about 6–8%, is far less likely to warp, crack, or shrink compared to air-dried wood. This process also helps eliminate pests and fungal spores, making kiln-dried components ideal for long-lasting furniture construction.

Joinery

The joints holding a piece together often reveal more about quality than the wood itself. Mortise & tenon joints interlock for exceptional strength, while dovetail joints in drawers create a tight, long-lasting fit. These techniques require skill and time, unlike staples or visible glue, which are signs of lower-quality mass production.

Sanding & Finishing

A high-quality piece should have a surface that feels smooth to the touch, with no rough patches, splinters, or uneven edges. The stain or paint should enhance the natural grain of the wood, not hide it. Consistent colour across the entire surface, without blotches, streaks, or cloudy finishes, is another hallmark of careful craftsmanship.

Fit & Function

Quality furniture is as much about performance as it is about looks. Drawers should glide open and close without sticking or wobbling, and cabinet doors should align neatly and swing smoothly. The piece should sit level on the floor without rocking, which indicates that it’s been properly squared and balanced during assembly.

FAQs About Wood Quality

Is La-Z-Boy furniture made with solid wood?
Yes. Certain collections, especially Kincaid and Canadel, use only solid wood. Upholstered frames use a calculated mix of hardwood and engineered wood for targeted strength and flexibility.

Why does La-Z-Boy use engineered wood in upholstered frames?
Engineered wood like OSB and MDF offers predictable strength, resists warping, and allows for precision machining, making it ideal for structural frame components.

What’s the benefit of kiln-dried wood?
By removing excess moisture, kiln drying prevents wood from expanding, contracting, or developing mould, ensuring your furniture maintains its shape and integrity for decades.

What's Next?

With this descriptive information at hand, you can now rest assured knowing that the quality of wood used in La-Z-Boy furniture is top-notch!

Whether you are looking for a comfy sofa or an elegant dining room table, La-Z-Boy offers quality wood materials and construction that you can count on. 

That being said, why not start shopping today? Visit us at a local Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston La-Z-Boy showroom or plan ahead by scheduling your visit online. If you prefer to shop from the comfort of your own home, we also offer virtual design appointments.

As you browse our vast product selection, you may consider taking advantage of our complimentary interior design services. Our talented interior designers can help you find the ideal pieces for your space and comfort preferences while seamlessly coordinating with your current decor and furniture arrangement.

To learn more about La-Z-Boy Living Room Furniture, take a look at our comprehensive Living Room Furniture Buyer’s Guide.

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