Beech wood. Hard and flexible at the same time

Beech wood is the wood of various species of the beech genus (Fagus). Industrially, however, it is mainly the red beech (Fagus sylvatica) that is used, which owes its name to the slightly reddish shimmer of its wood. European beech can grow to a considerable size, and its crown is no less imposing. It grows in Europe, Asia and North America in the northern temperate climate zone and is one of the most common deciduous trees in Germany. Since beech wood is a native wood, it has a very good environmental balance.

Hard yet flexible—that was beech wood, which Michael Thonet used in the 1830s to successfully craft furniture using the bentwood technique, that is, bending solid wood under the influence of steam. Since then, beech wood—which had previously been used primarily as fuel—has become an important raw material for the furniture industry. Due to its many other advantages, it is used in our products—including furniture, toys, and kitchen and household appliances:

• Beech wood is extremely hard, making it exceptionally robust and durable. For this reason, it is the preferred choice for furniture subjected to heavy use.
• This wood, which is naturally elastic and flexible, is ideally suited for the bentwood technique, which allows the wood to be bent into almost any shape.
• Since beech wood is heavy and resilient, it has remarkable load-bearing capacity and is therefore very durable.
• Thanks to its even surface texture, it can be easily treated with oil, wax, and varnish for care and protection.
• Beech wood has a light color that may exhibit slight yellowish or reddish hues. Solid beech wood furniture can therefore be easily painted in any color.
• In addition, beech wood contributes to a healthy indoor climate, as it can absorb moisture and release it back into the room when humidity is low.
• Beech wood burns slowly and evenly, making it ideal for heating and grilling. And since it contains no resin, it produces very few flying sparks.