Solid wood has a grain pattern. That grain pattern will absorb moisture, in the form of humidity. That absorption causes the wood to expand slightly. Different areas of grain density absorb moisture at varying rates and in different amounts. The outsides of a board have more area exposed to the atmosphere, so more moisture is absorbed than in the middle/center of the board. That is what causes cupping. That cupping is easily seen in older flooring as the edges absorb more moisture over time.

Plywood is made by alternating the grain patterns of wood---or by using a solid substance as the core. Furniture plywood is made with a higher stage of quality control to minimize voids and differences in thickness. The adhesives used also are much more impervious to moisture absorbtion---meaning the ply will be dimensionally more stable than solid wood glued edge to edge. Real food glueups for furniture also are glued by reversing the grain direction between mating pieces---that helps limit the wood movement.

Ply used in construction makes a more stable piece, for both dimensionally and movement.

And is less expensive.

Plywood for furniture is laminated with a thin layer of real wood to allow the construction of pieces that intermingle ply and solid wood.

Hello Jamin,I believe you answered your delima when you said ,"I am looking for a heirloom piece." By the vast majority's view,with only a few exceptions heirlooms are constructed of solid wood. Craftsmanship in construction plus species of wood makes all the difference. Labor accounts for most of the cost for high quility furniture. If one is speaking strictly of durability such as shipping containers,plywood excells. If I knew how you shop for clothing,if you use tools in your profession or if you were a firearm enthusist it would be much easier to explain. For any desirable shoe,belt,handbag or other leather good,there is a fake which not only lasts longer and is more resistant to water,costs a fraction of the real thing. Anyone in the market for a shiny new patent leather roping saddle???? Wealthy socialites might not be able to judge furniture without close inspection,but recconize imitation leather goods and clothing at a glance by candle light. A butcher would likly commit Harry Carry rather than try making a living useing Susy Homemaker's kitchen cuttlery. On the other hand a samurai would insist on harakiri being the only exceptical means of seppuku. Did you see that coming? Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder simply because those around them fail to see the object for what it actually is. Go to a real furniture store to buy a wood piece.

if you like Danish modern furniture, most of the vintage stuff was made from solid wood.

Sadly, most of the stuff found in "real furniture stores" is junk, and it takes some work and education to sort the OK from the not OK. If you really want a "heirloom piece" there are a few factories that make consistently excellent stuff, Eldred Wheeler and Thomas Moser come to mind. Most of what I would think of as heirloom quality furniture is now made by individual craftsmen and women (pretty much as it always has been), and, for better or worse, requires some time, energy and education on the part of the consumer to find those folks and understand what you are buying. Pieces will cost in the (sometimes many) thousands, not hundreds of dollars for excellent quality materials and workmanship, so if that's not what you had in mind it's time to re-set expectations. Unfortunately the more you learn the finer your distinctions will become and the less satisfied you will be with what you see at a furniture store. It is a lot of fun and (warning) can lead to a life of building it yourself to get what you really want.

Start looking at web sites and craft shows, get the Fine Woodworking design books from your library, go visit a local craftsperson who is building in the style you like. Also go to museums that have the styles you are interested in to see what the "real stuff" looks like. Armed with that knowledge you can look at factory furniture with a more educated eye and decide which compromises you are willing to make to get to a piece you can afford, perfection being seriously expensive!

@ klem1....exquisite explanation of the differences!!!

"Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder simply because those around them fail to see the object for what it actually is." Love it!

Aw-shucks ctnchpr,that's the secound time since more than 30 years anyone used a word like exquisite to describe my efforts. While visiting my shop to order a reproduction, a respected decorator opined my style as "simple but elegant". He went on to say it's difficult blending simple with elegant and I should embrace the style rather than joining the pack in persuit of old world masters. A few weeks later I recieved two dog eared books with margin notes along with a hand writen note that said "Simplicity is an exact medium between too little and too much."
- Sir Joshua Reynolds
Memory of the long deceased casual business aquaintance flashed clear as had it been last week. I can't help but wish we were all inspired so profoundly by one another.