Toy Chest Materials

Which is the right choice of toy chest materials?

Toy chests are a classic way to store and organize all your child's toys, book, and games. The wide range of toy chest materials provides a dazzling selection of styles. Whether you're looking for a traditional wooden toy chest like the one you had growing up or something a little more funky and modern like a plastic toy chest, you're sure to find one that fits your tastes and your child's bedroom perfectly.

Many options

Children's toy chests and storage bins can be made of many different materials. Plastic toy chests may come in bright, funky colors and durable designs suitable for playrooms and rec rooms. Metal toy chests can be made to look like sports lockers or dad's tool chest and a toy chest made from a wooden frame with canvas sides is a lightweight and safe option. Wood toy chests, however, remain the most popular choice.

Wood toy chests

Available in many shapes, sizes, and styles, wooden toy chests are favored by customers looking for good looks and lasting construction. Styles may range from a basic oak toy chest that will be sturdy and solid for many years to more decorative, hand painted toy chests that look great in any room of the house, not just your child's playroom. 

Solid vs. veneer toy chest construction

When considering wood toy chests, the argument of solid vs. veneer construction invariably comes up. Outdated information and unclear definitions have led to much confusion among consumers regarding the benefits of each.

Veneers are made up of many thin layers of wood bonded to a center core. Each layer is positioned at a 90° angle to the layer below it, making veneers stronger than solid wood planks because the wood will naturally shrink and expand equally rather than in just one direction as solid wood will. Veneers are far less resistant to cracking and splitting over time.

Veneers are popular in furniture making because consumers value their uniform, repeating grain, a look not possible with solid wood. Until the Industrial Revolution however, manufacturing wood veneers was a costly process and the glues used to bond the thin layers was not conducive to strong, durable construction. Recent advances in adhesive technologies have resulted in veneers that are as strong or even stronger than solid wood.

Still, the charm and natural imperfections of solid wood is undeniable and most toy chests made today feature a combination of solid wood and veneers to create the best looking, longest lasting pieces.

If you're shopping for a toy chest for your child, you will be faced with many different materials to choose from. Wood toy chests are beautiful and durable but plastic and metal toy chests are equally compelling choices. Consider the room's decor and your storage needs then choose the style that best suits you.

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