Must-Know Kids Furniture Terms That Make Shopping Easier
To help you with your kids furniture buying process we want to share some of the most important terms you'll come across when looking at kids furniture. These terms are separated into three categories: Manufacturing and Wood Types, Hardware and Safety Features.
This list will help you find the right kind of kids furniture for you and make your shopping experience much easier. If there's anything we left out you can always call our Customer Service people and they'd be happy to answer any questions you have!
Wood Terms and Manufacturing Process for Kids Furniture
Sustainable Forests - This is a wooded area where kids furniture makers go to get wood for their furniture. In this type of forest manufacturers conduct an environmental practice that guarantees that when a tree is removed from the forest another one is planted in its place. (Tree is turned into kids furniture) This will keep the forest thriving and keep wildlife in that area preserved.
Rubberwood - This is a type of wood that is very tough and has little or no chance of warping or cracking. It's also environmentally friendly.
Veneers - This term refers to a type of decorative facing found on some changing table and dresser drawer fronts. This facing adds that extra special touch not seen on plain drawers.
Engineered Wood - Otherwise known as man-made or composite wood, engineered wood is created by using adhesives to bind strands, particles, fibers or veneers of wood in a certain design. This type of wood meets all US and International Safety Standards to be used in kids furniture.
Kids Furniture Hardware
Metal Mattress Spring System - Also referred to as adjustable mattress platform or support, the spring system refers to an adjustable base that is part of the board under the crib mattress that lets you lower your baby's mattress as he/she grows. There are several types of adjustable mattress bases including ones that adjust two, three or four levels.
Recessed Hardware - The term hardware refers to the bolts and screws that hold kids furniture together. When it is recessed that means that all hardware is inserted into the wood, so you can't see it sticking out. When it's recessed there's no chance of it scratching baby's or mom's skin or catching on clothes or bedding.
Slat Roll - A slat roll is a wooden platform that goes under a mattress that offers much needed support and air circulation for the bed mattress.
Slats - This is a term used for the thin vertical rails found on cribs or any type of thin strips of metal or wood used as bed rails or to create a headboard and footboard for a bed.
Cam Lock Construction - Cam lock construction refers to a type of reinforced hardware that adds extra stability and strength to kids furniture items.
Dovetail Construction - This refers to kids furniture that has been constructed with dovetail joins that add extra sturdiness and durability to the item.
Metal Drawer Guides - This is metal hardware that is found on the bottom of drawers that keeps the drawers moving in and out with ease.
Metal Drawer Pulls - These are various shaped metal drawer handles that are used to open and close each drawer.
Moldings - This term refers to the decorative wooden pieces that you see on drawer fronts or around dresser edges. These add extra pizzazz to a kids furniture piece.
Safety Terms Used When Referring to Kids Furniture
Eco-friendly - When talking about eco-friendly, otherwise referred to as environmentally friendly kids furniture this refers to any items that are made of stains, glues and finishes that are 100% toxic-free with low VOC. Eco-friendly kids furniture is safe for the planet and for kids.
Safety Rails or Guard Rails - These are small safety rails that are used on a convertible crib to transform it into a toddler bed or used on the side of a toddler bed to keep a child safe from falls.
JPMA certified - When a crib or piece of kids furniture has a JPMA certification that means that it passed all the rigorous safety tests done by the JPMA (Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association) and is deemed as extra kid-safe!
Drawer Stop Mechanism - This is a piece of hardware found on some drawers that keep them from falling out of place when pulled too hard.
Static Sides/Rails - This is a term used to describe any rails, like crib rails, that are stationary and can't move.
Tip Restraint Kit - This is a hardware kit that includes two brackets, one that attaches to the wall and one that attaches to the back of the furniture unit. A tie is used to string these brackets together to keep the piece of furniture stationary, so it can't possibly fall over.
