What is Particle Board?

Particle board has gotten a bad rap over the years and is commonly thought of as sub-par or inferior to “real wood.” Guess what particle board is made of…..ready?….Real Wood!

Particle board is maybe from the byproducts of wood used in the timber industry. It is shredded and dried then mixed with adhesives.  This mixture is rolled out and pressed under great force and heat into long sheets of standard thicknesses.  The sheets are cut to length then stacked and ready to be used.  In the past, formaldehyde was a key ingredient in the adhesive but that is no longer the case.

Particle Board Examples

The pressing of the material is varied to create different densities of material. Think about those Space Bags which are used for storing clothes. Put a sweater in one and seal it up. Measure the thickness and feel how floppy the bag is.  Now, open it up and fill it with 4 more sweaters. Vacuum the air out until it is as thick as the bag with one regular sweater.  As you pull the air out, the sweaters compress and the contents become denser.  Pick it up now.  It is the same thickness as the other, but I bet it is not as floppy as the uncompressed single sweater.  The same goes for particle board.  We use a grade which is denser than regular-use material.  This makes for a stronger wallbed cabinet for our customers.

After the particle board is ready it is covered, repressed and heated with decorative papers and come out looking like a whole forest of wood varieties.  Or they can be solid colors, patterned… the possibilities are endless!  These finished boards handle a lot of wear and clean up easily with mild soap and water.

Many advances have been made across the industry to insure the product is durable and safe.  We use products which have been certified by FSC- The Forest Stewardship Council.  The FSC, ”sets standards for responsible forest management. A voluntary program, FSC uses the power of the marketplace to protect forests for future generations.”  (https://us.fsc.org/index.htm)

Now you see it. Now you DON’T!

We are the Great American Wallbed Co. in Bellevue, WA.

Should I Buy a Wallbed / Murphy Bed Locally or Online?

Surfing the WWW for Wall Bed/Murphy Bed companies the other day caused me to reflect on this dilemma: Local or Online? I checked out both nationwide and local Wall Bed/Murphy Bed manufacturers.  Several of the online companies I viewed have great websites, such as Bedder Way and BredaBeds. They contain a large amount of information regarding material, finishes, measurements, pricings and so on. Usually you will have to pay freight and install it yourself with the video and written instructions provided. It can be tricky, but it is doable with enough planning and extra hands. You will save money on the installation, but probably pay more for freight.

Local Wall Bed/Murphy Bed companies in the greater Seattle/ Puget Sound area also offer good info. Among them are:  Wallbeds Northwest and Northwest Closet and Wallbeds. A local company should be able to come out to your home to measure your space and make suggestions. They will also have the ability to install your new wallbed. Make sure they are licensed and bonded before they start to assemble your wallbed. You will pay more for installation, but it will usually be done in one.  Most DIY project I have experienced, last MUCH longer than that!

Additionally, these national companies may be local or online: California Closets and Closets By Design. They offer splashy videos and mouth-watering solutions.

Honestly, most of the Wallbed/ Murphy Bed companies, both online and local, are capable and skilled in making what you want. For me, it comes down to this: personal contact and cost.

A local retail store (less shipping, handling, and installation cost) would be my decision. Why? Because I will be working with people, i.e. human beings, that I may later run into at the local Starbucks. With the national companies, it is trickier to make a lasting connection.  (Don’t you agree now that I pointed it out to you????)

• Get a feel for whom you are dealing with. You might be surprised how simplified your process becomes.
• In return, you will feel good for favoring and supporting one of your LOCAL companies.  We would love to be your teacher, help you zero in on your needs, and together come up with a workable and satisfying design.
• Local Wallbed companies are usually Family Owned and Operated.  We pay Local Taxes J  Think about it!

In this case the “WE” are The Great American Wallbeds Company, (aka Seattle Wallbeds Co.) Bellevue, WA.  The “great,” in Great American Wallbed, is our reputation around the Greater Seattle Area Costco Special Events.  Chances are you saw us there first  🙂

Check out The Great American Wallbed Co. for our offerings.