Moduluxe Collection Construction Details
• Lead Time | Woods & Stains | Finishes | Veneers | Hardware | Beds | Case Pieces •
Lead Time
Approx lead time:
5-8 weeks
Lead times vary greatly depending on a number of factors, but generally are between 5-8 weeks. The lead time depends primarily on the piece. Each product page will describe the crafting and shipping options available.
Woods & Stains
This collection is available for order in the following standard woods and stains. Additional options may be available upon request for an upcharge of 10% - 20%. Contact us for details.
Natural Cherry
Windsor Cherry
Autumn Cherry
Cognac Cherry
Saddle Cherry
Smoke Cherry
Natural Walnut
Natural Maple
White Maple
Cocoa Maple
Dark Chocolate Maple
Slate Maple
Black Maple
Chestnut Maple
Dark Honey Maple
Click here for more information about the woods we use.
Finishes
The Copeland Furniture Finish
Our standard top coat is a pre-catalyzed lacquer. Copeland's finishes are Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer's Association (KCMA) rated - meaning they are made to withstand the type of heat, grease and spills typically found in a kitchen setting. This durability is a significant advantage over the industry's standard conventional lacquers. Also noteworthy is the matte, satin look and feel of this finish which contrasts favorably with the heavy build-up and high gloss of conventional finishes.
Water Based -- the next generation
As the public's concern over indoor air quality continues to grow, Copeland is becoming the leader in non-toxic, eco-friendly water based finishes. Most of Copeland's furniture can now be requested in a non-emitting water-based finish. Technically, this finish is called an Acrylic Emulsion meaning that the resin is made up of acrylic polymers mixed in a water solvent. Since there is no petroleum based solvent, the water based finish is extremely low in VOC's and completely free of formaldehyde. As important, the finish is every bit as durable as the standard pre-catalyzed lacquer with the same satin feel. There is a slight difference in color - the water based finish tends to be a bit whiter than the pre-cat - but it's slight enough that unless you were looking at the two finishes side by side you might never know the difference. As this technology develops we anticipate a day when water based becomes the standard on all our furniture, however presently it is only available on about 3/4 of Copeland's pieces. Please contact us to request this finish on your furniture.
Solid Wood Construction
Solid Wood Veneer Sheets
Plywood
MDF Particle Board (Never Used)
Background - Solid Wood Construction
Our solid wood comes from sustainably harvested, domestic hardwood trees. We select species regarded for their exceptional beauty as well as their steady long standing market demand. Clapboard beds, dressers and chests in this collection are constructed of solid wood.
An important fact about solid wood is that it expands and contracts with the varying levels of humidity (up to 1% measured across the grain). Furniture made of solid wood must be designed specifically to allow room for the wood to move.
The reason manufacturers use solids is fairly obvious. Well made solid wood furniture is extremely durable and when damaged can be repaired and renewed over generations.
What are veneers?
A veneer is a thinly cut overlay of the same high-quality, sustainably harvested solid wood used in the rest of the piece, but applied over a substrate, in this case premium quality plywood.
Where are veneers used?
Our reputation is as a solid wood specialist. This is not to say we never use veneers but rather that their use is limited to the specific areas where they are the best choice.
For instance, the flat back panel of the moduluxe bed headboard must be a veneer because it would be structurally impossible to build out of solids. In this case, a solid panel would have the potential to expand and break the frame apart during periods of high humidity. High box and shelf nightstands in this collection also incorporate veneers, for the same reason: stability (note that our high quality, furniture grade plywood is considerably stronger than solids of equal dimension).Why are veneers used?
There are three main reasons furniture makers use veneers in their pieces:
- Construction: Complicated shapes and curves are often impossible to fabricate out of solids. Very thin parts often require the strength of veneered plywood and certain design elements require the dimensional stability of veneered components.
- Aesthetic: Interesting effects with wood grains can by achieved by matching and/or assembling veneer strips in any number of deliberate patterns.
- Weight/Expansion: By using veneers for framed panel case sides, furniture makers can significantly reduce the weight of a large case good like a dresser. Also, because plywood is made by cross-hatching wood grains, it does not expand and contract the way solid wood does, thus ensuring that the case sides will not expand and contract over time potentially damaging the frame and structure of the rest of the piece.
Hardware
* "xxx" denotes that this knob is available in several different woods/stains. Contact us for details
Beds
Bed Headboards
Moduluxe louvered, clapboard headboards are crafted out of solid wood. Moduluxe panel bed headboards are crafted using a high quality veneered panel because it would be structurally impossible to build out of solid wood. A solid panel would have the potential to expand and break the frame apart during periods of high humidity.
Plinth Platform Beds
Moduluxe plinth platform beds are designed with a 3/4” thick, high quality, furniture grade plywood deck which provides the platform structure which the mattress sits on. That platform is framed by a thicker decorative solid wood trim that is the same wood species and finish as the headboard. The trim is visible in the photos, the deck itself (under the mattress) is not visible.
Storage Beds
Moduluxe storage bed construction is conventional with rails, cleats and platform kits. Storage beds are crafted in solid maple, cherry or American black walnut hardwood.
Case Pieces
Drawer Boxes
Copeland's drawer fronts are solid wood, 3/4" thick. Drawer sides and backs are also solid wood - cherry, maple or ash - and are a full 5/8" thick. Drawer bottoms are 1/4" high-grade plywood panels.
You'll notice that our drawers are joined with an asymmetrical English dovetail joint. Asymmetrical refers to the fact that the pins (seen on the drawer front) and tails (seen on the drawer side) are of different widths. This is the gold standard in traditional joinery and is both aesthetically and structurally superior to other common techniques.
The drawer front integrates directly with the drawer side. Often you will find furniture where the drawer front is simply screwed on to a pre-existing drawer box. This is usually because the manufacturer has opted to purchase pre-manufactured drawer boxes rather than going to the trouble of designing, engineering and building the components to match their individual designs. Sadly, many manufacturers who market themselves as Made in the USA engage in this practice, effectively outsourcing components that make up nearly half of the product.
Some manufacturers cut corners, leaving drawer boxes unfinished. Not only is this unsightly, it is potentially hazardous to your clothing. Delicate garments can be snagged or even torn on rough unsanded surfaces and this becomes more pronounced with age as the unprotected wood is exposed to changing humidity. Copeland's drawer boxes are fully finished and sanded on the interiors.
Solid Wood Case Sides
Forty-five Degree Miter construction refers to the angle in which solid wood tops and sides are joined to create a perfectly seamless perimeter. Stylistically, these cases are highly refined and visually Modern. The technique to produce this style of case requires extreme precision and is only attainable through exacting detail. The leading edge of the cases is beveled to present a thin delicate, line that belies their considerable heft.
Drawer Glides
Our Modern forty-five degree miter collections use an Under Mounted Soft Close Glide. These full extension glides provide a gentle bump as the drawer is fully extended and a soft automatic retraction as the drawer closes. Since they are under mounted there is no visible hardware.
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