FAQ - frequently asked questions

 

FAQ plywood products

Is plywood furniture strong?
Yes. Our products are designed to be solid and strong, moreso than traditional pieces of furniture because the joints and metal parts are kept to a minimum.

The plywood used is often only 12 mm thick...
Yes, it is not necessary to use thicker material. The perpendicular veining of the various layers makes even 12mm panels very strong. We use E1 certified plywood, which guarantees the lowest formaldeheyde emissions.


What are the advantages of plywood furniture with respect to traditional furniture?
Ease of assembly and disassembly, which can be repeated many times without damaging the joints.
When disassembled the ptoducts occupy very little space.
It is possible to carry out maintenance with a simple piece of sandpaper.
Out products are not subject to deterioration because they do not contain MDF or chipboard.
It is possible to replace individual parts without having to buy a new piece of furniture,
You can color the surface.


How long does it take to apply the finish?
For a bed or a table for about 40 minutes, a bed about 1 hour.

How is the finish applied?
To apply the finish, mix the product with a stick,
With a clean rag cotton, apply the finish following the veining of the wood. After a few
minutes remove any residue with a second dry, clean rag. Important: after applying the finish, soak the regs in water and do not wring them out before.
The finish must be applied first to mount mobile.

Should the finish be diluted?
No.

Are the instructions easy to follow?
An illustrated sheet summarizes the sequence assembly and the procedures for applying finish.
Further information is available from individual data sheets available on the web site on the main page for each product.

Are tools needed for assembly?
No tools are necessary for assembling the plywood kits, except maybe a hammer.

How is the furniture packed?
In cardboard boxes with bubblewrap or polyethylene film.

Does the furniture come in different dimensions?
Currently no, but we can make products to order using laser cut birch plywood panels.
The price is about double that of our standard products, delivery time is around 5 weeks.
Moreover, we can make entire furniture systems. We can give you a free quote. You can see an example of a furniture system/structure at: http://www.totem.ws/chisiamo-en.html (see bottom of page)

Is it possible to see the products?
We have a show room in Milan in via Pier Lombardo 6, where our furniture is designed. If you want to visit us please, contact us via email (info@totem.ws) or

telephone: +39 02 54121585

 

FAQ - made-to-measure TOTEMBUILD

How long does it take to receive a made-to-order structure?

From estimate to delivery, about 2 months. each design is unique, however, and may need more time depending on the complexity of the project.

Can a project be changed or modified once the order has been confirmed?

Certainly, but changes may slow down the process.

How thick are the plywood components?

They can vary from 9 to21 mm according to the design, when used as beams and columns several panels are placed side by side to reach a thickness of 60 mm

Are loft structures and stairways robust?

Absolutely, the strength is superior to traditional structures.

What happens if part of the structure is damaged?

For deep cuts or broken pieces, we can replace the damaged element. this is one of the strong points of the system. for less serious damage, the piece can be sanded and refinished.

Are the products guaranteed?

Yes, all TOTEM products have a 2 year guarantee.

Can anyone assemble a totembuild structure?

It depends on the complexity of the structure. for simple structures, the procedure is the same as for a single piece of furniture. for large and more complicated structures, it is important to have good manual ability and ease in using tools like drills, screwdrivers, sanders. For lofts, stairways or large wall structures, it is a good idea to involve a carpenter or a person experienced in assembling furniture. TOTEM can also supply an assembly team.

Is plywood 100% wood ? what is the difference between plywood and particle board?

Plywood is made completely of wood, it is sold in panels. Particleboard panels are made from sawdust and glue.

Plywood contains glue. Is this harmful to people's health?

Plywood does contain glue, but we use certified E1 plywood. This type of classification guarantees that formaldeheyde emissions from the glue are maximum 0,01 particles per million. This parameter meets ecological material certification standards. In EUrope the regulations for these standards are being drafted under the name ecolabel.

 

 

 

 

FAQ solid wood products

Are the woods used comparable to other essences available in Europe?
Roble is similar to Rovere (Oak), a porous wood with rich designs. It may have darker veins, ranging from brown to red.
Tajibo comes closest to American walnut and rosewood, but it is much heavier and robust. Its pores are closed and compact; the veins are lighter, stripes that vary from red to purple.


What are the bed staves made of?
They are also solid wood, made of another, lighter-colored esence called Yesquero. They support both traditional mattresses and futons.

What are the most suitable mattresses?
We propose mattresses with latex, polyurethane or futons, but other types of mattresses can be used.


Is assembly like putting together an IKEA kit?
THe assembly of our kits is easier than putting together traditional kit; there are only two types of joints used in all of our products. In terms of the type of assembly, there are two product families: those with screw joints (S9 - S10-D1-D2-L5-T6 - HU) and those fully jointed (L4 - T4-T5).


Are tools needed to assemble the products?
The kit includes a wooden tool for assembly and other tools are not necessary, although sometimes a hammer is useful for inserting the wooden spines.

Is the furniture robust?
Our solid wood furniture is extremely strong and durable.

How is the furniture finished?
All furniture in solid Tajibo and Roble is coated with natural linseed oil. A layer of wax is added to the Roble furniture.

Is the dark wood stained?
No, we do not use any type of stain, the dark color is the natural color of the tajibo wood.


How should I care for the furniture?
It is advisable to periodically (every 6 months) use a soft cloth to put some wax or linseed oil on the surfaces.

Is the furniture really made of solid wood?
Yes, 100% solid wood.


Is there formaldehyde in wood furniture?
No, only formaldehyde-free glue is used.


The beds seem very low, are they comfortable?
All our furniture has been designed based on ergonomics and functionality, particularly our beds. These structures range from 16 to 30 cm in height, but when a mattress or futon is placed on top, the height from the ground is the same as the seat of a chair (43 cm).

 

What about the assembly instructions?
They consist of a single illustrated sheet that summarizes the assembly sequence and the procedures for applying the finish.
Further information is available from individual data sheets available on the web site on the main page for each product.

 

How is the furniture packed?
In cardboard boxes with bubblewrap or polyethylene film.

 

Is it possible to see the products?
We have a show room in Milan in via Pier Lombardo 6, where our furniture is designed. If you want to visit us, please contact us via email (info@totem.ws) or telephone: +39 02 54121585