Integrated process
GD Arredamenti’s furniture is the result of an integrated industrial process. The main steps of this process are illustrated below, starting with the use of the trunk and natural wood components, right through to the end product.
An integrated industrial process is adopted for all models with wooden doors and accessories, such as Legno Vivo and the entire Velvet program with doors made using the 3-layer technique, the bathroom collections and the ranges of classic furniture.
1. Wood from areas with monitored reforestation
GD Arredamenti mainly uses Oak, Larch and Ash wood coming from forests where reforestation is monitored and checked by local forest authorities. Over the years, the cycle of planting, growing and felling has created a balance, whereby the number of trees in the areas of land supplying wood remains constant.
Trees are selected based on their diameter and quality and are cut into logs before being transported to the sawmill.
2. Sawmill: Leaching
Once they have been moved to the sawmill, the first process the logs undergo is called “leaching”: water vapour is used to clean the wood of any organic substances, such as sugars and starches, which could otherwise make an attack by fungi and insects more likely. This process also makes the wood softer and more flexible, making subsequent woodworking processes, such as debarking, much easier.
3. Sawmill: first phase of processing
The logs, cleaned by the leaching process, now undergo the first phase of processing: debarking and sawing into sections. Semi-processed logs are then cut into planks of equal size. Offcuts, representing almost 40% of the total, are used to produce electricity, pellets for heating or wooden panels (OSB, MDF panels, etc.).
4. Ageing
The planks, stacked into piles of various heights with slats separating them, then undergo a drying process in a controlled environment (ageing). At the end of this process, the planks will have a moisture content below 9%; this parameter may be altered if the planks are to be used to produce panels destined for countries with special weather conditions, in order to guarantee the stability of the finished furniture product.
5. Sawmill: second phase of processing
The planks, now dry, are cut-to-measure and finished along the edges. They are then glued together to create panels of the right size to build the doors. At this point in the process, the surfaces are prepared and sanded down and the panels are cut to the right size, depending on the model being built. The finished doors are then moved to the factory’s paintwork department.
6. Paintwork
Before painting, the right finish is given to the doors and accessories and they are double checked. Depending on the surface required, they may be brushed (to bring out the wood’s pores and grain) or sanded down (giving a perfectly smooth surface). The wood is then painted and sanded numerous times before a final coat of matt transparent varnish is applied with a ‘soft-touch’ effect. By doing this, it’s possible to create smooth or brushed wooden surfaces with a natural, stained or lacquered finish.
7. Assembly
After a final quality control check, the doors and accessories (shelves, open units, sides, counters, etc.) are assembled onto the furniture structures (which are also produced in the factory), and are fitted with their functional accessories and mechanisms. Lastly, everything is packaged ready to be transported to the customer. To avoid any damage during transportation, the packaging consists of strong double wave cardboard wrapped in kraft paper with polystyrene corner protectors and additional PS supports.