How are different pieces of furniture rated or built for weight tolerance? Aquarium stands are made out of seemingly flimsy board and can hold hundreds of pounds, but a solid wood coffee table is only rated to hold 50.

Question

I’ve been looking at different pieces of furniture for a future terrarium and I’m confused as to why some pieces that are seemingly solid are rated to hold little weight. Most furniture labeled as aquarium stands are made out of lightweight material but can potentially hold hundreds of pounds, but an industrial coffee table of solid wood and metal is only recommended to hold 50. Why is their such a huge disparity for weight limits on different pieces of furniture (that are roughly the same dimensions)?

In: 10

Answer 1

A simple possiblity is that the lower rated furniture can hold much more weight but the manufacturer didn’t bother to test and verify since most people won’t be loading it to those higher ratings. Furniture advertised as TV stand, book cases or aquarium stands are expected to take heavy loads and customers want to see that the furniture is rated for what they plan to do with it.

The other option is that the internal construction could be less robust than high strength furniture. Using simple glued butt or lap joints vs dowels and other hardware inserts. Even the direction of the wood grain will effect strength.