What Are Desks Made Out Of? You May Be Surprised.

You may not give much thought to what are desks made out of?

Still, the material it's constructed from can significantly impact its durability, stability, and overall aesthetic.

Whether it be the wood paneling, metal frame, or screws that hold it all together - each part plays an essential role in keeping your workspace sturdy.

What are Desks Made out of

Modern desks are made from materials like wood and metal. 

Although some may use plastic or even Glass, the most common type of desks are made from composites of different wood sources that have been compressed under a very high temperature.

These desks are then finished with a laminate wood surface.  

How are wood desks made?

Standard wood desks are made of a composite of different types of wood compressed together under enormous pressure.

Usually, these are abundant varieties of softwoods like pine. 

Composite wood desks are easy to manufacture and can be quickly shipped worldwide.

Especially when the majority of these desks are "built at home." Most composite wood desks come with instructions on how to assemble these on your own. 

This style keeps the desk light and cost-effective. They are finished with a laminate to keep them smooth and glossy.

This laminate keeps all the composite wood free of water or other contaminants. 

Composite wood decks generally do not have a long lifespan. Because they are soft and relatively low cost, they tend to break or chip after some time. If you are careful around your composite wood deck, this isn't always the case, but cost-effective products don't always last forever. 

Read More >>  Top 5 Best Light Wood Desks (2022 Review)

Hardwood desks

Oak desks are the most common kind of hardwood desk. These make great computer desks and range anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.

Oak makes for a tremendous sturdy desk that will last a very long time. 

Some other styles of hardwood desks are maple, walnut, cherry, and African hardwoods.

These materials can be expensive but make for a beautiful piece of furniture to add to any space.  

Oakwood desks tend to be on the heavy side.

This makes them difficult to move but much more sturdy than their composite desk counterparts.

There is more availability with oak than other hardwoods making them an excellent decision for any desk owner. 

What are the benefits of wood desks?

Wood desks make a great accent piece to any space.

They are elegant and straightforward. Depending on your choice of material, wood is readily available and can be sourced from different parts of the world. 

Wood desks can be very sturdy and will last a long time under the proper care.

Due to the different wood styles, you can pair them with most color schemes of any room, making them almost entirely customizable. 

You can have a completely customizable piece of furniture for your home that's handmade and reasonably sourced.

Wood desks can have that hand-crafted feel that metal and glass do not have.

There are still great carpenters who make desks for customers. 

What are Desks Made out of

Should you buy a glass desk?

Glass desks are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a modern upgrade to any space.

Glass desks usually are made of different materials for the base and the legs and then a flat glass surface for the top.

Some desks are even made entirely of glass. While you may think glass desks are easy to break, quite the opposite is true.

Glass desks can be highly durable and last for a long time under the proper care. 

They are easy to keep clean. Any window or glass cleaner will do a fantastic job cleaning the surface, keeping it looking brand new for years.

Glass is more challenging to chip or scratch than laminate and wood, making them an excellent option for a computer work desk.

They also look very modern compared to other styles of desks. 

And let's not forget that it gives a fresh look that is very sleek and clean, showing off all the parts around them. There are a variety of glass desks to meet any needs. 

They are made in large and small sizes, making them perfect for any room or office.

Glass desks are especially great for large size desks, making them a more cost-effective choice next to wood for this type of space. 

Read More >> Top 5 Best Mirrored Desks (2022 Review)

Are metal desks a good choice?

Metal desks are the most durable option you can choose.

Since these are synthetic materials, they are made to be scratchproof, fireproof, and even waterproof.

Their unique coats of paint make them resistant to most dings and scrapes.

Metal desks can take years of wear and tear, making them excellent choices for public spaces or large offices.

These desks can withstand daily use and maintain a perfect finish. 

Most metal desks are small and sleek, making them excellent for smaller rooms and apartments.

Even though they are compact, they can still offer a large amount of workspace because of their adjustability. 

Read More >> Top 5 Best Small Gaming Desks (2022 Review)

Metal desks can be heavy, but new modern lightweight metals are often very comparable to wood and glass desks.

These desks have a hard outside shell and can even be hollow inside to save on weight. 

What are the benefits of a metal desk?

Shipping is extremely easy for metal desks due to their compact and customizable nature.

Metal desks will come in smaller pieces and give their buyers the ability to build at home quickly. 

Since these desks come in smaller, more durable parts, it's possible to order replacement parts if something does go wrong.

Most wood and glass desks are made in larger pieces that, once put together, are irreplaceable. 

Metal desks have interchangeable synthetic parts, making them easy to take apart and replace.

No matter the size or dimensions, metal can be shaped into any pattern to create replacement parts for even custom desks. 

Metal desks are incredibly affordable and easy to take apart and move from place to place.

The lifespan of these desks is almost infinite, making them an excellent investment and cheaper to maintain in the long term.

Recent Guides

Looking to learn more about standing desks? Check out some of our other informative and in-depth reviews and guides!

Why do you need an ergonomic chair

Traditional office chairs can be uncomfortable and sitting is already bad for your health. The greatest

Read More »
Are ergonomic chairs better than gaming

To use a desk most healthily and comfortably, you will need a chair that offers

Read More »
Introduction to Ergonomics and the Importance of the Right Office Chair

What is an ergonomic office chair? Ergonomics is the study of how people interact with their

Read More »
Do standing desks cause varicose veins

Are you interested in a standing desk? Maybe your workplace is offering standing desks for

Read More »
Best balance boards for standing desks

Interested in learning about the best balance boards for standing desks? In this product review

Read More »
Top five best standing desk with cupholder

Interested in learning about the best Standing Desk with Cupholder? In this product review guide,

Read More »
Darryl Higgins

Darryl Higgins

Hi, I'm Darryl. I made this site to help share information & reviews about ergonomic desks, chairs & accessories to help others who want to work more comfortably. Learn more about my journey by reading my bio here. Enjoy!
Darryl Higgins

Darryl Higgins

Hi, I'm Darryl. I made this site to help share information & reviews about ergonomic desks, chairs & accessories to help others who want to work more comfortably. Learn more about my journey by reading my bio here. Enjoy!

About Athlete Desk

Learn about standing desks, bicycle desks, treadmill desks, ergonomic chairs & accessories.

Recently Published Guides

Recommended Guides