Common Questions

Browse below for a comprehensive helping of common curiousities about Sauder^® furniture. If your question isn't "common", one of our experienced customer service representatives will be happy to assist you.

The Furniture

So what’s your furniture made of?

An environmentally friendly material called “engineered wood.” It’s a combination of high-quality hard wood and soft wood residuals of other lumber processes. These components are bonded together with a synthetic resin and then applied to high heat and pressure. The result is a dense, strong panel that is laminated and cut into pieces.

What do I use to clean your product?

Using a damp cloth will do the trick. Wipe dry and voila!

Does Sauder furniture come unfinished? Can I paint/varnish?

Nope, sorry. All Sauder furniture is finished. Furniture with a paper laminate finish cannot be painted or varnished.

Does the laminate have a protective coating?

Yep. The laminate finish is applied by using a special in-house process that gives the piece its beautiful finish. Many of Sauder’s commercial office items have enhanced melamine top-surface protection.

Is it waterproof?

Yes and no. If something is spilled on your product and cleaned relatively fast, no damage will be done. But if the liquid has time to absorb, damage will occur (just like solid wood).

Assembly

How long does it take to assemble a piece of Sauder furniture?

Experience and capability can cause assembly times to vary considerably. Some models can be assembled in an hour or two, while others may take several hours (as an upgrade, several pieces in our commercial office line come partially or fully assembled). Don’t get us wrong — the assembly process is relatively simple but can be time–consuming. The more experience you have with our furniture, the faster the job will go. Working with someone/bribery is also a great way to cut down on your workload.

Do you offer assembly?

Not directly, but we may be able to find an assembler in your area. Feel free to connect with us on live chat, email or simply call our toll-free number, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). 1.877.996.7539

What tools will I need?

For most assemblies, just use a #2 Phillips screwdriver, straight-edge screwdriver and hammer. While it might be speedier to use a power screwdriver, overtightening could cause damage. Beyond that, a tape measure and/or an adjustable wrench can be used on some pieces.

Can I add casters to my furniture?

Afraid not. If the unit wasn’t designed with casters, it’s just not safe to add them. It also voids the warranty, so please keep that in mind.

What about leaving the back off?

Nope! The back helps to square the unit while also providing crucial stability and overall safety.

Will the instructions be good enough?

Well, with easily identifiable illustrations of steps and product components, we do everything we can to make our instructions clear and thorough. But don’t fret. If you ever have trouble, feel free to connect with a knowledgeable furniture technician on live chat, email or simply call our toll-free number, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). 1.877.996.7539

Warranty

What does your warranty cover?

The warranty protects the original purchaser of a Sauder furniture piece against defects in all furniture components. If a component is proven defective within the term of the warranty, Sauder will furnish a replacement component at no cost. No assembly or labor included.

The Company

Are you a public or private company? Can I buy stock?

Sauder is a privately held company, so no stock is available for purchase — but we’d be lying if we weren’t flattered by the inquiry.

How long has the Sauder Company been around?

Sauder Woodworking Company was founded way back in 1934 by Erie Sauder during the Great Depression and has remained a family owned, family run business ever since.

Where is Sauder based?

Approximately 40 miles west of Toledo in the small Northwestern town of Archbold, Ohio. Stop by the Sauder Village, if you’re in town.

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