Relationship between density and aesthetic attributes of wood and preference of Malagasy consumers

Context

The knowledge of consumer preferences in wood furniture is crucial for the wood processing industries.

Aim

This study aims to identify the attributes of wood that affect the preferences of consumers from the city of Antananarivo, Madagascar, for wooden furnishings.

Methods

Quantitative measurements of the density and aesthetic properties of 12 wood species were carried out. The properties measured were the colour in the CIEL*a*b* colour space, the texture through greyscale image processing, and the density. Then, the wood specimens were subjected to sensory analysis with 100 consumers.

Results

The results showed that the "density" was a prime criterion in choosing a wood species. Concerning the visual aspect, Antananarivo consumers generally liked slightly dark wood colour (L* around 52), tending towards yellow, with a visible oriented texture. The influence of socio-economic factors was also highlighted.

Conclusion

These results are of prime importance in the search for alternative species to replace precious woods that are becoming rare.