If you own a piano or are thinking of buying one, you may be wondering what the heaviest part of a piano is. This could be important to know if you will be lifting or moving a piano at any time.
Pianos are not only heavy, but they are delicate as well. You could very easily damage one if you underestimate its size or weight. That is why it is a good idea to know what you are dealing with beforehand.
What is The Heaviest Part of a Modern Piano?
The piano frame is the heaviest part of a piano by far. This frame will often weigh about 450 pounds for a grand piano.
This is a significant weight and can make it difficult to lift a piano unless you have help to balance it.
The frame of a piano is so heavy because it is usually made out of cast iron. Pianos have been made out of a frame of cast iron since the 1870s since it is sturdy and can endure the test of time.
As great as this is for stability, it can make lifting and moving a piano very daunting and require plenty of muscle. Even a small piano needs to be lifted by two to three people in most instances.
How Much Does the Average Piano Weigh?
Pianos come in a variety of sizes and styles, which can either add to or take away from their weight. Grand pianos can weigh up to 1,400 pounds if made well with cast iron and real wood.
Most modern-day pianos that you would more commonly buy can weigh anywhere from 300 pounds to 800 pounds easily. This will usually depend on the size of your piano, as large usually means heavier.
Most modern-day pianos are going to be significantly lighter as they are made to be moved with more ease. They are also designed to fit more comfortably into smaller spaces.
A vintage or antique piano will weigh more as they are often made better and with better quality materials. Many older pianos also come with beautifully carved details that can add to the weight of the piano.
Why Do Pianos Weigh So Much?
The most common reason why pianos weigh so much is that their frame is usually made of cast iron. This isn’t always the case, but in most cases it is.
You also have to consider the other components of how a piano is made as there are several different pieces involved.
Many pianos, especially grand pianos, have a complicated inner working of metal pieces inside that help the piano to work. As well as the lid, legs, and wood body, all of these things contribute to the weight.
Some cheaper pianos are made out of particle board, but surprisingly enough, that is just as heavy if not heavier than real wood.
No matter what kind of piano you buy, new or old, it is going to be heavy. Pianos are one of the heaviest musical instruments, no matter what size or model you buy.
Why Do Different Pianos Weigh Differently?
What goes into a piano’s weight is going to vary from piano to piano. The frame of a piano is always going to be the heaviest part, but sometimes it is made out of different materials.
Some modern-day pianos may not have a cast-iron frame, which will make them significantly lighter. Minimal pianos with no designs or bulky pieces will also be lighter as they have less wood.
Size is also a big part of how a piano weighs as the bigger the piano, the more materials you are ultimately going to be lifting.
A grand piano is always going to be the heaviest option as they are significantly larger than any average-sized piano. They can weigh up to 1,400 pounds which could take some significant manpower to lift.
Grand pianos are often made more sturdily as well to withstand their own size, making them heavier.
What Part of a Piano is Heaviest?
The frame of a piano is always going to be the heaviest as it is usually made of the heaviest material in the piano. Typically this is going to be made of pure cast iron.
Pianos are so heavy because they are often built to last, this includes being made of a variety of strong and heavy materials. Pianos are also larger and are always going to be heavy, no matter how big or small they are.
They are one of the heaviest musical instruments and are made with a variety of parts that are very heavy when put together.
Most sized pianos require at least two to three people to safely lift them or move them to somewhere else. Not only are they heavy, but they are shaped in a way that requires at least two people to balance.
The lightest pianos that you could find would probably be more modern models of piano. As many modern ones are made with cheaper and lighter materials to make them easier to move around.
Pianos that are plain in design will also be slightly lighter than those that are elaborate and detailed. It really comes down to size and materials mostly as those contribute to the weight the most.
This is why most antique pianos weigh the most as they tend to be larger and were built with sturdier materials. Making them significantly heavier and harder to move under most circumstances.