The ironing board I use at my summer home is a wooden one my parents received as a wedding gift in 1938. It works great and given the sentimental value too I wouldn't think of using anything else. The one I have at my other home I got at a thrift store for $5 and it is heavy metal and looks like it is from the 1940's era given the way it folds up. Love that one too. Both are of a size that you can't find ready made covers for but that's fine with me.