
Would 'made OF wood' mean the same? I know you are native.

Additionally, if you would like to elaborate, which is more common and where, according to your experience?

Okay, I have found this on a forum:
I've heard a radio program on this topic.
Made of is used when the material the subject consists of doesn't change during the process of making the subject. As in the example by Armen elsewhere on this page:
Chairs are made of wood.
Here, wood is still wood. It doesn't transform into something else.
On the other hand, made from is used when the material changed its nature. Again, another Armen example:
Paper is made from wood.
Now, wood disappeared — it was transformed into paper.
Some more examples:
The house is made of bricks. [They are still bricks.]
Wine is made from grapes. [Grapes turn into wine.]

The thing is that such rigorous distinctions are, in practice, often not followed throughout. It's a clear guideline to follow when in doubt, of course, but I'm asking a native speaker to elaborate because I want information on actual usage. Do some people consider 'made of' and 'made from' largely interchangeable, or consider one of them more specific than the other? How widespread is that? That's what I hope to know.

"From" couldn't be used in a sentence like this #2982275, could it? :)

I view them as largely interchangeable. I couldn't think of something where I would say they are not interchangeable, until I looked at #2982275 that brauchinet pointed out. I still wouldn't say that you couldn't say "from," in that instance, but "made out of" is definitely the most natural sounding.
made of
made out of
made from
Generally any one of these is interchangeable with another. Using one or another would not make you misunderstood nor earn you any strange looks. However, the explanation juliusbear gave seems to be correct in most instances, but you will hear natives use them interchangeably.

Thank you, Joseph.
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