Wood Furniture Finishes

Finishes can bring out the beauty in a piece of wood furniture. There are two basic types of finishing techniques: natural and hard.

Natural finishes consist of a variety of oils and waxes that soak into the wood. They are resistant to water and alcohol but can stain if a spilled liquid is not cleaned up immediately. Natural finishes will develop a beautiful patina over the years.

Hard finishes include varnishes, polyurethanes, and lacquers. They are highly resistant to water and alcohol but when scratched or damaged are more difficult to repair. There are many gloss levels than can be achieved when using a hard finish, allowing you to choose a variety of looks, from low gloss to semi-gloss to high gloss.

Wood furniture is also available with a variety of painted techniques including faux finishing and handpainting. Painted pieces must be property sealed with a protective wax or synthetic finish to ensure their longevity and beauty. Painted pieces can be more expensive than those with natural finishes due to extra steps that must be taken to ensure an even appearance.

Distressing is a technique used to create the look of an old or worn piece of furniture. The wood is marked up using special tools before the final finish is applied. Distressed finishes tend to hide scratches and are an excellent choice for rooms where there is a lot of activity.