What Does Refinishing Wood Furniture Mean?

Refinishing wood furniture means giving your worn-out or damaged furniture a complete facelift. This process involves carefully sanding down the surface to remove old finishes, stains, or imperfections, and then applying a new finish to make the piece look brand new again. It’s a great way to restore the beauty and functionality of your furniture while keeping its original character intact.

What Is the Difference Between Furniture Restoration and Refinishing?

Furniture restoration and refinishing are similar but differ in their approaches and goals.

Restoration focuses on repairing and maintaining a piece’s original structure and finish, often preserving its historical and sentimental value. It involves minor repairs and cleaning to restore the furniture’s original look without changing much of its existing character.

Refinishing is a more involved process that strips away the old finish and applies a new one.

Refinishing is ideal for furniture with significant wear and tear, while restoration is better for maintaining the charm of an antique or sentimental item.

Does Refinishing Furniture Decrease Value?

Refinishing furniture doesn’t have to decrease its value. If anything, it can preserve or even increase it, depending on how it’s done. It’s particularly helpful for vintage or solid wood furniture, as it brings new life to older pieces while preserving their charm.

Here’s why refinishing can be a smart choice:

• Preservation of original quality: Refinishing protects a well-made piece’s original structure and material.
• Restoring appearance: It removes scratches, stains, and wear, making the furniture look new.
• Cost-effective solution: It’s often much cheaper than purchasing brand-new, high-quality furniture.

With refinishing, you can update the look to match your current style or decor without buying something new. It’s worth noting that refinishing instead of replacing also reduces waste and promotes sustainability.

What Types of Furniture Can You Refinish?

Solid wood furniture, veneered furniture, and painted furniture are all good candidates for refinishing. Solid wood is perhaps the most common and can include tables, chairs, dressers, and cabinets made from woods like oak, maple, cherry, and walnut.

The refinishing process is generally dependent on the actual condition of the wood more than anything else. However, some types of furniture, like antique pieces with intricate carvings or veneer inlays, require a combination of different techniques that balance restoration and preservation.

Can Engineered Wood Furniture Be Refinished?

Engineered wood furniture can be refinished but requires a slightly different approach than solid wood. Since engineered wood is made from layers of wood veneer and composite materials, it’s important to handle it with care to avoid damaging the surface. The process usually involves lightly sanding the veneer, applying a fresh stain or paint, and sealing it to protect the finish.

When Should You Refinish Wood Furniture?

Wood is vulnerable to moisture. Exposed frequently and for long enough, it can warp, crack, or develop stains. This usually isn’t an issue if the furniture is well-sealed and maintained, but over time, protective finishes wear down, leaving the surface exposed to damage.

For example, a wooden dining table can show water damage from a spilled drink that left behind rings. Refinishing, in this case, can erase the stains and otherwise revive the surface. Generally, you should pursue refinishing when the structure of the furniture is intact but the finish has degraded.

Here are a few other instances when refinishing is ideal:

• Sunlight exposure: A desk or bookshelf placed near a window has faded unevenly over time.
• Heat marks: A coffee table shows white or dark marks from hot dishes or mugs.
• Paint splatter: A wooden chair has accidental paint drips from a recent room renovation.

Excel Maintenance Solutions Offers Expert Furniture Refinishing

Don’t immediately discard old, damaged furniture. We specialize in furniture refinishing to restore the integrity and beauty of your valuable pieces.

Our refinishing services:

• Eliminate signs of wear, stains, and discoloration
• Protect furniture from future damage with durable coatings
• Revitalize antique or vintage pieces
• Add value to unique or handcrafted wood furniture

What Can You Expect From Refinishing Services?

Our refinishing services start with a thorough inspection of your wooden furniture to assess its condition and determine the necessary work. You’ll receive a detailed estimate outlining the steps required to restore the piece. Once approved, we carefully transport the furniture from your property to our shop.

The refinishing process can then begin. If you have a dining table with scratches and faded color, we can strip the old finish, sand it to remove imperfections, and then apply a stain to enhance its natural grain. The process varies depending on the type of wood, the damage, and your desired finish.