The finishing process can really make or break any piece of furniture. Expert craftsmen known that the finishing process is one that can’t be overlooked. The right finish will help bring out the best in any piece of furniture, but that is only the beginning. One of the key reasons that the finishing process is so important is that it also serve to protect wood as well. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular and useful finishes for wood.
When it comes to finishing wood, there are plenty of options. Deciding which one is right for you can, as a result, be more than a little tricky, but don’t worry as Amish Furniture Factory has you covered. The time you invest in selecting the right finish is time well spent as the right finish will help you protect your furniture while giving it a look that you love.
Oil Based Finishes Provide a Long Lasting Finish
Of course, eco-friendly options are not the only options available. Another option comes in the form of oil based finishes. Oil based finishes are very good at protecting wood, but they too have a potential drawback as oil based finishes can be dangerous to work with as they are flammable. That stated, oil based finishes can provide a beautiful and lasting finish.
Varnish
The first type of hardwood finish we’re going to talk about here is varnish. Basically, this type of finish is applied more for its protective properties rather than its appearance. Varnishing provides wood with a tough coating and is versatile as it is possible to use both transparent and colored finishes.
Adding to the versatility of varnishing is the fact that varnishes are available in both water based and oil based options. If you opt for this process, you can also select between matte and gloss helping to make varnishing both an attractive and versatile wood finishing choice. Varnish is completely clear both before and after it’s applied.
Depending on its thickness, your furniture may be slightly more reflective one the varnish is applied, but it’s overall color and tone will remain the same. The primary advantage of using varnish is that it seals the hardwood, protecting it against moisture and humidity. This is why most people use it on outdoor hardwood furniture.
Lacquer
Similar to varnish, lacquer finish is also completely clear creating only a slight gloss once applied. Lacquer finish is generally applied for the sole purpose of protecting the hardwood against mildew, mold and other forms of moisture damage. In order for the furniture to remain protected against moisture, though, the finish must be reapplied when necessary. Lacquer, like all finishes, eventually wear and fade over time. Owners must take a proactive approach regarding their furniture’s finish application to keep it protected against moisture.
Staining & Dyeing
Some of the stain finishes offer a dark walnut color, while others are more light and subtle. The advantage if applying one of these to your hardwood furniture is that you can instantly change its appearance to match the rest of your furniture.
For instance, if you have one piece of living room furniture in a different color or tone than the rest, you can apply a stain finish to make it blend in more easily. Just be sure to choose a finish color that matches with rest of your furniture.
When it comes to getting the right look and having that look become permanent, staining is a stellar option. The reason is that staining literally soaks into the wood. Staining is also versatile as there are both water based and oil based staining options as well as different finish options such as gloss.
Need to keep your furniture’s finish looking great for years and years? One option is dyeing. Dyeing is available in both oil and water based options. And dyeing has a great-added bonus feature. With a dye finish, you can get the exact look you want.
You might be interested in exploring if you can use Pledge in your Amish furniture.
Want Gloss? Then Wax It!
If you are looking for an impressive level of gloss, then you might want to consider a wax finish. A wax finish provides a lot of gloss. But like eco-friendly options, a wax finish may need to be reapplied from time to time in order to stay effective and looking great.
Green Furniture Finishing from Beeswax to Tung Oil
All finishes are most definitely not the same. For example, there are very effective green wood finishes that have low VOCs and look great. The finishes range from beeswax and carnauba wax to oils such as linseed oil.
Linseed oil has long been used as a finish and like beeswax is very trusted. Two other effective and trusted oil eco-friendly oil choices are soybean oil and tung oil. Both linseed oil and tung oil work by penetrating into the wood and harden to a degree once applied which help them provide some protection. Those looking for very eco-friendly wood finish options will want to keep an eye out for finishes such as soybean oil and beeswax as they are literally derived from trusted food sources.
Going Green Has Advantages
Green wood finishes can produce great results and do so without using any harmful chemicals. One issue with wood finishes is that some options such as oil finishes can produce smells and odors; this factor shouldn’t be overlooked when selecting a finish.
However, while eco-friendly options have distinct advantages, it should be noted that eco-friendly finishes such as linseed oil require some maintenance, as they have to be reapplied from time to time. If you absolutely must have an ultra-low maintenance finish, then some eco-friendly options might not be for you.
Your Finishing Options-Weighing All of the Best Choices
In the end, finding the right blend of great looks and durability is a must have when it comes to wood finishes. Furniture is very personal; after all, we use our furniture to live our lives and look at it every day. No doubt these are a lot of options, and the diversity within these different options, such as oil versus water based finishes, gloss, eco-friendly and other options, can make selecting a final wood finish a tricky proposition.
The Right Wood Finish
The best wood finish for you is a careful blending of several key factors- practicality, health and durability. While beauty is a must when it comes to furniture finishes, so is practicality, health concerns and other factors. We have only touches on some of the furniture finishing options available. Shellac, lacquer, acrylic and urethane finishes are all possible choices and they all have their merits. When you opt for high end furniture, take a good look at the finishing options available to you and factor in which options are the best fit for your long-term needs and lifestyle.