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Have you thought of what protects wooden surfaces from moisture and other external factors? Wood finishes are the ones that help in protecting wooden furniture surfaces. They are different from painting because wood finishes improve and enhance the appearance of the wooden surface. On the contrary, paintings hide the original wooden surface and mask it completely. The term finish will represent various coats used by a professional carpenter Chennai. In the article below, we have compiled information on the common kinds of wood finishes.
Wood is classified into hardwood, softwood and engineered wood. The hardwoods are Sheesham, Teak, Mahogany and Oak, whereas softwoods are Pine and Cedar. Hardwoods are rougher and denser in texture when compared to softwoods. Hardwoods come from flowering trees, and these trees usually take a longer time to grow. Softwoods come from coniferous trees and do not have a prominent natural grain like hardwoods. On the other hand, engineered wood is made with sawdust, wood fibre, glue, and resin. The most popular engineered wood is particleboard, plywood and medium-density fibreboard.
When choosing the type of wood or engineered wood, you have to analyse which wood works best for you. A few factors to consider while deciding on the wood type are its thickness, moisture content, weather conditions, usage, budget, etc. However, any wood will require some finishing or the other with the help of an experienced carpenter Chennai.
Wood finishes are highly recommended for any furniture and consist of adding a liquid to the wood’s surface. An experienced carpenter Chennai applies two to three coats of wood finishes on both old and new furniture. The wood finish is of two types, namely:
When the wood has a distinct grain, it is always better not to cover up the natural beauty of the wood with an opaque layer. This is why a professional carpenter Chennai uses clear finishes to protect and coat grain-covered wood surfaces. Clear wood finishes are available in high gloss and matt and provide great protection against weather conditions. It also acts as UV protection and is therefore great for outdoor furniture.
Also Read: An Ultimate Guide to Types of Carpentry Work
Dyes and stains are wood finishes that saturate the surface of the wood with a translucent layer. Unlike paints which apply a layer of colour to the wooden surface, dyes and stains do not alter the shade of the wood. They retain the natural grain texture and are available in nine translucent shades. The available shades are Teak, Charcoal, Red Brown, Green, Walnut, Red, Wenge, Rosewood, and Oak Yellow. A good carpenter Chennai uses these solvent-based dyes and stains widely as they are easy to apply and take only thirty minutes to dry.
As engineered wood always has an unfinished appearance, it needs to be coated decoratively. Wood veneer sheets are thin sheets of natural solid wood placed on the engineered wood with the help of glue. In order to get the look of natural wood, they have to ensure that the layers properly adhere. The application process must be done with precision such that the edges of the sheets are well hidden, and the grain patterns are lined up appropriately. Wood veneers have a plethora of designs to choose from, and they are used in various items like:
A professional carpenter Chennai will be able to replace the wood veneers if they get scratched or damaged. You should understand that wooden veneers cannot be repaired or sanded and do not work with carved or intricate detailing. Most importantly, veneers are not suitable for rounded and curved edges.
Laminates are artificial materials made from plastic and paper resins that are glued and then hard-pressed into thin sheets. There are a variety of colours, textures and finishes in laminates which can replicate materials like leather, metal, stone and wood. Laminates are less expensive than veneers and recommended by any best carpenter Chennai for projects with a budget constraint. Most importantly, laminates are easy to maintain and are water, scratch and heat-resistant. These decorative overlays are available in various thicknesses ranging from 0.6 mm to 1.5 mm and can be designed to be either highly glossy or matte. Laminates are ideal for places and furniture that experience high traffic like the living room furniture, flooring, and wet areas like bathroom cabinetry, kitchen shelf and bedroom wardrobe. Just like manmade wooden veneers, laminates also have to be completely replaced if they get damaged.
Acrylics are an expensive option and provide a luxe finish to the wooden surface. Acrylics are made as a high gloss finish which is more long-lasting and durable than most other wooden finishes. They are lightweight and are produced from polymer fibre. Acrylics are available in a wide range of colour options and are ideal for finishing bathrooms and kitchens as these areas require frequent cleaning. An experienced carpenter Chennai will suggest this wooden finish for places or homes that do not have pets and kids as they get scratched easily. Even dirt, stains and fingerprints are shown on acrylic surfaces clearly.
Now that you know about the various types of wood and finishes, you can effortlessly choose the ones that suit your requirements. FastHelp home services Chennai have highly skilled carpenters to provide the best wooden finish for all your needs. We ensure that our work is of top quality and render the best service for everyone at the most reasonable price.