Some people believe that it is best to strip the wood and
refinish whereas other people believe that it is better to preserve the wood
and all of the imperfections and stains that have appeared over the years. It
all depends on what the user is looking for but there is an argument that
preserving the wood in as natural a state as possible is the best way to
maintain its value. If you are solely interested in the look of the furniture,
you have more freedom to care for wooden furniture but if you are concerned
about preserving the antique look and feel of the furniture, you should look to
preserve the historical nature as much as possible.
Be aware of what damages wood
It can be useful to know what damages timber mouldings as this will help
you to avoid these problems. You should be mainly concerned about handling your
wood in an incorrect manner and the problem that environmental issues may have
upon your wood. You may have been under the impression that more modern issues
will have presented more reasons to be cautious but it is usually the
traditional elements that have caused problems when it comes to looking after
wooden furniture.
You may be shocked to learn that wood can be very damaging
for wood and the longer wood is exposed to consistent light, the bigger an
impact it will have on it. The impact that light has on wood is irreversible so
it is best to place any wooden furniture away from windows. The light can make
light woods turn darker and it can create a bleach like effect on darker woods.
It can also impact on the finish on the surface, resulting in your wooden
furniture looking discoloured or brittle. While there are many treatments
available for wooden furniture, it is always best to keep it out of the light
wherever you can.
You should also be aware of the fact that wood is porous and
is made from cellulose, which means that wood is very vulnerable to humidity.
When the level of humidity is on the increase, the wood in the furniture will
absorb the water and expand a little, when the level of humidity falls,
moisture will escape from the wood, causing it to shrink. Changes in humidity
can cause your wooden furniture to crack or split, while wooden furniture that
is constantly exposed to a higher level of humidity will be at greater risk of
mould.
You should also be aware of the fact that wooden furniture
is at risk of insect infestations. If you spot any sawdust or sawdust like
substance around your wooden furniture or wooden architraves, you should carry out a thorough
examination of your furniture or hire someone that knows what they are looking
for. An insect infested chair or table can save become a liability, putting the
user at risk.
Anytime that you look to move wooden furniture, you should
aim to lift it at the strongest point. You should ensure that you lift as
opposed to drag wooden furniture because dragging wooden furniture places the
legs and feet under a high level of stress.
Looking after wooden furniture is commonly about using
common sense but never be afraid to ask the professionals for assistance.
