Refinishing wood furniture is a cost-effective way to restore its beauty and give it new life. However, not every piece is worth the time, effort, or expense.
Whether you’ve inherited a vintage piece or found a second-hand bargain, knowing if wood furniture is worth refinishing is essential.
This guide will explain the key considerations, from assessing the material to understanding the cost and labour involved.
Let’s get straight to the point.
To decide if wood furniture is worth refinishing, assess the type of wood (solid wood is ideal, veneer is risky), check for structural integrity, and evaluate surface damage.
Solid, well-crafted antique and vintage pieces are usually worth the effort, especially if they have sentimental or historical value.
Refinishing can restore beauty and extend the furniture’s lifespan, but the cost and effort should be considered, especially for repair-heavy items. For complex projects, hiring a professional may be the best option.
Types Of Wood Furniture Are Worth Refinishing
The type of wood used is one of the most crucial aspects when deciding whether to refinish wood furniture.
This can greatly affect the furniture’s durability and ability to withstand refinishing. Let’s explore the key factors that can help determine if your piece of wood furniture is worth restoring.
Solid Wood Vs. Veneer
First, you’ll want to assess whether the furniture is solid wood or veneer. This distinction is crucial because solid wood tends to be more durable and can withstand refinishing better than veneer, which is more delicate.
Solid Wood:
- Durability: Solid wood furniture is usually heavier and sturdier. It can be sanded down, stained, or refinished multiple times over its lifespan without losing its structural integrity.
- Refinishing: The thickness of solid wood allows for deeper sanding and more flexibility in choosing stains or finishes. Solid wood can be restored to its former glory even if a piece has scratches or gouges.
- Longevity: Solid wood furniture, especially older pieces, was often built to last generations. Therefore, it is generally worth refinishing, especially if it has sentimental or historical value.
Veneer:
- Limitations for Refinishing: Veneer is much more sensitive to refinishing processes. Aggressive sanding or stripping can easily damage the thin wood layer, potentially exposing the lower-quality core material underneath.
- Peeling and Lifting: Veneer is prone to peeling or lifting, especially if old or exposed to humidity. This can make refinishing more challenging and, in some cases, not worth the effort. However, if the veneer is in good condition, a light refinishing might improve the piece.
Antique And Vintage Furniture
Antique (typically 100 years or older) and vintage (generally 20–100 years old) wood furniture is often worth refinishing, primarily due to its craftsmanship and historical value.
Antique Furniture:
- Craftsmanship: Many antique pieces were handmade by skilled craftsmen using high-quality, solid wood. The attention to detail and construction methods make these pieces far more durable than modern furniture.
- Materials: Older furniture tends to be made from premium hardwoods such as oak, walnut, mahogany, and cherry. These woods have aged beautifully over time and are prime candidates for refinishing.
- Value: Refinishing antique furniture can preserve or increase its value if done carefully.
Vintage Furniture:
- Durability: Many vintage pieces, particularly those from the early to mid-20th century, are well-constructed and often made from solid wood. These pieces were built when manufacturers prioritised quality materials and craftsmanship, even in mass production.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Vintage furniture often features distinctive design elements from periods like Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, or Arts and Crafts. Refinishing these pieces can enhance their beauty and restore their original charm.
- Considerations: If a vintage piece has become unsafe or unstable, it may require more extensive restoration work, such as re-gluing or replacing hardware. The cost of repairs might be worth it, especially if the piece is of high quality or sentimental value.
Assessing The Condition Of The Furniture
Check For Structural Damage
The first step in assessing a piece of furniture is to inspect it for structural damage. A solid structure is key to ensuring that refinishing efforts will be successful and long-lasting.
Even the most beautiful refinished surface won’t matter if the furniture falls apart. Structural integrity involves checking all the furniture’s joints, connections, and foundational elements to ensure it is sturdy and usable.
Signs of Structural Damage to Look For:
- Loose Joints or Legs
- Large Cracks or Splits
- Severe Warping
- Missing Pieces
Can Structural Damage Be Repaired?
- If the structural issues are repairable, consider the cost and effort involved. For example, re-gluing joints or replacing missing parts can be time-consuming, and hiring a professional to make these repairs can become costly.
- In some cases, the structural damage may be too severe to justify refinishing. If a piece is no longer functionally sound, restoring it may not be worth the investment.
Is There Surface Damage?
Surface damage is more common and typically less severe than structural issues. However, it’s important to evaluate the extent of the surface damage before deciding to refinish.
Surface issues like scratches and worn finishes can often be addressed relatively easily, but more significant problems like deep gouges or water damage might require more intensive work.
Types of Surface Damage to Consider:
- Scratches and Dings
- Worn Finishes
- Deep Gouges or Scratches
- Water Damage
- Sun Damage
Can Surface Damage Be Repaired?
- Minor surface damage can usually be corrected during refinishing, making the piece look as good as new.
- It is critical to weigh the repair cost against the piece’s value. A piece with sentimental or historical value may be worth the extra effort.
Tools And Materials Needed For Refinishing
Refinishing requires a few essential tools and materials. While you can do this yourself, you must invest in the proper equipment.
Basic Tools
- Sandpaper or a sanding block
- Scrapers for removing old finishes
- Paint or stain
- Varnish or polyurethane for sealing
Protective Equipment
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- A mask to protect from dust and fumes
Consider Hiring A Professional
It may be worth hiring a professional if you need more tools or confidence to tackle the refinishing process.
Experienced furniture restorers can assess the piece and offer expert advice on whether it’s worth refinishing.
Step-By-Step Refinishing Process
If you’ve determined that your wood furniture is worth refinishing, here is a general guide on how to get started.
Step 1: Clean The Furniture
Before doing anything else, thoroughly clean the piece with water and mild soap. This will remove dirt and grime, allowing you to assess the condition of the furniture better.
Step 2: Strip The Finish
Remove the old finish using a chemical stripper or a sanding block. Be cautious when working with veneer, as overspending can damage the thin wood layer.
Step 3: Sand The Wood
Once the old finish is removed, the furniture should be sanded with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface and prepare it for a new finish.
Step 4: Apply Stain Or Paint
Choose a stain or paint based on the look you want to achieve. If unsure, test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure you like the colour.
Step 5: Seal The Furniture
Finally, a clear varnish or polyurethane is applied to protect the wood and enhance its natural beauty.
Conclusion
Determining whether wood furniture is worth refinishing depends on several factors, including the type of wood, structural condition, and sentimental or historical value.
Solid wood and well-crafted vintage or antique pieces are generally excellent candidates for refinishing, while veneer or structurally damaged furniture may not be worthwhile.
Refinishing can restore beauty, enhance durability, and extend a piece’s life, but it’s important to weigh the costs of materials and labour, especially if repairs are needed. When in doubt, consulting a professional can help ensure a successful restoration.
FAQs About Wood Furniture
What Is The Best Australian Wood Furniture?
It’s no exaggeration to say that figured Otway blackwood is Australia’s premier furniture wood. It is similar to Tasmanian blackwood, although typically much paler in tone. Golden blackwood and Victorian blackwood are other names for this wood.
Is Real Wood Furniture Expensive?
Because solid wood construction materials have yet to be engineered or made from the scraps of other components, they are considerably more expensive, especially when you start to talk about larger dimensions – the kinds you’ll need to build tables, bookcases, desks, and more.
What Wood Is Expensive For Furniture In Australia?
Jarrah is more expensive than the other forms of Engineered timbers, but its beautiful colour, which varies from light to very dark reds and browns, makes it the most popular choice. Jarrah turns grey when left unsealed, and its durability range is 2, which makes it fire resistant so that you can place it in fire-prone areas.
What Is The Most Popular Wood In Australia?
The most common species in Australia is eucalyptus. Within the species, many sub-species have very different properties, including colour and grain patterns.
Common ones include Tasmanian Oak (cream), blackbutt (pale brown), spotted gum (mid-brown), and Jarrah (red).
Which Is Better, Wood Or Furniture?
Quality wood furniture is stronger than packed flat in a box and lasts years. It’ll also look much better for much longer than cheaply-made furniture like a thin hardwood veneer affixed to a lighter, less expensive wood like plywood.
