In the current property market it appears that a house which shows age and character is popular with those interested in buying. Original woodworked features like beams, doors, door frames, windows and roof lanterns all bring a feeling of heritage and old-fashioned homeliness, as well as being pleasing to the eye. Also, original wooden features with bespoke joinery can increase the value of a property, as some of the woodwork cannot be found in newer housing. For this reason, as well as for aesthetics, home owners need to keep these original wood features in the best possible condition. However, wear and tear can occur over the years and cause damage to the wood, but wood restoration services are available, and if the damage is too much you can even replace your wooden features with convincing substitutes.
You might attempt a DIY job on restoring your wood, by sanding and re-varnishing, but sometimes it helps to call in the professionals, especially if the job is bigger and the wood is more weathered. Replacement windows and their frames should always be handled by a professional, especially timber windows. Virtually all types of wooden feature can be repaired by a professional, and companies will mostly concentrate on one area of construction; for example they may focus on structural restoration such as window frames, or alternatively they may specialise in custom made furniture.
The process of wood restoration will begin with repairing the wood’s facade; this usually involves whatever paint or varnish it is coated with being stripped from its surface. All furniture and other objects will have to be cleared away from the area so no damage is caused to them by the chemicals used in the restoration process, and the area will need to be well ventilated. The wood will be stripped and cleaned section by section, to ensure that the job is done accurately. Chemical solvents or water are used to scrub the wood in order to make sure that all the finish is removed from the wood’s pores, it is then wiped down and cleaned up, removing any debris that has been created as a result of the stripping.
The wood then needs to be prepared for a new finish to be applied. The wood needs to be sanded a little to apply an even surface, and all repairs to the wood such as adding new pieces or filling in holes, are performed at this point. Any new wood added will have to match the existing wood in species, colour and texture. The wood is then sanded once more to create a smooth, workable surface.
For any finishing that is applied, it is important a test sample is made with the existing wood so that you can be sure you will be happy with the result. Initial colours are laid with a stain, and then the wood will be sealed and a topcoat applied. A tint or glaze will then be applied to the wood, which blends any colour differences, and at this stage the restorer could use artist’s brushes to create any effects you might want on the wood. The final stage will be an application of the topcoat, which is applied in several layers and sanded in between each of those, providing an even sheen.
When the work is finished, all masking will be removed and the wood will be given a polish or wax. You will then be left with your wooden interior features looking as good as new, but without losing any of their original character and charm.