The Importance Of Finishing

Author: R. Santhosh

Whenever we talk about furniture, wood is the first material that comes to our mind. Both hardwood as well as the softwood constitutes a major part in the furniture making process. Moreover, wood veneering has been one of the major choices for the making different wood furniture pieces. Wood Veneer Suppliers In Tamil Nadu offer the best quality wood veneer. A good finishing can enhance the appearance of the wood surface and protect its natural look. Finishing can do wonder and turn an ordinary piece of furniture into an extra ordinary one. The three important reasons for finishing veneer wood is cleaning, stabilizing and decorating.

The Importance Of Finishing
  • Sanitation – Wood is a natural and porous product with countless holes of different sizes. These holes can easily accumulate dirt and dust from the atmosphere besides contaminants and other food particles. Due to which, the surface can look grimy and create a breeding space for bacteria. Finishing seals the pore surface making it easier to clean and less susceptible to staining.
  • Stabilization: Wood is not only porous but also hygroscopic, which means it can easily absorb and release the moisture content. Wood readily reacts to the changes around the environment. Hence, if we put the wood in an area of high humidity then it will swell but if we put it in a dry area then it will shrink subsequently. Coating or finishing limits the moisture exchange in wood stabilizing it against dry and wet environments. It prevents splits, warps and joint failure.
  • Decoration: Finishing not only stabilize wood or protect it from getting dirty but also make it look attractive and beautiful. In order to decorate the wood furniture, many attractive wood finishes can be used. Even oiling and wax finish will decorate the wooden furniture. Wood decoration is done in three ways, which are color, texture and sheen.
      • Staining is the common process of applying color to the wood. Applying color in between the finishing coats is glazing. The other way of doing it is by shading or toning.
      • The natural texture of the wood is dependent upon the number of pores in the wood. A thin finish would retain its look and keep the texture intact. One can choose from thin varnish, lacquer, shellac, or water base films.
      • Filling the pores is a way by which the texture of the wood can be completely changed. Paste-wood filler is most commonly used for filling the pores of wood.
      • The amount of gloss in finish is known as sheen. The sheen can be high-gloss, fault or satin. Rubbing and polishing is the way by which required gloss can be achieved.

The finishing process can be smelly and messy but still there are reasons for finishing the wood surface. But, for achieving the best finish, you just need to select the best finishing method. These days, several Wood Veneer Manufacturers provide different finishes as per the requirement of the customers.