JC Wood Blog

Restore Wood Surfaces on Furniture, Doors, and Millwork

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Wooden exterior treatment to a commercial or residential building conveys an earthy, environmentally friendly appearance.  But there are certain idiosyncrasies that go along with wood siding or paneling.  Weathered-look wood is much different than weathered wood.  The latter means that the wood components are in a state of decay,which can lead to moisture damage and potentially mold. Refinishing wood can protect the look and preserve the finish. 

A weather-tight environment and structural integrity should at the top of a facility manager’s priority list. Therefore, maintaining exterior/interior wood surfaces on a regular basis should be made a priority.

The process of how a finish protects a building is not always fascinating... but it's essential for facility managers or building owners to understand.

Clear or solid color finishes are comprised of several chemicals, one of which us considered a “vehicle”. The “vehicle” might be water solvent or oil, and once it has evaporated from the finish, what remains are the “solids”. The “solids” then have to protect the surface on their own. Higher quality finishes contain a larger amount of solids, so the combination of a better finish with multiple coats will increase the protection significantly. 

 
Today's finishes are lead-free and that’s both good and bad news – good from a health standpoint, bad from a performance point of view. Modern finishing systems typically last no more than five years for exposed woodwork, so unless the facility is on a five-year restoration schedule, the necessary protective coating may need to be maintained.

Peeling finish and exposed wood is an indication that the wood is in decay. Wood is an inexpensive and easy-to-install material, but it requires more maintenance than other materials. A periodic finishing schedule is important to maintain the wood - so treating or recoating at least every five years – this recommendation cannot be underscored enough.