Restoring furniture can be a challenging project and yet, it is often well worth the effort. Older pieces will naturally suffer wear and tear over time. Hand rests, legs and similar support structures can become damaged and need to be replaced. The real question involves the types of wood which are the most appropriate as well as the benefits associated with each. Let’s take a look at three popular choices.
White Ash
White ash has been used for centuries to create household items such as doors, windows and furniture. This primarily arises from the fact that it is commonly found within forests. Another advantage is that it is quite a soft material (ranked as “4” on a hardness scale of 1 to 5). It is therefore very easy to work with and white ash can be shaped into nearly any dimension imaginable.
Beech
As beech is not a very porous wood, it is often used when elements such as patio furniture and doors will be exposed to the elements. Beech also exhibits a subdued grain, so flat pieces appear rather clean and uniform. This wood is resilient if cared for properly and it can last for decades or longer.
Mahogany
Mahogany has been highly valued within the woodworking industry for decades, and for good reason. It is quite a hard material, so it can resist situations that might cause software woods to wear or splinter. The appearance of mahogany is also very attractive; displaying a deep reddish-brown hue. The wood can easily be stained and a single coat of lacquer will protect it from damage over time. The only potential drawback is that this wood is slightly more expensive; a small price to pay if you are restoring a valuable piece of furniture.
Determining the Type of Existing Wood
It is always wise to try and match the replacement wood with existing materials. There are many online resources which will provide imagery so that you can make an accurate comparison. However, what if the door or furniture is painted? In this case, it will likely need to first be stripped without sacrificing the materials underneath. You should therefore choose a professional door stripping service in order to ensure that the quality is never sacrificed. These technicians will also be able to shed some light on the type of wood that needs to be used; saving you time and effort in the long run.