Source: Kay Robinson via Pinterest

A question that I often hear from my clients is what type of wood finish to select, and the answer really depends on how they plan on using the piece of furniture. When it comes to wood finishes, there are so many different options to consider: waxes, oils, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers and water based finishes. Each finish can offer you different advantages, such as providing more durability or a surface that is easy to clean; however, there is not one finish that is considered to be the best in all areas.

To help you determine which wood finish best suits your needs, I’ve provided a quick overview of some of the options below:

• Wax: Typically, wax is not used as the sole finish. Instead, it is often applied over a second finish, such as a lacquer or shellac, to polish the finish.
• The True Oils: The most commonly used true oils are linseed oil and tung oil. These drying oils are often used for wood finishes as they are readily available, affordable, and easy to use.
• Varnishes: This finish is similar to one that you would get if using a true oil, but tends to offer more durability, especially in regards to water and heat.
• Shellacs: Shellacs are widely available and come in several different varieties. The main benefit to using a shellac is that it will help keep your wood furniture resistant to water.
• Lacquers: If there was one finish that woodworkers felt offered the most benefits, it would be a lacquer because it offers additional depth and richness to the wood and provides the necessary durability.

Please feel free to contact me, Richard Oedel, to talk about which wood finish is ideal for your wood furniture.