School furniture suppliers in Australia use different types of wood furniture finishes to increase the durability and appearance of wood furniture. Read on to learn more about different types of wood furniture finishes.
Wax
If you want a beautiful design then a wax finish will be the best place to start. Wax enhances the natural pores and grains of wood with a soft lustre that won't yellow over time. Wax doesn’t seep into wood or penetrate the wood but provides a protective coating. This preserves the wood in its natural colour without oxidizing it. It doesn’t intensify the wood. This is why wax is used as a topcoat together with oil.
If you want a perfect finish for your statement piece of wood that won’t be exposed to excessive wear and tear then wax is the best option for your needs. However, wax also comes with some drawbacks. Wax gives a few minutes of resistance to clean up spills but lacks protection from scratches, heat or dents. Wax should also be invigorated yearly with a buff. Bearing this in mind, wax is best used on low-wear items. It might not be the best solution for your school furniture since these types of furniture undergo heavy use.
Soap
Soap is less commonly used but it is a creative alternative to wax. Similar to wax, natural soap flax mixed with water will create a soft-to-touch finish with a grey or white cast. Your educational furniture suppliers may use soap on light woods like ash, maple or white oak as the grains and rich colours of dark woods would be obscured by a soap coat. Although this finish does not wear well to heat, scratches or water exposure, it is simple to rebuff and repair every six months. It is a safe option for home use but it may not be excellent for school furniture.
Oil
This is the finish of choice for woodworkers. Oil finishes have been in use for hundreds of years and have been used to bring out the natural beauty of wood and protect the wood. Most commonly found in two main varieties – tung and linseed. These drying oils penetrate the wood. As oil is hand applied into the wood, it leaves a luxurious and natural finish that highlights the dimensions and depth of wood grains. Most oil coats will give your pieces of furniture some moisture resistance.
As with soap and wax, oil is not as protective from scratches as other finishes but if you are willing to invest energy and time into proper maintenance then oil will be a good option.
Conclusion
School furniture suppliers find it challenging to find the right finish. There are a lot of options out there and each comes with its drawbacks and benefits. They can be combined and layered to capitalize on multiple finish types strengths. The finish you use should depend on the protection the piece requires, the look you wish to achieve and the level of maintenance and care you will expend.
