Care & Maintenance

CHARACTERISTICS OF WOODEN FURNITURE

• Wooden furniture is an excellent choice and with regular maintenance will provide years of service. PBW offers a Beeswax & Orange Oil as regular maintenance, as well as touch-up kits designed to match our finishes, with our homemade wood resin.
• Due to natural variations in the wood, each product and finish may vary slightly. When exposed to sun, this can cause the finish to change overtime. Colour changes through time will occur when wood is exposed to all types of light (normal and man-made). It is the general nature of wood to darken over time, some species more than others. The finishing process does not hinder this aging process.
• You should expect variations in wood grain patterns and density. These variations are a vital part of the beauty of natural wood. The same stain applied to two pieces of the same wood species may result in somewhat different appearances (especially when comparing solid wood to veneers).
• Colour variations are caused by the assortment of minerals in the soil in which the tree was grown, rainfall, growing temperature, etc. All wood species can also exhibit sap runs, knots and pinholes in varying degrees.
• Changes in heat and humidity: Wood is an organic material and will react to large and or rapid variations in these conditions, resulting in material reactions that can consist of, but are not limited to: warping, growth, shrinkage, splitting, checking, discolouration, separation at the joints and decomposition of the adhesives and finish materials.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BARNWOOD

• Barn board’s surface is naturally textured and weathered by the elements, so the thickness of these boards is rarely uniform.
• The colour of barn board varies, depending on the type of exposure the siding experienced, and whether or not it was painted during its lifetime. Common colours of barn board are silver, grey, and brown.
• Knots, checking, nail holes, and ghosting (variations in surface texture due to long-term placement of objects on the building) are present in varying degrees, depending on the lot.
• Another important aspect of barn wood is, its extreme durability. Barn wood boards have already experienced the weather and time. When recycled into furniture this hard, dense wood translates into a furniture piece that can be enjoyed for years to come.
• Finally, one of the best elements to barn wood is that it has a ton of character elements that just are not there with new wood pieces. Old nail holes from use, worm damage and more all add to the character of the barn wood furniture piece.

CARE & MAINTENANCE

• Use a dry clean cloth to dust furniture weekly; dust is abrasive and can leave scratches that dull the finish. Dust also can attract moisture which can accumulate and soften the finish overtime.
• Wipe down with a regular dish cloth, using mild soap and water. Avoid using any harsh chemical products, as this can weaken the finish overtime. Use a soft dry cloth to dry surface.
• We suggest using trivets and coasters to prolong the life of the finish. However, spills do happen; wiping them up in a timely matter will protect stains and damages to the finish.
• Do not put hot items directly on the surface. Use trivets or placemats.
• Oiling your product with a natural wood oil will prolong the life of the product. Oiling more often during the dry cold seasons, and less often during the warm seasons. On Average, every 2 weeks to 1 month in the peak of Winter, and every 1-2 months in the peak of Summer. Of course, every year will vary climate wise. Using a natural oil is best, to avoid any harsh abrasives in products. Natural wood oils that are food safe are optimal.
• Keeping the humidity of the home between 30-50% is optimal for wooden furniture and its natural movement.
• Use a dry cloth to dust the leather seats on the chairs. You can use a natural leather oil to prolong the life of the leather. Oiling the leather seats every 6 months to a year is optimal.