Our Furniture Finishes

Overview

Vermont Woods Studios furniture is carefully finished with coatings that are clear, gentle and non-toxic. They are prepared to enhance the natural beauty of the wood and provide optimal protection for your wood furniture against the effects of moisture and normal wear. Finishes include natural linseed oil and wax, natural linseed oil enhanced with protective poly gel, low VOC lacquers, and even a custom whey-based natural varnish developed by the University of Vermont and Vermont Natural Coatings.

Our furniture is crafted from a variety of workshops across Vermont and each furniture maker has their own time-tested favorite finishes. The following are our most popular furniture finishes.

Hand-Rubbed Linseed Oil and Wax Finishes

The furniture in our Modern American Furniture, Contemporary Craftsman Furniture and Modern Shaker Furniture Collections has a traditional hand-rubbed oil and wax finish comprised of many coats of natural linseed oils that condition the wood, provide moisture resistance and enhance the natural color and beauty of the wood.  This finish produces a beautiful, rich patina but it does not seal the wood like the other finishes below. It is necessary to apply oil upon delivery and re-apply the oil periodically in order to maintain moisture resistance and the soft, supple feel that Vermont furniture has traditionally been famous for. We recommend re-applying oil once a day for the first week, once a week for the first month, once a month for the first year and once a year thereafter. The rich patina of natural wood is enhanced by frequent oiling, and several coats build up a protective layer. The final decision regarding how often to use oil is yours but we do advise that frequent re-oiling results in a deeper, richer, color. Please see our furniture care page for more information.

Hand-Rubbed Linseed Oil and Poly Gel Blend Finishes

The furniture in our Cherry Moon, American Shaker and Vermont-Made Shaker Collections has a hand-rubbed finish comprised of natural linseed oils that condition the wood and poly gel that protects the wood from moisture. The tops of case goods receive a 3 coat finish: the base coat is a blend of linseed oil and poly gel, the next 2 coats are straight poly gel. Sides of case goods have 3 coats of linseed oil, with no poly gel. Dining table tops receive 5 coats of poly gel over the initial coat (a blend of linseed oil and poly gel). This blend of natural oil and poly gel offers a look and feel of natural oil, while providing greater resistance to spills and humidity changes. Care and maintenance of this furniture collection is easy.  Tops of tables and case goods require routine dusting only.  For sides of case goods and table legs, we do recommend application of linseed or lemon oil upon delivery and then about 1-3 times/year, depending on the humidity in your home.

Maintenance Free Finishes
Cherry	Maple	Oak	Walnut

Lacquer Finishes

Our other furniture collections are finished with a clear, non-toxic, low VOC lacquer. This is a low-sheen, matte finish which is very durable and easily maintained. It is proven to resist damage from common household liquids (contact us for data and details about our spill testing). The lacquer finish does not require re-oiling or maintenance and is very resistant to moisture and spills. It is a clear, non-toxic finish that is smooth to the touch but not shiny. It is very durable while showcasing the natural beauty of the wood: a logical choice for families with young children.

Which Furniture Finish Is Recommended?

Each furniture product description includes the type of finish recommended and provided as a standard finish for that piece. Please contact us if you have questions on our standard finishes or to discuss alternative custom finishing options.

Wood samples are available (for a small charge that is refunded on purchase) if you wish to see and feel a particular wood species/finish up close.

When you purchase our furniture we will provide easy furniture-care instructions specific to your items. Be sure to keep these instructions handy and follow them consistently throughout the life of the furniture.

Custom Furniture Finishes

Our Custom Artisan Furniture pieces as well as our Reclaimed Barnwood Furniture pieces are each unique and custom finishes are selected after a detailed consultation between the client and artisan.

Custom finishes are also available on any of our furniture items as we understand that many fine furniture buyers have a specific finish in mind for their furniture. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss our finishes and custom alternatives in greater detail. We do offer wood stains, all-natural oils, Vermont Natural Coatings finishes and many other custom finishes that can be applied to your furniture for an upcharge, typically between 10 and 20%.

Background Info on Solvent Finishes

This is a very general term that applies to any number of finish types including Varnishes, Lacquers, Shellacs and Paints. In this type of finish a solid component or resin is carried to the product by a liquid solvent. As the finish cures the solvent evaporates and a solid film of resin settles on the surface of the piece. This creates a hard, protective coat that is durable and, depending on the properties of the finish, can offer aesthetic enhancements as well. In the furniture industry, the majority of all clear top coats are some form of lacquer. The term lacquer implies that the resin is derived from Nitrocellulose fibers and can be subdivided into two main subgroups: Conventional and Catalyzed.

Conventional Lacquers provide durable albeit not superior protection. If there is such a thing as a furniture industry standard, conventional lacquers are it. Manufacturers opt for these finishes due to their relative ease of application and their highly forgiving nature. Typically a manufacturer will apply many layers of finish until they have built up a thick coating which can then be buffed into a high gloss. The resin is soft enough that it takes easily to this process. This allows the manufacturer to take fewer precautions with regard to airborne dust in the factory and runs in the finish. They know that errors of this nature can be easily repaired with buffing.

The main limitations of conventional lacquers are: only moderate protection and a somewhat artificial look and feel. Compared to their catalyzed relatives, conventional lacquers offer limited durability and protection. They are comparatively soft and susceptible to water damage. The thick buildup can also make a surface seem to be synthetic or 'plastic'. Depending on the raw materials used to build the furniture this may not be a problem however with solid wood customers have the expectation that the finish look and feel as natural as possible.

Catalyzed Lacquers are another thing entirely. They are known as "reactive" finishes, meaning an acidic additive acts as a catalyst, causing resins to cross-link upon curing. This creates a much more durable and moisture-resistant coating than with non-catalyzed finishes. Because they are so much harder than conventional lacquers, they can be applied with only a few thin coats resulting in the most natural look and feel possible.