Distinction Between Restoration and Refinishing

You might have noticed for the last few years how old and worn your cherished upholstered couch has become. If you are planning to call in a professional to do some restoration or refinishing work on the decrepit piece of furniture, the first thing that you need to know is what these two terms 'restoration' and 'refinishing' actually mean. Here you will find some information that might turn out to be helpful for you:

Restoration

In the realm of furniture repairs, restoration is used for referring to an act that aims at making an item look as good as new with cleanup, replacement of dilapidated parts, physical repairs, and other cosmetic alterations. People generally opt for a full-fledged restoration service when they want to salvage a furniture piece of historical or sentimental significance. When asking for this service, it is important for you to realise that a great amount of work would go into the whole process for achieving what is desired. In addition to that, do not try to make haste or else the entire work would be for nothing but complete waste of time and money. Moreover, the same approach would not be used for two different items if there are more than one furniture piece that need to be rescued. While seeking help from experts dealing with furniture repair and reupholstery in Sydney, make sure that you discuss about your specifications thoroughly with them. It would help them to form an idea as to what you want to do with the item.

Refinishing

Refinishing generally involves stripping the furniture item of its existing finish. If the piece is made of wood, a chemical stripper would be normally used. Once that task has been taken care of, the item would be sanded, then stained and finally refinished. When you ask for a refinishing service, you will have to recognise the fact that your piece may either retain all of its integral value or lose some of it in the process. Therefore, make sure that you do your research meticulously and hire a professional who is experienced and well-versed with their work.

Exceptions

Refinishing is generally a more intricate work than restoration, regardless of the fact that some people may use both terms interchangeably for describing the same thing. A few even consider refinishing as some particular kind of restoration. However, if you have a furniture that you want to restore or refinish, first make sure you communicate your requirements carefully to the furniture contractor that you hire and then ask the professional to do what you want – only way you will be able to avoid such confusions.