The change in how we handle reclaimed barn wood over the last five years is huge

I just finished a job in Knoxville using some old oak beams from a 1920s barn. Five years back, we'd just sand it down, slap on a coat of poly, and call it a day. Now, the client wanted it wire brushed to keep the texture, then sealed with a hardwax oil that soaks in. The final look is totally different, way more of that rough, old feel instead of a smooth, shiny finish. It took about twice as long to prep, but the wood looks alive, not plastic. Is this the new normal for high end work, or are some of you still getting asked for the glass-smooth finish?

2 comments

2 Comments

casey1451d ago

My last DIY project looked like a kindergartner with a crayon.

laura9401d ago

Honestly, that glass-smooth finish is still what most of my clients ask for. They want that clean, protected surface that's easy to wipe down, especially for kitchen tables or bar tops. A lot of people see the rough texture as just collecting dust and crumbs. The poly might look like plastic to us, but to them it looks like a durable, finished piece of furniture.