Protecting Furniture and its Components
Furniture is one of the most precious possessions we have in our homes, so it makes perfect sense that we strive to protect their integrity and assure they will last for many years.
There are many things that can affect the durability and appearance of furniture. We not only have to be aware of our own influence on these goods, but maybe even more important, we have to keep in mind the natural conditions that could damage the materials that the furniture was built with.
Humidity – The silent furniture killer
It is not a secret that furniture has traditionally been made using mainly wood. This great material that has been a friend of humanity since the beginning has some natural disadvantages when compared to more modern resources.
Fluctuations in humidity levels can make wood expand and contract, this is why a series of treatments are usually applied to wood that will be used for furniture or architectural works; treatments include wax coating, gloss paint, gloss varnish, polyurethane wood sealing, etc.
Of course modern furniture is made with all this in mind, but efforts to protect wood are not infallible. Besides, other materials are also affected by humidity, so make sure to get furnishings that are made to last. I always recommend going for leather or a very durable fabric like micro-fiber.
Lastly, be careful when moving furniture as the different components of the item can collide with each other making marks and dents or change, even if slightly, the structure of the object which more times than not is irreversible.
