The Relationship Between Sheenand Scratches: How to minimize Visible Damage
When you offer a luxury home-away-from-home experience, your guests expect
perfection. But traffic volume inevitably leads to wear and tear—and the wood and
finish you use dramatically impact the visibility and depth of scratches.
In this article, we'll look at the best sheen for hospitality furniture and how to minimize
visible damage to your wood surfaces while offering an amazing guest experience.
What Causes Wood Scratches?
Scratches on wood floors, tables, and furniture are a common problem. They occur
when sharp or abrasive objects slide along the wood surface, causing damage. Common
causes include rings, keys, grit under a mug or glass, or metal sewed into luggage or clothing.
Even the most durable wood surfaces will eventually experience some scratching, but
you can minimize their visibility through your choice of woods and finishes.
The Hardness of Wood Makes a Difference
The J anka test for wood measures the force needed to embed a .444-inch steel ball
halfway into the wood. This is an essential consideration in hospitality furniture
because softer woods allow deeper scratches. Instead of simply scratching the
finish, a deeper scratch may "dent" softer wood, crushing the wood fibers and making
it harder to keep it looking great.
For example, red oak is harder on the J anka scale than yellow birch, but heart pine is
harder than black walnut, even though pine (not heart) is a relatively softer wood. Some
very hard woods, like maple or hickory, can be susceptible to water, an additional
consideration for some hospitality furnishings
The Four Wood Finish Sheens
There are many levels of gloss, with each measured by a numeric value. The types of
sheen fall into four general categories:
§ Matte (flat): Very low sheen with little to no reflective qualities but also tends to be
less durable.
§ Satin: Reflects a minimal amount of light.
§ Semigloss: A shiny finish that reflects more light than the satin finish. Easy to clean
and more durable than matte.
§ Gloss: High-gloss sheen offers the most drama. The increased concentration of
resins reflects a lot of light but can also amplify imperfections. It is also easy to clean,
but damage and marks are evident
How Does Sheen Impact Scratches?
While there are advantages and disadvantages to every level of sheen, the higher light
deflection of the shinier finishes makes scratches more visible. With a gleaming and
reflective surface, every mark is easier to see.
A lower sheen finish already deflects light in many directions. This low reflectivity makes
the scratch less obvious to the eye when a scratch occurs. At the same time, a very lowsheen surface can be less durable
Higher Sheen Wood Finishes Are More Difficult To Repair
There are advantages to using a glossy sheen on your furniture, but it's important to
understand that these finishes are more difficult to repair.
Repairing higher-sheen wood finishes requires extensive sanding and finishing expertise.
Additionally, repairs need to be performed in a favorable environment. Otherwise, dust or
surface contamination may create imperfections during the repair
How To Choose the Right Wood Finish Sheen for Your Project
Sheen is defined as the amount of light reflected from a surface, but the finish you choose
for your furnishings will also impact the visibility of damage over time. For example, lacquers
tend to be more scratch-resistant than varnishes because they adhere better to the surface
of the wood.
As you select the right sheen for your design, it's vital to consider its use and the amount
of traffic it will experience. A high-sheen finish can be easier to clean, but it will show scratches
much more quickly than a low-sheen, matte finish.
For example, a wood sconce that will be out of the way and more for decoration than use
might do very well with a high gloss finish, while a table top that will see heavy use may need
a beautiful and luxurious satin finish for a natural and more durable appearance. On some
surfaces, clear protective layers over the finish can further deflect visible wear and tear, creating
a durable wood finish that looks great for years to come
How To Choose the Right Wood Finish Sheen for Your Project
There is no single most durable wood finish for all surfaces and purposes. Selecting the best sheen for hospitality furniture requires a close look at its use and location in the hotel. Our team of experts is here to help you choose the suitable wood, finish, and sheen for your project. If you have any questions, connect with us