Preventing and Repairing Damage in Wood Panelling

Naturally you want to preserve the look of your wood panelling forever. So it’s helpful to take steps to prevent damage. However, over time, it’s likely it will sustain a scratch, ding, dent or some other type of damage requiring fixing to restore its looks. There are a few things you can do to address these mishaps, depending on the type of wood panelling you have.

Preventing damage to wood panelling

• Use harder woods
• Use wood mouldings 

Wood comes in varying degrees of softness and hardness. Soft woods come from the conifer family: pine, spruce, cedar and fir. These woods are lighter and not as dense and so are more prone to scratches, dents, and dings. Hardwoods, on the other hand, come from deciduous trees like maple, walnut, birch, cherry, oak and mahogany. Though not immune to damage, they are more resistant to it. If you are concerned about damage to your wood panelling, choose from the harder species as your budget allows.

Wood mouldings are not just decorative. They’re a time-honoured method of protecting wood panelling. For example, baseboards safeguard panelling from impacts at the floor level, as well as water from mops when cleaning. Chair rails are meant to protect wall panelling from bumps by chair backs. Take advantage of these features to protect your panelling as well as add beauty to your rooms.

Repairing damage

To repair damage in fake wood panelling there are limited options. If it’s shallow, you can use matching wood putty to fill it and wipe away excess. Anything more extensive may require professional help.

Real wood panelling is thicker, and therefore open to more repair techniques. Scratches can be hidden with colour-matching putty or with a bit of sandpapering over the area, then refinishing. Putty also works for dents and gouges. If the wood is unfinished still, use wood filler rather than wood putty. If there is more severe damage, replacing the panel might be best.

Alpine Mouldings is your one-stop shop for beautiful, natural wood panelling and mouldings. We custom-mill to exact specifications for your project. Come take a tour to see our products or call to discuss what you need and get a free estimate. 403-627-8873