🪑 Church Pew Restoration vs. Replacement: What to Consider
Church seating is central to every liturgical space. From budget constraints to aesthetics and modern functionality, choosing whether to restore or replace your pews is a major decision. Here's what you need to know.
🧱 1. Assessing the Value of Your Existing Church Pews
🔍 Structural Integrity
Start with a structural evaluation:
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Are the pews solid wood or veneer?
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How are the seats attached to the ends—routed into grooves or resting on cleats?
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Are the seats flat or curved? Comfortable?
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Is the wood seat thicker than ¾ inch?
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Are there stretchers underneath the seat for support?
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Any signs of repeated repairs?
Key Insight: The more solid wood, the more valuable your pews. High-quality pews of this type are often worth restoring—new replacements cost $300+ per linear foot.
🏛️ Architectural Design
Your pews may be original to the building—designed to match the sanctuary’s architecture.
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Are pew ends reflected in other sanctuary elements?
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Were they custom-built?
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Do they match the era of the church?
Removing them may mean losing historic character or a “contributing architectural element.”
🎨 2. Evaluating the Pew Finish
🧼 Surface Wear vs. Real Damage
Many older pews have multiple coats of finish layered over years of use. These can become sticky or exaggerate scratches—but that doesn’t mean replacement is needed.
Good news: Most topcoats can be safely removed, revealing well-preserved solid wood beneath.
⚠️ Restoration Risks
Watch out for companies who use:
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Chemical paste strippers
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High-pressure water blasting
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Water-based cleaners on veneer
These methods can damage wood or cause finishes to lift. Work with a professional who prioritizes care over speed.
🕊️ 3. Do Church Pews Still Fit Modern Worship?
Some modern churches adopt flexible seating like chairs—but most still choose to retain and restore quality pews.
🔄 Flexibility with Tradition
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Shorten pews to allow wheelchair access
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Add movable chairs in multifunctional spaces
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Modify layouts to reflect contemporary liturgical needs
Restoration can incorporate modern flexibility while preserving tradition.
💰 4. Cost Comparison: Restore or Buy New?
✨ Pew Restoration Costs
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Starts at $100/linear foot
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Up to $230/linear foot based on type and style
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Roughly the same or more than the cost of buying new
Variables include:
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Volunteer or contractor assistance for the straight labor portion of the work
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On-site vs. off-site work
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Extent of repairs and modifications
📩 Send us photos and total pew footage to receive a tailored bid for budgeting or fundraising.
🆕 New Pew Costs
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Usually $100–$200 per foot
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Lower-quality materials: chipboard, veneers, fabric
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Many projects require quality compromises
🛠️ 5. Additional Considerations
📏 Row Spacing
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28” = too tight
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31” = minimum
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34–36” = ideal comfort
📚 Bookracks
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Replace with hymnal carts, or
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Touch-up existing to reduce costs
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Reevaluate need for hat clips and pencil holders
🪵 Kneelers
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Restoring wood kneelers = same cost as new metal
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Consider aesthetic compatibility with sanctuary
🧼 Seat Cushions
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Average cost: $30/foot
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May dampen acoustics—use removable pads
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Avoid permanent fabric/foam attachments
🎨 6. Finish Matters: Don’t Overlook the Visual Impact
Pews often dominate the sanctuary visually. Yet, they’re often an afterthought in design planning.
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Ensure wood finishes and stains complement overall color schemes
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Harmonize pew design with floors, walls, trim, and lighting
Pews are not just "seating."
📩 Get a Free Project Evaluation
Send us:
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📸 Clear photos of your pews
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📏 Total linear footage
We’ll provide a detailed quote and guidance for your project—perfect for capital campaigns or long-term planning.
🛠️ Services Offered
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🔧 Pew, furnishings and interior architectural woodwork restoration & refinishing
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♿ Pew reconfiguration for accessibility
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🎨 Custom color matching
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🪑 Seating layout consultation
(Originally published in Environment & Art, Liturgical Training Publications, 1996. Revised 2001, 2012, 2015, 2022, 2025)
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