Why Hiring the Right Church Pew Refinishing Company Matters

For most churches, hiring a company to refinish, restore, or modify existing church pews is a once-in-a-lifetime project. Whether you're a pastor, priest, church administrator, or volunteer committee member, chances are—this isn’t something you’ve done before.

And that’s exactly why it’s so easy to get it wrong.

The Most Common Mistake Churches Make

Over nearly 30 years of working on church pew refinishing projects, we’ve heard one story again and again:

“We called a local furniture refinisher… but the more we talked, the more worried we got. So we kept looking.”

Those churches were the lucky ones.

Unfortunately, many others didn’t realize the warning signs until it was too late. They ended up with a contractor who meant well but had no real experience with church pews—and the results were costly, frustrating, and in some cases, disastrous.

Why Furniture Refinishing ≠ Church Pew Restoration

Let’s be clear: Furniture refinishing is a completely different trade than church pew restoration.

Here’s why local furniture shops often fall short:

They’re not equipped for scale: Their dip tanks, booths, and tables are designed for dressers, tables, chairs—not 14-foot pews.
The stripping process is too harsh: Flow-over and high-pressure stripping can damage old wood, especially when repeated across dozens of pews.
They underestimate the labor: The sheer weight and awkwardness of pews often surprise even experienced furniture teams.
They misprice the job: Furniture pricing logic doesn’t apply here. The result? They either overbid or drastically underbid. Neither ends well.

When the Budget Gets Tight, So Does the Quality

One of the most troubling scenarios is when a local contractor underbids the job—then realizes halfway through they’re losing money. What happens next?

They rush the work.
They look for ways to cut corners.
They ask for more money mid-project.
And quality drops—fast.

That’s when the job becomes more about managing stress and conflict than restoring your sanctuary.

Church Pews Require Stronger, Smarter Finishes

Unlike furniture, church pews face constant wear and tear:

Weekly use by congregations
High hand traffic on top rails and pew ends
Years of built-up hand oils, grime, and sweat

The finish used on pews must be specifically designed to withstand human touch over decades—not just look good for a few months.

“Lifetime” surface finishes? They don’t last a lifetime. Especially not on touch surfaces.

We’ve written specs for public buildings like courthouses and state capitols, where areas like stair handrails require finishes that hold up to daily human contact. The same rules apply—perhaps even more so—to church pews.

The Problem With Quick Re-Coating

A popular shortcut is simply cleaning and lightly sanding the pews, then applying a new topcoat. Sounds good in theory.

But here’s the reality:

The seat and top rails are greasy
Light sanding doesn’t remove hand oil embedded in the grain
New finish doesn’t bond—it peels or feels sticky on hot, humid days

You know the feeling: that moment during a summer service when you almost have to peel yourself off the pew. That’s re-coating gone wrong.

Don’t Spray and Pray

Another red flag? When a contractor insists on spraying all the finishes.

Furniture shops are accustomed to spraying finishes for efficiency. But this approach doesn’t work for pews—especially when the wood has already been damaged by harsh stripping.

They often try to cover imperfections by using opaque, heavy stains. The result? A flat, dull, two-dimensional look that screams "stripped and refinished" instead of "beautifully restored."

In sacred spaces, the grain of the wood should shine through—rich, warm, and resonant. The tactile nature of the wood is part of the worship experience.

Choose Experience. Avoid Regret.

If you want your church pew refinishing or restoration project done right—on time, on budget, and with lasting beauty—you need a team who’s done it dozens of times before.

That’s where we come in.

We specialize in church furniture restoration and refinishing
We use hand tools, custom processes, and apply decades of experience
We understand the spiritual and historical importance of your space
And yes, we still believe craftsmanship matters

Let’s Do This Right

You only get one chance to restore your sanctuary the right way. Let us help you do it with care, integrity, and experience.

📞 Call us today
📧 Email us directly

God bless you and your project. We look forward to hearing from you.

Scott

Woodwork Restoration, LLC

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Church Pew Restoration and Refinishing

8.06.2025

Church Pew Refinishing/Restoration is a Specialty Trade.