At Somerset Reclamations, we take pride in breathing new life into the character and beauty of antique pine doors. One of the most common projects we tackle is stripping old paint from Victorian pine doors to reveal the natural wood underneath. However, sometimes the stripping process uncovers surprises — like a split in a panel that had been previously filled and painted over.
When we encounter this, it’s important to dry the door thoroughly before beginning the repair process. Once dried, we can carefully bring the split back together, applying glue to seamlessly bond the wood. We have years of experience, and in most cases, the repair is so discreet that you would never know it had been done.
But why do these splits occur in the first place? The answer lies in the history of the doors. Victorian houses were much damper environments than our modern homes, and the wood in these doors absorbed moisture accordingly. Fast forward to today, with central heating and drier indoor conditions, the wood has shrunk, leading to occasional splits in the panels. Over time, these splits are often filled and painted over, creating a temporary fix until the natural wood is revealed once again.
At Somerset Reclamations, we are committed to restoring these doors to their former glory, preserving their timeless appeal while ensuring they’re structurally sound for years to come. Whether it's a simple stripping project or a more complex restoration, our workshop is equipped to handle it all with precision and care.
If you have an antique door that needs attention, visit us at The Somerset Shop to explore our reclamation services!
