Lloyd’s Woodworking · Hudson, Massachusetts
Can New Millwork Match Existing Woodwork in a Renovation?
DIRECT ANSWER:
New millwork can often be designed to coordinate closely with existing woodwork, but exact matching should not automatically be promised. Profile, dimensions, species, grain, age, finish, light exposure and previous maintenance can all affect the final appearance.
"CAN YOU MATCH THIS?"
YES IS TOO SIMPLE AN ANSWER.
The real question is:
WHAT NEEDS TO MATCH?
Shape?
Size?
Wood?
Color?
Finish?
Age?
The answer changes the work.
PROFILE FIRST
When new molding meets existing molding directly, profile differences can be immediately visible.
Document:
Width
Thickness
Projection
Curves
Steps
Reveals
WOOD MATTERS
Different wood can respond differently to:
Stain
Finish
Light
Age
Even boards of the same species naturally vary.
OLD COLOR IS NOT JUST STAIN
Existing wood may have changed because of:
Age
Light
Oxidation
Finish
Cleaning
Previous refinishing
Environmental exposure
DECIDE WHAT "MATCH" MEANS
Project teams should define expectations.
Possibilities include:
Exact profile reproduction
Close visual coordination
Matching dimensions
Matching species
New work intentionally differentiated
Do not leave the word "match" undefined.
SAMPLES CAN HELP
When finish matching matters, appropriate samples may help establish expectations before full production.
Frequently asked questions
CAN NEW WOOD MATCH 100-YEAR-OLD WOOD EXACTLY?
Exact visual matching should not automatically be guaranteed.
CAN AN OLD MOLDING PROFILE BE MATCHED?
Potentially, when a suitable original reference exists.
SHOULD NEW WOODWORK LOOK OLD?
Not necessarily. The project team should determine the design intent.
WHY DOES NEW WOOD TAKE STAIN DIFFERENTLY?
Natural variation, species, preparation and existing aged conditions can all affect appearance.
HAVE DRAWINGS, PHOTOS OR A SAMPLE?
LET'S LOOK AT THE PROJECT.
Send Lloyd's the relevant drawings, photographs, dimensions, quantities and project information to begin the conversation.
Lloyd's Woodworking · Hudson, Massachusetts · Serving customers since 1969.