Penetrating finishes such as those achieved by old-time craftsmen with linseed oil have a depth and luster quite unlike those of surface coatings such as varnish or lacquer. They help accent the ...

Dear James: We just bought an older house with lots of natural woodwork. Can we sand it down and refinish it with another natural oil finish? What are some tips to apply the finish? -- Tammy V. Dear ...

A: The best wood finish is one that will displace water and not chip or peel like paint. Linseed oil (a vegetable oil) is the very best wood preservative money can buy. You will see it on the shelf as ...

Q: We hired a local handyman to help renovate a bathroom and rework two entry-area closets into a unified closet with bi-fold doors. This meant replacing some of the wide-plank pine floorboards in our ...

Dear Pat: My house has some beautiful old woodwork, which I need to sand and refinish. I was thinking of using a natural oil finish on it. Is this type of finish durable? And how should I apply it to ...

Question: I recently bought an older house. It has beautiful cherry woodwork that needs to be refinished. I have heard about a French polish finish. Is this a good finish to use and how do I do it?

When people think of hardwood floors, many associations can come to mind. These can range from fond memories of being a child lying on the living room hardwood at your grandmother's to an exasperated ...