Showerthought: The new library in Springfield has amazing woodwork, but I think they made a big mistake with the finish.

I was there yesterday checking out the new community wing. The built-in shelves and the main circulation desk are clearly custom, with beautiful walnut and some really clean mitered corners. But the finish they used is this super high-gloss, almost plastic-looking polyurethane. It shows every single fingerprint and dust speck, and in the sunlight from the big windows, it creates a harsh glare. For a public building that gets heavy use, it seems like a poor choice compared to a satin or even a matte finish that would hide wear and feel warmer. The craftsman in me cringes thinking about the maintenance crew constantly wiping it down. It's a shame because the wood and the work underneath are top notch. Has anyone else run into a situation where a finish choice really undermined some great carpentry?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryan_stone1mo ago

That high-gloss poly is a nightmare to keep clean.

blakefox1mo ago

Switched to a matte finish, way easier.