Windsor Chairs and Colonial Tables FAQ's
As
Maine's Windsor chairmakers we are
asked a lot of questions about our Windsor chairs. We have taken some of
the most commonly asked questions and posted them here. Feel free to request more
information or request a question to be listed here. Just click
(Here)
and post your question.
Click on the question of interest
How do I care for my Windsor chairs and Colonial tables
For
routine maintenance, it is a good idea to occasionally apply a
protective coating to the finish. We recommend purchasing our furniture
care kit located on our ordering page. Our kit consist of fine paste
wax as was used when we made your chairs, tables and wooden bowls. A word
of caution products with abrasives should not be used continually since
they might wear away the protective finish. Often people worry about paste
wax build-up on their antique pieces. This actually is very desirable since
accumulated wax and dust contribute to the antique patina sought by antique
collectors.
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Expansion, Contraction and Common Movement in Wood
It is important to
understand that our wide select boards will expand and contract throughout
the seasons. This is an ongoing process and is a perfectly normal consequence
of quality reproduction furniture. Wood is a dynamic medium in that it will
expand and contract with changes in humidity. This movement is related to
wood's porous structure which allows it to absorb or release moisture depending
upon the relative humidity. Different woods exhibit different amounts of
expansion and contraction. This constant seasonal movement creates certain
characteristics common to all antique furniture. One of these is the appearance
of cracks in any panel where the wood has not been allowed to expand and
contract freely. A second trait is the swelling of wood which occurs in
humid weather. We attempt to allow for this movement when constructing our
furniture; however, it cannot be completely alleviated as authenticity will
be sacrificed. You should note that our furniture will wear and age
in much the same fashion as antiques, and will exhibit similar imperfections
as well. Seasoned collectors realize these signs of age are of minor
consequence and insignificantly affect the value of the piece.
To
minimize expansion/contraction cracking we recommend the following steps:
-
Avoid placing
furniture in direct sunlight. This will reduce the chances of localized
drying.
-
Avoid placing
pieces very close to heating coils, radiators, or air vents.
-
If possible, try
to maintain a fairly constant humidity throughout the year. This should
not become a burdensome task; rather try to avoid moving a piece from
one extreme to another, such as from an attic to a basement. A dehumidifier
in a hot air or air conditioning system will often help control humidity
extremes.
-
Occasionally treat
the entire piece with a little light oil, such as lemon oil. This will
help prevent drying out of the surface finish and a subsequent reduction
in its protective ability.
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M&E Gummel Chairworks Warranty
M&E
Gummel Chairworks takes great pride in our pieces and we are committed
to preserving their functionality for generations. We are faithful to
the highest standard of quality when handcrafting reproduction, 18th
century, American furniture for our customers. In our quest to replicate
the furniture that early American Windsor Chair Makers and cabinetmakers
built, we strive to continue in the same traditions and techniques. We trust these methods
so much we offer a lifetime guarantee; if at any time your piece requires
repair send it back to us and we will fix it or replace it with a new one.
Providing that the
customer pays for the crating, shipping and insurance to and from our shop,
M&E Gummel Chairworks will make reasonable repairs to our furniture at no
charge. We will be happy to offer suggestions on reliable shipping companies
that offer competitive rates. Exceptions to this policy are: (1) pieces
that have been abused or mishandled, (2) pieces that have been modified,
altered, or refinished, or (3) pieces that we have previously repaired to
the best of our ability.
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A word on our furniture dimensions:
We aim to provide
accurate dimensions with each piece description. Due to the fact that our
product is handcrafted, the actual dimensions of the piece you receive may
vary slightly from what is presented. If you need specific dimensions, please
give us a call or email.
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Are your Windsor chairs strong enough for daily use?
Rest
assured we use the same time-tested methods as did the Master American
Windsor chair makers. We even use the tools they used then.
Much time is taken to make all joints strong and long-lasting, and all
woods used are scrutinized for straightness of grain. Furthermore, all
oak spindles are riven (split)
from logs and shaped by hand maintaining maximum natural strength. In contrast,
machine made parts used in production chairs are more brittle and splinter
because the natural grain of the wood is compromised for the sake of time.
Original bench-made Windsor's survive to this day in the same way our bench-made
chairs will stand the test of time. See our
Craftsmanship Page for further details.
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How do I place an order?
We
need to know what style(s) of chair you want, how many, and what options (if applicable) you
desire. Finish does not have to be decided upon before you order. Simply
go to our ordering page and print out our order form, fill it out and give
us a call or email it to us. We will send an invoice for 50% of your total
order. This will enable us to secure the materials and reserve a place in
our queue for your order. You can send your deposit securely over the internet
through Paypal or send a personal check. The balance must be paid in full
before we ship your order to you. See our
Ordering
Page for more info.
We can be reached
by email (sales@gummelchairworks.com) or by telephone (1-207-326-8122).
You may also write to us at:
Gummel Chairworks
P.O.Box 767
Castine Maine 04421
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How long will it take to get my order?
Each
piece is made to order and therefore a waiting period is to be expected.
Please contact us for an estimate of time to completion. Note that
your order is placed into this time queue once your 50% non-refundable
deposit is received. If you haven't decided on all the details or
options of what you want, you may still place an order and secure a spot
on our work schedule. We can finalize details once the order is
begun. Back to
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How much is the shipping?
We
will need your zip code, plus the style and number of chairs and or
tables you want to provide you an estimate from the appropriate shipper.
Because freight carriers are constantly changing their rates, we cannot
give you an exact figure until the furniture is made, packaged and
weighed. We always make shipping estimates a little on the high
side so that any surprises hopefully will be in the customer's favor.
Note: motor freight shipments delivered to a residence will cost an
additional $45, so you will save money if you can receive the order at a
business address, or if you can pick it up at the terminal.
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How do you package your chairs for shipping?
All
of our chairs are wrapped in bubble wrap and sealed and secured in a
custom triple walled corrugated carton. Settees and tables must be
crated to ensure that they arrive safe and sound. Packaging
charges are detailed on our
Ordering Page. Call or email us for further information
or any other questions that you may have.
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