Wood
“Why repair or restore older furniture?”
The truth is, “they don’t make’em like they used to!” The quality of new furniture has been declining for the past several decades. A lot of new furniture is made with particleboard, cardboard, and even plastic. The material is then covered with paper-thin wood veneer or photo finish (a material similar to contact paper). Even some of today’s “better” furniture is made from inferior materials with poor craftsmanship. And if you want new solid wood furniture, the cost is astronomical.
On the other hand, older furniture tends to be of very high quality compared to what is available new. It is usually made of solid wood or real wood veneers with a solid wood core. The overall construction tends to be more substantial than what is made today. But today’s furniture finishes are vastly superior to what was available in years past. Combine this old-time quality with the better modern finishes, the cost savings you’ll reap, and you’re looking at the best reason to refinish and not replace.