Update an old chest of drawers with your own hands. Restoration of old furniture: giving new life to a chest of drawers. Antique decor

Surely in your home you will find unique piece of furniture inherited from close or not so relatives. The relic has long lost its original appearance, but you still cannot get rid of it in cold blood. When looking at the little thing, a wave of memories associated with a carefree childhood and loved ones rolls over. Despite positive emotions, it is rather problematic to place an interior element dear to the heart in a modern home. Often this happens with a relatively recent acquisition that has been damaged as a result of careless handling. In this article, we will tell you how to update an old chest of drawers with your own hands.

How to update an old chest of drawers with your own hands: a sequence of actions

Sometimes it happens that some detail of the interior is boring. Why not resort to drastic actions that will turn a little thing that has lost its attractiveness into stylish piece of furniture, organically fitting into the atmosphere of your home? How to update an old chest of drawers with your own hands? It is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.

Decorating furniture requires a certain perseverance and patience. To update an old chest of drawers, preliminary preparation is required. First you need to remove all the accessories, get the drawers. Next, you need clean the object from traces of coating, using sandpaper of different grain sizes, a grinder will not interfere with this. Be prepared that this process is quite laborious and lengthy.

After all traces of the old paint are removed, you will need to restore the existing flaws, masking the chips, cracks, scratches. For this, a special putty is needed. After the performed "resuscitation" actions, you can proceed directly to the transformations.

If you doubt your design abilities, start creative experiments with the simplest way: try decorating an old chest of drawers using acrylic paint. This will require enough patience and time, free space, the necessary materials. To get a decent end result, follow the simple rules and follow a certain sequence of actions outlined in a simple dresser remodel master class.

Master class: how to update an old Provence chest of drawers with your own hands

Refresh an old chest of drawers: sandpaper, white or pastel acrylic paint and brush.

1. Remove old paint. In this case, when sanding the surface of the furniture, you do not need to be too zealous: small roughness and irregularities are quite appropriate. They will allow the new paint to lay down in transparent careless strokes through which a contrasting base peeps through.
2. Make sure to thoroughly remove dust from the surface before painting. Paint the chest of drawers with white paint and wait for it to dry completely. Do not be upset if the strokes of paint applied to the surface of the restored specimen are far from perfect. Deliberate negligence coupled with the lightness of the texture and delicate colors will allow you to create a stylish little thing that is appropriate in the bedroom of a young dreamy person.
3. Again, use sandpaper to partially erase the layer of applied paint, paying special attention to furniture corners and protruding parts. This technique will give the chest of drawers touch of vintage.
4. Screw handles, replacing the former with fittings of a suitable design.

"Leather" handsome

If you think that a white chest of drawers, sustained in the best traditions of Provence, does not fit into the interior of your home, dare to go for a bolder solution that can decorate an old chest of drawers. Why not decorate your home "leather" masterpiece? This author's copy, painted with chocolate-colored acrylic paint, resembles a stylish author's chest of drawers covered in leather.

How to update an old chest of drawers with your own hands? To transform an old item, you will have to stock up on some set of materials and tools. For creativity you will need:

• matte paint;
• brush;
• pen (felt pen);
• leather handles;
• ruler or square
• drill;
• sealant and primer.

Start the process by dismantling the fittings and then filling the holes from the handles with sealant. Wait for it to completely dry.

Treat the furniture with a primer in one layer. Wait for it to dry, then start painting the chest of drawers brown.

Make sure the paint is dry before moving on to the important part of decorating. To do this, you need to draw a dotted line from gold leaf, imitating a seam, along the edges of the chest of drawers and along the perimeter of the boxes. For best results, use a ruler or square.

Use a drill to drill holes in the fronts intended for attaching leather handles. Attach them.

The new "leather outfit" looks very creative. Thanks to him, the updated chest of drawers will surely become original copy in your house.

Another way to update an old chest of drawers with your own hands: an exquisite lace pattern

You can transform the appearance of furniture using paint in a more intricate way. Do you know that there is a way update an old chest of drawers with lace? The ornate knit of the fabric can be used to decorate the entire surface or individual elements.

Impressing others with a filigree pattern on old furniture is quite simple. To do this, you need to stock up on spray paint, varnish, a sufficient amount of lace fabric.

Don't forget to follow the standard dresser cleaning procedures before you start decorating it. To decorate with fine ornaments the selected surface, it is necessary to fix the lace fabric on it. Experienced specialists of the WESTWING shopping club draw your attention to the fact that the dimensions of the lace cuts should slightly exceed the dimensions of the decorated surfaces in order to be able to go around them and fix the ends of the fabric on the other side with adhesive tape.

Carefully cover the surface covered with a cloth with paint and, making sure that it is completely dry, apply a second layer. Leave to dry and, after waiting for the result, carefully remove the lace. Received graceful pattern fix by applying a layer of varnish to the surface of the chest of drawers.

Decoupage to restore old furniture

Try update an old chest of drawers using decoupage technique. With the help of a variety of images, it is possible to create the most incredible compositions on any subject. To get an exclusive chest of drawers, you will need special decoupage cards sold in hand-made stores or ordinary two-layer napkins.

The image is cut out or cut off by hand (this is done in order to make its borders less noticeable), then glue is applied to it, glued to the surface. In this case, a brush is used, which is carried out from the center of the picture to the edges, removing air bubbles that have collected under the paper. After drying, the product is sequentially covered with furniture varnish in two layers. Decoupage looks advantageous on a light surface, so before you start decorating, the chest of drawers is paint with pastel or white acrylic paint.

Often, the decoupage technique is supplemented with the effect of aging, for which they use craquelure varnish in their work. Thanks to him, the decorated surface is covered with a network of small cracks. Sometimes they are emphasized with a patina solution, which covers a completely dried product.

An unexpected solution: decorating with carnations

Another interesting solution that allows you to successfully update an old chest of drawers is decoration of its facade with furniture carnations. The unusual decor looks very impressive, resembling metal rivets in appearance.

How to update an old chest of drawers with your own hands? To implement the conceived idea, it is necessary to depict the selected pattern in full size on a sheet of paper. Then transfer it with a pencil to the restored surface of the chest of drawers. After that, along the intended line, slowly drive decorative carnations into a wooden surface, making sure that the selected interval is maintained.

The designers of the shopping club are sure that among the proposed options for updating a worn chest of drawers, you will surely be able to choose the one that impresses you the most. Use the detailed instructions to bring your favorite piece of furniture back to life by turning it into real art object.

Updating furniture is a common practice that does not require significant investments and allows you to implement creative author's ideas. This also applies to chests of drawers - perhaps the most functional furniture. The decor of the chest of drawers should be combined with the interior of the living room in which it is located. If you want to accentuate a discreet pastel design, a chest of drawers with an updated print and topped with a vase is a good solution. Another thing is if you need to create the perfect combination of color palettes. A properly decorated old chest of drawers will cope with any task.

Buying new furniture is not cheap. And the models sold in the post-Soviet space are not always original. Therefore, a master class on upgrading an old chest of drawers is useful for those who want to save money, as well as people with an artistic mindset who gravitate towards everything original. So, how to decorate a chest of drawers with your own hands?

Updating an old chest of drawers

Whether it is the restoration of a chest of drawers or the decor of a bedside table with your own hands - everything is done in stages. The first thing you need before starting work is the tools. Here is a list of what is needed:

• small grinder;
• sandpaper or sanding sponge;
• stencils;
• putty knife;
• unnecessary toothbrush;
• screwdriver;
• wood knife;
• several brushes, different in width and composition of the pile (hard and soft), sponges;
• masking tape;
• acetone;
• industrial film;
• toothpicks.

From the materials you need:

• bulk paste or putty based on acrylic;
• glue for wooden surfaces;
• wood varnish, stain or primer with paint of a certain color (for decoupage - three-layer napkins).

You will also need gloves and a respirator.

If this is an artistic design, acrylic paint of the desired color will do. For those who want to modernize an old chest of drawers, a good option would be to replace furniture fittings: you can add new handles or mirrored panels.

Restoration

But for those who are not afraid of working with sandpaper, a spatula and acrylic paint, a stage-by-stage painted restoration of the chest of drawers has been prepared. The process consists of several steps: removing the old paint or varnish coating, thorough sanding, checking for chips and other irregularities, local filling of defects, painting and final decoration of the chest of drawers.

But first you should look for defects in the interior of the chest of drawers. All broken bottoms, shelves and rails should be unscrewed with a screwdriver and measured. In accordance with the geometric parameters, you can buy new elements or make them yourself. If the second option is closer to you, be prepared to acquire an additional arsenal of tools and knowledge in the field of thorough furniture repair. Do not forget to do such a check before decorating a chest of drawers with your own hands.

Also pay attention to the screws, handles and legs. If the fittings are not the same, with differences in shape and pattern, then most likely these elements are made by hand, and if some of them are damaged, the analogue part can no longer be obtained. In this case, it is better to replace all fittings.

Cleaning and product preparation

Surface cleaning is done carefully so as not to damage important decorative elements of the product. First, clean the surface by wiping it with soapy water. Use a toothbrush to remove dirt and dust from hard-to-reach places.

To free the surface of furniture from paint or varnish, you will need industrial film and acetone. Cover the old chest of drawers with the last, and to enhance the effect, cover the product with industrial film. In the absence of a film, you can use oilcloth, cellophane and other improvised materials. Limit the air supply and leave the furniture for one hour. After this time, a layer of varnish and paint will lag behind the wood.

The decor of a chest of drawers with your own hands begins with work with a construction spatula. Remove loose layer from wood without damaging the surface. Remember to remove all paint.

Then comes the skinning step.

The surface free from small decorative elements is polished with a machine. For the latter, it is important to choose the right nozzle. Use sandpaper or a sanding sponge to sand the area of ​​protrusions and small parts. Do not overdo the skinning, so as not to damage the chest of drawers.

Cracks, chips, scratches and other defects are carefully covered with putty on wood. It is better to give preference to water-based putty. For restoration, putty is selected by color, not by the name of the wood. It should only go into the recesses, so sand the surface again. If traces remain in the structure of the tree, stains will appear when stained with stain, which cannot be removed. Replace bottoms in boxes, skids and strengthen the frame.

Painting

The choice of paint, its brand and color depends on how you see the future decor of the old chest of drawers. This can be a stain layer if the wood structure is smooth sanded and looks good without paint. The stain is suitable for changing the color while maintaining the texture of the tree. You can cover the entire surface with acrylic paint, and then the design of the old chest of drawers will become completely different.

Both stain and paint are applied evenly with brushes or a roller. Works on time are the same: only the results on the fact of drying are different.

Stages of work:

• The choice of varnish, paint of the desired color and other materials.
• Tinting, staining or painting with a brush, roller. Maybe with a rag.
• A layer of varnish on the entire surface of the furniture. After drying - another layer or two. Can be replaced with transparent primer.
• Skinning to remove the raised pile of the array.
• Finishing coats of varnish.
• Wait until completely dry.

Design solutions

The decor of an old nightstand or a do-it-yourself chest of drawers is determined by the style of the interior. You can use wallpaper, lace, choose a floral print, fabric upholstery of drawers, paints or put names, memorable dates on the surface. You can decorate the entire front panel with coffee beans, buttons, beads, beads and other elements. If this is a living room, it is better to use presentable panels in a discreet color, but for a bedroom or a nursery, you are given complete freedom of choice. Decoupage technique, English style, voluminous decor, as well as antique decor do not go out of fashion.

Bedside tables are updated according to the same principle. But how to decorate a plastic chest of drawers? Decoupage is your best bet. The same work is carried out as above, with the exception of grinding. For plastic, special paints of various colors and primers are provided.

Decoupage

How to decorate a chest of drawers using decoupage technique? This is a real expanse for fantasy. Decoupage involves decorating furniture with the help of special cards and three-layer napkins. You also need to get white acrylic paint, PVA glue, scissors, a roller and a sponge. The process begins with the application of paint with a roller on the entire surface of the chest of drawers. Next, start cutting out the desired images. To give an old look after complete drying, you should walk over the product with sandpaper. This must be done carefully, along the lines of the wood.

Apply PVA glue to all parts to stick them to the chest of drawers. Lubricate the front side of the pictures with the same glue, which will protect them from external influences. If these are flowers or ornate patterns, they can be extended with patterns of lines and curls protruding from the surface of the bedside table.

Decoupage can also be done with fabric. This will decorate the facade to match the interior.

English style

But the design of a chest of drawers with your own hands is not limited to the idea of ​​​​decoupage. For the English style, an old product is ideal, even if it has noticeable defects. You will need four colors: white, red, blue and brown. The first three are acrylic paint, the last one is oil. Of the materials, putty, spatula, topazure, masking tape, sandpaper, decorative nails, brushes and rollers are also useful.

The accessories are removed from the chest of drawers, and the product is cleaned. After the surface is covered with an uneven layer of putty: the more casually, the better. Cover the chest of drawers with white paint and mark the areas to be painted with tape. Dilute the scarlet and blue paints. The spotting that may appear during the staining process is only a plus. The tabletop and sides are treated with sandpaper. The finished work is covered with topazure (use a sponge for this). The ideal tone of toplazuri is “walnut”. After that, drive in decorative furniture nails and install fittings darkened with oil brown paint.

antique

But how to decorate a chest of drawers with your own hands if it is too old-fashioned? Lovers of country and Provence will appreciate the antique decor. This design is now popular, and you will need the following to work:

• sandpaper of various grain sizes and hardness;
• sponge;
• brushes and screwdrivers;
• lacquer craquelure;
• wax candle;
• 2 colors of acrylic paint.

Remove hardware, drawers and dresser tops. Treat the entire surface with sandpaper and wipe with a wet sponge. Apply the first coat of paint and leave to dry. The following abrasions will be intentional, and they are done with sandpaper and a candle. Then apply paint of a different shade (to your taste) and wipe with a sponge those areas that were covered with wax: in these places the paint will be erased. The finishing stage is the decoupage technique or author's painting. Then everything is covered with craquelure.

Storage space is a must. And this is where chests of drawers come to the rescue. If your old chest of drawers seems boring to you, or you find that the one you just bought is too simple, the ideas that we have carefully selected for you come to the rescue. Lots of patterns with stickers, wallpaper, paint; gradient effect; new, bright colors - your updated chest of drawers will become the most memorable interior detail.

Before decorating the chest of drawers, choose a new color for it. Sunny yellow, bold red or fresh green work wonders. Then think about how you want to decorate the drawer fronts. It can be a pattern, a picture or a solid color. An interesting idea is to paint the boxes with a gradient. To do this, you need to choose the main color and paint each box a few shades lighter than the previous one. Get inspired by our photo selection!

Update an old chest of drawers with a gradient effect

Bright accent on the drawer front

Dresser decor wallpaper

idea for a big family

Antique pattern in modern interpretation

The times of shortage of furniture are long gone, and today we can buy whatever we want for an apartment and a house to our taste. But until now, many owners of furniture from the era of socialism are trying to repair them, to give them a new life. And this is not from greed or a keen attachment to things. It’s just that such an object as an old chest of drawers may not be rubbish, the place of which is perhaps in the country, but a challenge to one’s own imagination and the ability to create with one’s own hands.

Restoration of an old chest of drawers: pros and cons

The processes of repair and restoration are similar, but have several significant differences. When repairing old furniture, we simply transform it most often: remove peeling paint, sand it, apply a new layer, fasten loosened elements. Restoration is a deeper work that goes far beyond the boundaries of cosmetic repairs. In addition, a restored chest of drawers can become more valuable if it was originally a rather original, exclusive product.

Before you decide to restore an old chest of drawers, conduct a thorough assessment of its value. Inspect the product for tags or stamps indicating the name of the master and the time of manufacture. It may turn out that your chest of drawers is an old piece of furniture art, and by starting to process it, you will lose a truly valuable thing.

An old chest of drawers may be of antique value

Signs of antiquity can be the following:

• sharpening of internal corners as a result of long-term operation of the chest of drawers;
• uneven notch on the fastening screws;
• different distances between the turns of the notch.

The last two signs may indicate that the fasteners were made by hand, and not industrially.

All of the above can be seen with the naked eye. A deeper analysis will be carried out by a specialist whom you invite to evaluate the product. Until the final conclusion, it is not recommended to start restoration or repair work.

Restoration process from start to finish

So, you have decided to restore the old chest of drawers with your own hands. The work will be painstaking, requiring attention and time. Each step is extremely important, so try not to miss anything.

Old chest of drawers in need of restoration

For work you will need:

• putty and glue for wood;
• sandpaper of different grain size in a set;
• a hammer;
• Screwdriver Set;
• rubber mallet;
• gloves and respirator;
• toothpicks, toothbrush;
• a tool for cleaning accessories (tooth powder is suitable);
• brushes;
• paint and varnish.

Product cleaning

An old chest of drawers must be cleaned so that the surfaces and decorative details are not damaged. First, wipe the product with a sponge and soapy water. The water should be warm, but not hot, and as a detergent - household or stain-removing soap without chlorine.

Antique pieces of furniture, especially chests of drawers, are often decorated with small details and carved inserts. A toothbrush will help you clean them well.

Remove the furniture fittings (this will give you access to the surfaces under the parts for better dirt removal) and rub with a cleaner. For example, tooth powder works well for silver.

Clean hard-to-reach places such as crevices and corners with an awl or toothpick. Plaque and ingrained dirt can be removed with fine sandpaper. It should be used very carefully, otherwise the finish may fade as a result of strong pressure.

If you decide to change the color of an old chest of drawers or cover it with a new layer of varnish, the surface must be carefully sanded.

Preliminary preparation

After the old chest of drawers has been washed and dried well, repair or replace the damaged items. Finding suitable parts is likely to be difficult. To do this, it is better to contact an antique shop or a carpentry workshop to order the manufacture of the necessary decor items. You can also get professional help with installation parts there.

Check how well the screws and bolts are tightened, if the wood is cracked. Loose or rusty bolts must be removed and replaced with new ones. Fix small cracks on the surface with wood glue; those that are larger, cover with putty on wood, picking it up strictly in tone. If you plan to subsequently cover the chest of drawers with stain, then use a special putty.

Painting work

Now you rarely see furniture made of natural wood in a wide sale. An old chest of drawers may not match the modern style of your home. Therefore, in addition to a fresh look, this product can be given a new image. The easiest way is to paint it in one color, for example, white.

First of all, remove the old coating from the surface. Do this carefully so as not to damage the wood and leave no traces of the old coating in the cracks and corners.

Thoroughly clean the surfaces of the chest of drawers so that there are no bumps

Now sand the surface to get rid of bumps and small imperfections.

Sand the surface well

After sanding, proceed to putty. Carefully repair all chips and unnecessary holes. After the putty has dried, rub it with fine-grained sandpaper.

To paint the chest of drawers, use a special paint for wood. It may be necessary to re-sand the surface. To give the chest of drawers a gloss, a layer of varnish can be applied over the paint (naturally, after complete drying).

Replacement of old parts

The old chest of drawers used in our example had iron handles. Of course, they are beautiful and give the furniture an antique look. But unfortunately, some of these pens are hopelessly damaged. The easiest way out is to completely replace them with new ones that are more suitable in style. This is easy to do: drill holes of the desired diameter in suitable places and insert the fittings.

Replace your old dresser handles with new ones for a modern look.

As you can see, the chest of drawers has become completely different: new, modern and exclusive.

New life for old furniture

Decoupage chest of drawers

If pure white is not enough for you to breathe new life into an old chest of drawers, decoupage.

1. Paint the surface with white acrylic paint. Let dry well.
2. Cut out patterns from decorative paper napkins. Stick them on the dresser with PVA glue.
3. After everything is dry, varnish the chest of drawers.

That's all, your chest of drawers sparkled with new colors! Decoupage is good because you can choose any pattern and pattern that your imagination allows.

Master class on decoupage chest of drawers (video)

Another repair option

This method will help you turn an old and boring bulky chest of drawers into a light and elegant piece of furniture. For the transformation, we will take the classic model without any special decorations: three wide drawers and two small ones.

Classic chest of drawers with three large and two small drawers

You will need the following tools and materials:

• means for removing an old layer of varnish or paint;
• sandpaper;
• chisel;
• matte putty;
• PVA glue;
• self-tapping screws;
• polyurethane foam decorative moldings;
• wallpaper;
• paraffin;
• acrylic water-based paint;
• transparent water-based varnish;
• 8 decorative handles.

Training

Unscrew the knobs on the chest of drawers. Examine it carefully from all sides. Pay special attention to the lid and legs: in these places the wood is usually subject to the greatest damage. If the deficiencies are minor, it is not necessary to eliminate them. But in case of detection of more serious damage, sometimes it is necessary to replace some parts completely.

Free the chest of drawers from the old varnish or paint. The upper layers can be removed with a chisel; they usually come off easily. Carefully rub the remains with emery so that clean wood is visible.

Thoroughly clean the product of old paint and remove accessories

In places where noticeable bumps and dents are found, apply mastic with a spatula and level the layer. After drying, sand these areas with fine-grained sandpaper. Do this carefully, do not press too hard, otherwise you will damage the fresh layer of mastic. As a result, the surface should become perfectly flat.

The new drawer handles you buy may be smaller or larger than the old ones. In this case, you need to seal the holes left from the old handles that you removed with mastic and make new ones in the right places with a drill.

Note! There are handles that are attached to special screws. They do not need to drill holes. If you have the opportunity, purchase such accessories to make your work easier.

Dilute PVA glue with water. Using a brush, treat the entire surface of the chest of drawers. You can replace the glue with any primer. When the surface is completely dry, you can start decorating.

decorative elements

First of all, prepare the main elements of decor - frames for sidewalls and drawers. They can be made from conventional polyurethane moldings. In this work, the main thing is the correct measurements. The frame for the drawer should be located strictly along the edge. On the sidewalls it is better to make a small indent.

Correctly calculate the dimensions of the decorative frames on the boxes

It is also very important to properly trim the corner parts of the molding.

When you have prepared all the details for the frames, proceed to fix them. For greater reliability, fasten the frames with screws, then seal the places where they enter the moldings with mastic so that the hats do not stand out.

Cover with mastic the places where the screws enter the moldings

Now paint the installed frames with acrylic paint. Choose any color that you like or suits the interior of the room. For example, light coffee or beige is well suited for a French-style chest of drawers. Apply the paint in several layers, each time waiting for complete drying.

Paste wallpaper inside the frames. It is good if they have a thick texture and a fancy pattern. The ornament should be darker than the general background. After you finish pasting the wallpaper, carefully screw the handles into place.

For original decor, use wallpaper

The final touch is the coating of the chest of drawers with a transparent varnish. It should be applied in several layers.

Chest of drawers after restoration in the interior of the bedroom

To make the drawers slide out of the grooves easily, grease the wooden parts of the pull-out system with paraffin. Sliding will be greatly facilitated.

How to restore an old chest of drawers (video)

As you can see, turning an old bulky chest of drawers into a completely new and attractive interior element is not at all difficult, although troublesome. But all the difficulties fade before the result of the work. Tell us in the comments about your ideas for restoring and reworking old furniture. Good luck and enjoy your home!

An old chest of drawers step by step to make it look like new. We will also give 10 cool examples of how craftsmen give storage systems . We are sure that after that you will want to pick up paint, brushes and set aside a weekend for rework.

How to Restore an Old Chest of Drawers DIY: 5 Steps (with Pictures)

1. Remove the cover

Paint

To do this, we need a solvent, a spatula, and ideally a grinder.

How the process of removing the old coating manually looks like: we remove the material with a spatula, if necessary we use a solvent - it can be acetone or any other store-bought product. With it, the decorative coating will come off much easier. Take an unnecessary cloth (or rag), saturate it with solvent and wipe the surface. The previous finish should come off almost completely. And the remains after can be removed with a spatula.

By the way, if you are working with solvents, do not forget your mask and gloves - as these are toxic substances and the fumes can make you feel bad and damage your skin.

But what if you work with a grinder? Suddenly you have friends from whom you can borrow equipment. The grinder must be with a nozzle - for stripping with an abrasive. It is this nozzle that helps to completely remove the paintwork and leave a clean wooden surface. For a perfectly even coating after the machine, you can “walk” on the wood with a grinding wheel.

Of course, this option is faster and easier, but please note that when working with the machine there may be a large amount of dust. Stock up on a respirator and goggles.

plastic film

The furniture was sheathed with films under the tree. If you need to remove it, the easiest way is to use a building hair dryer. Hot air will help to easily separate the plastic coating from the base. Follow the simple instructions: first heat one of the parts of the structure - for example, a countertop or a door, then pick up the film and carefully separate it. Repeat the procedure with other details.

If you want to do this is without a hair dryer, the process will be the same as with paint.

2. We close up cracks and other imperfections

Despite the fact that the restoration of a chest of drawers with your own hands at home is a simplified version, frank flaws cannot be left. Moreover, fixing them is not so difficult.

You will need wood putty. Please note that it is better to choose a special putty, as conventional building materials can contain large abrasive particles, and eventually damage the coating. And the material for the tree will lie flat and neat.