The clue is in the name – it’s all down to the finish. The factory finish that produces a result that’s better than new, at a fraction of the cost of replacing the item in question.
The item in question could be a boardroom table, internal or external doors, a window frame or building facias – whatever it is, Unique Finishes has a solution that will transform old and tired into new.
Founded by Joseph Hurn and, using spraying and wrap techniques that have been used in the US for decades but are just becoming better known in the UK, he’s developed a business that originally renovated dated window frames into one that sees him regularly renovating entire office spaces for clients across the country.
His focus has always been on sustainability – reducing the need to replace high-quality doors and furniture just because they’re looking a little the worse for wear. These days, though, it’s as much about finding the most cost-effective way to refurbish an office when costs are rising, and budgets are tightening.
“Anything that has a finish on it can be wrapped or sprayed,”
said Joseph.
“Outside doors, internal office doors, fire doors, lift doors, desks, meeting room furniture and boardroom tables. Because a lot of fittings are good, solid expensive items, you wouldn’t want to just replace them, but it’s not easy finding someone who can renovate them. But we can.
“As long as they’re not damaged, they can be wrapped or sprayed in a whole range of colours and finishes – to give you a modern new look or to tie in with company branding – we can even do things like adding logos for a smart corporate look. And all at about a tenth of the cost of replacing everything and starting again.”
Unique Finishes’ aim is that the renovated items end up looking better than new. Joseph’s stated claim is that if the finished work looks like it’s been sprayed or wrapped, then he has failed. It should look like it’s emerged straight from the factory.
Wraps are available in more than 1,500 choices of colours and effects, including fabric, embossed leather, concrete and glitter and, of course, an alternative to real wood that gives the natural look and feel of wood grain.
Virtually any colour can be matched for spraying, opening up a seemingly endless range of options. The paint has been designed to chemically bond to the material, and is guaranteed against cracking, peeling or fading.
Joseph added:
“These techniques are pretty common in other countries, but in Britain there’s a tendency to think something’s not fit for purpose so get rid of it and get a new one. As long as it’s not too badly damaged, though, we can work with it.
“Take a door, for instance, that is going to be sprayed. On the original, the finish probably amounted to around 3% of the cost. If it’s already a quality door, all we’re doing is adding a finish of around 4mm, so even with the high-quality materials we use, you’re getting a better-quality finish for a fraction of the cost, and it’s guaranteed for a minimum of 10 to 12 years.
“I can’t stand the idea of good quality items being discarded when they don’t need to be, or customers paying for new furniture and fittings when they could be doing so much more with their money.”
Unique Finishes specialises in office refurbishments that not only include the wrapping and spraying but, as finishing touches, power washing and line marking external areas so that the building gets a refresh inside and out.
The company also supplies window films that are becoming increasingly attractive as energy bills rise. Not only do the films – which can be clear, tinted or reflective – block out UVA and UVB rays, which means furniture inside the room doesn’t fade over time, they also trap heat from the sun so the building doesn’t get too hot in summer and stop the internal heat from escaping in the cold weather.
Joseph added:
“Wrapping not only helps reduce the environmental impact but it also means that otherwise sound surfaces aren’t being sacrificed for the sake of modernisation. My message is instead of ripping doors out, wrap them, instead of changing the boardroom table, wrap it. It’s the most cost-effective and least disruptive way to give your premises a whole new look.”
Find out more about Unique Finishes at www.uniquefinishesuk.com