Useful Information

Manufacturing Process

The Charles Barr range of furniture is not mass produced. Dealing in small batches of furniture, our manufacturing process begins with parts for each of our two hundred plus models being machined before being transferred to storage racks where they are held as part stocks. This process will also be repeated in our specialised veneer shop where decorative panels and other components are veneered after undergoing machine processes.

On receipt of your order one of our cabinet makers will be issued with a job sheet and the relevant stock parts of the order will be drawn off and assembled to order by a skilled cabinet maker. We do not use flow line or mass production techniques.

The batch method of production that we use combined with individual assembly provides the added benefit of enabling us to offer our customers a bespoke or customised service that may require the changing of door design or alternative plinth styles or perhaps added decoration to match a piece of existing furniture or a piece from one of our other collections.

After assembly your order will be ready for polishing. Our main finishing process involves the use of cellulose lacquers. These offer the best use of modern technology which we combine with traditional finishing skills that allow a degree of protection against heat, water and spirit spillages.

There are over a dozen separate individual processes that combine to make the Charles Barr finish. The average finishing or polishing time on any one piece will be five working days, unlike some of our lower quality competitors that produc e a less expensive sprayed pre coloured finish in hours. This less expensive method of polishing masks out grain clarity and gives little protection to the timber underneath it. If chipped the ligh ter woods underneath will be acutely visible.

How to Maintain a Charles Barr Finish

Any piece of furniture should be dusted on a regular basis; ours is no different. Using a soft clean cloth always wipe in the direction of the grain and avoid circular rotating movements.

To remove any greasy marks use a soft cloth lightly dampened with warm water mixed with a little vinegar or mild detergent such as washing up liquid. Apply the solution wiping in the direction of the grain and after wiping using a clean dry cloth lightly buff up the surface, again wiping in the direction of the grain.

For stubborn marks substitute the water solution with white spirit or turpentine and apply in the same way as above before buffing with a clean soft cloth. It should be noted that if the white spirit / turpentine solution is used to often you will need to re wax the surfaces being cleaned.

Waxing Your Furniture

PLEASE NOTE UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY SILICONES OR SILICONE IMPREGNATED CLOTHS BE USED IN ANY OF THESE CLEANING OR WAXING PROCESSES. If applied they can leave a silicone film that will cloud the finish and in turn prevent general repairs being carried out easily.

The final finishing process involves completely waxing your piece of furniture by hand therefore all Charles Barr furniture that leaves our factory will not need to be waxed for at least twelve to eighteen months. When new wax is applied, a non silicone furniture wax should be used very sparingly.

Apply any wax using a soft clean cloth again wiping in the direction of the grain. A second clean cloth should then be used to remove any excess wax and to buff the surface.

Leather Tops

Our leather tops are available in a choice of colours. Only the best quality leather hides are used and once laid in place, 22 carat gold and blind tooling is then applied to the leather surface using heated brass wheeled tools. Once tooled the top is then antiqued which highlights the leather grain texture, and when dry, tops are sealed with french polish before a final beeswax compound is applied.

Sizes of our Furniture

All measurements shown are given to the nearest centimetre and inch. Sizes are shown as height x width x depth unless otherwise specified.

Timbers

Specification of a particular wood is intended to indicate the principle solid or veneer used in its construction, and not an indication that the entire piece is made of that timber. Bandings, and finishes may use different timbers, and we reserve the right to use any suitable material.

Glazing

We still use traditional methods when glazing our cabinets. Door beads are cut from solid timbers to form the decorative shaped beaded patterns that are prominent on our cabinet doors.

Each pane of glass is cut individually by hand and fitted to its aperture before being held in place with small glazing pins before a special dyed putty is applied to fix it firmly in place. This method of glazing has been used throughout the ages unlike some modern day practises that cut down on costs by using one sheet of glass and applying bent or plastic beads to its facia.

For larger panes of glass such as those used on our Grandeur, Corinthian, Trafalgar and Regal collections bevelled toughened panes are used and held in place via the traditional methods described above.

Cabinet Fittings

All of the cabinet fittings on Charles Barr Furniture such as handles, castors, keys, escutcheons and hinges are all made from solid brass as standard. Castors and hinges are supplied in a bright polished  finish; all other fittings are supplied in an antiqued finish. However, if preferred, polished brass can be supplied throughout at a small extra cost.

Cabinet Interiors

All interior low voltage lights in our cabinets are fitted with dimmer switches that are normally touch operated via the top right hand facing hinge. Touch the hinge once to turn on or off, to adjust the strength of light; remain touching the hinge until the required strength of light is achieved. This process is required to dim or brighten lights.

Fabric backs are supplied in a moiré fabric which is fixed to a separate internal back. Once covered each internal back is held in position by small brass pins.

Cutlery Drawers

Our cutlery drawers are constructed from timber divisions that are glued and screwed into position as a permanent fixture to the drawer before being lined with green baize. Unless specified the divisions within the drawer will be to a standard format, however on request we are able to offer a planned drawer service.

Upholstery

All of our dining chairs are upholstered using traditional webbing methods. All standard range fabrics supplied comply with current UK fire and safety regulations, fabrics that are non fire retardant are covered in a fire retardant barrier cloth. We are able to cover our chairs in customers’ own covers, but any fabrics supplied for this service must be supplied with a UK fire retardant certificate; fabrics that do not comply will attract an extra charge for fire retardant barrier cloth.

Delivery to our Trade Customers

Our acknowledgment of your order will include our estimated despatch date by week number. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the quoted delivery date, our delivery time may vary depending on circumstances governing at the time.

All UK mainland deliveries are carried out by our own transport. In the event of customers requiring extra labour or delivery directly to a site address, we reserve the right to charge for this service.