Arnev Products :: Wood Cover Plates Article

Wood Cover Plates Article

Wood Cover Plates Article

Wood Cover Plates and Outlet Covers Article.

Wood cover plates and outlet covers are beyond boring.  Many view them as a necessity for covering up the electrical gadgets that exist in your walls.  Most contractors use those cheap plastic switch plates, although some of them "get fancy" by adding those gaudy plastic covers that are accented with gold or silver. 

Most homeowners don't give these covers a second thought.  However, if you value home design and you want your home to make a statement you have to check out these  wood cover plates.  Although they are little details in your home decor, they can add uniqueness to your overall design and make your home more attractive to guests (or to buyers if your home is on the market).

Arnev Products Inc. offers quite a variety of custom-made wood cover plates.  You can actually choose the type of wood (from 40 different wood types) and the configuration that is needed based on the design of the switch or outlet.  We even customize covers for telephone, internet and cable wires to turn that distracting component into a well thought out design feature. 
 
Wood Cover Plates

Tips for Choosing the Wood Type

When choosing the type of wood that you desire consider:

  • The wood grain

  • The color of the raw wood

  • The decor that exists or is intended

  • The type of furniture and/or cabinets that is in the room 

Each type of wood cover plates have an original wood grain that is eye catching.  Yellow Pine, African Mahogany and Douglas Fir  have the most subtle wood grain, when compared to Ash, Pecan and Oak wood. Tennessee Cedar is a great addition to rustic decor or country decor, while for modern decor Teakwood or Bloodwood is more likely to complement the ambience. 

Many home decorators recommend matching the wood cover plates and outlet covers perfectly to the furniture or cabinets that is featured in the room.  This is totally possible with the wide variety of wood cover plates that we offer and the fact that the covers come unfinished.  You can actually stain or varnish your wall covers yourself to precisely match the furniture or cabinets in the room. 

If you prefer, we do offer the service of staining or poly-coating the wall plates for you, but most of our customers choose to do that themselves. 

Wood cover plates are great for the creative type.  They can be decorated by painting them, stenciling on them or for painting an original design on each one.

Protecting Your Wood Cover Plates

Although our custom-made wood cover plates and outlet covers come unfinished, we do recommend that you at least cover them with a poly coating or varnish to protect the wood.  It also makes them easier to clean.  It is not recommended that you use the unfinished wood without some type of protection. 

When it comes to Pine Wood and Cedar, many use both furniture and wall covers without finishing it because they prefer that "natural look".  If you choose to use unfinished wood, here are some tips for keeping it looking its best:

  • Guard the wood from direct exposure to sunlight or heat.

  • Dust the wood regularly using a clean duster or cloth to keep the dust from building up

  • Wash the wood occasionally using a damp cloth and mild wood soap

  • Apply protective wood oil to the wood at least once a year to keep the wood from drying out and cracking

Wood cover plates and switch plates make it possible for you to add exclusivity to any home decor.  After all, the ingenuity is in the details.