My son and I started up a wood shop last year because we wanted to start building specialized furniture.
We learned that we really needed a great HVAC system in our building because we were going to have to use the ventilation system nearly all the time, what with all of the stains and varnishes that we were going to be using.
There is no way to use stains, paint, and varnish is the way that we need to use if you don’t have a good heating and cooling system. You will basically suffocate from breathing in all of the fumes if you don’t have a good ventilation system. Indoor air quality is really important when you are running a wood shop anyway. Not only do you have to make sure to keep the building well ventilated, but you also have to make sure that the humidity levels are just right because of your wood stock. That means that in the summer you have to really get an air conditioning system. Air conditioning systems are great for removing humidity during the summer time. When you are running a workshop the way that we are, you may have to use a dehumidifier and a humidifier at different times of the year. Otherwise your wood stock and your finished pieces might end up getting too dry or too warped to use. I think that we have a good shot at making a go of this business once we get everything up and running correctly. Now that we have a great HVAC system, nothing should be able to stop us. Our ventilation system is great, so we won’t be breathing in any fumes.