Alberta is only of the few places in Canada where many new homes still have lacquer finishes on the trim and doors. Here are some of the pro and cons of lacquer: Pros:

• Dries fast, painter can apply several coats in a day.

• Hard finish that can be can be sanded quickly.

• Beautiful finish if applied properly.

• Durable

Cons:

• Toxic, respirators need to be worn by anybody in house or area.

• Very hard surface, but will crack over time. Especially on interior window sills.

• Difficult to touch up.

• Bad for the environment.

• Can’t be used in a repaint.

• Clear lacquers can blush if there is to much moisture in the environment.