Adjusting doors
Buying locally vs. out-of-town
Cleaning wood furniture
Finding prices
Leveling furniture
Locating a local retailer
Measuring furniture
Moving furniture
Ordering from factory
Questions about purchased furniture
Removing heat and water marks
Replacement parts
Veneer vs. solid wood
Upholstery quality, judging

Q: Can I, as a consumer, order furniture directly from Lexington's factory?
A: No, all Lexington Home Brands furniture is sold through fine retail stores, where you can see and touch the products that interest you first hand and have your questions and service issues handled by a knowledgeable staff.

Q: How can I locate a Lexington retailer in my local area?
A: Click on Store Finder at the top of any page, or call our automated information system at 800-LEX-INFO (539-4636), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You also may speak to one of our consumer services representatives at 336-474-5300, Extension 2, Monday-Friday, 8-5 Eastern.

Q: Why should I purchase furniture through a local retailer as opposed to a retailer outside my area?
A: By purchasing furniture through a local retailer you have the advantage of service before, during, and after the purchase of your furniture. This aspect of the furniture buying experience is very important. Buying locally also supports your area's economy. Finally, in most cases, you are more familiar with the reputation, services, and reliability of local retailers than you would be with retailers outside your area.

Q: How can I find prices for the Lexington pieces that interest me?
A: Authorized Lexington retailers are happy to answer any questions you might have, including those about pricing and shipping. See question above to find a retailer near you.

Q: What if I have questions or concerns about my Lexington Home Brands purchase?
A: Lexington Home Brands relies on our experienced retailers to provide service for our products after the sale. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the store where you purchased the furniture. If you have since moved, contact a Lexington retailer near you (see question above to find a retailer). We will be happy to provide your retailer with any necessary assistance.

Q: How do I get a replacement part for my Lexington furniture once it's out of warranty?
A: The best way to order parts is through the retailer where you purchased the item or from another authorized Lexington retailer. A retailer can help you correctly identify the part, find out if the product is still available or, if not, determine if there is a satisfactory substitute, and arrange for shipment.

Q: How do I read the measurements given for a piece of furniture or measure a piece myself?
A: All furniture measurements are taken at the widest point. Width is measured across the front of a piece; facing the piece, this would be from left to right; depth is measured from front to back; height is measured from the floor to the top of the tallest element. Bed length is measured from the outside or back of the headboard to the outside of the footboard. TV compartment measurements given are for the interior, usable space and should offer a little leeway. Construction tolerances and the inherent nature of wood may cause measurements to vary slightly (less than ¼ inch). If precise measurements are critical, as in purchasing a TV to fit inside an entertainment center, measure actual piece upon delivery.

Q: What is the difference between solid and veneer furniture?
A: Both hardwood and veneer play important roles in furniture construction, each having characteristics that make it appropriate for different tasks. Solid hardwood lends strength, hardness, and durability as well as beauty; it can be shaped and joined in a variety of ways. It is used for many smaller parts, door frames and raised panels, and any parts that require turning or shaping. Veneer is created by layering many thin slices of wood to create a stronger, thicker board. The use of veneer dates back to ancient Egypt and Rome; it has long been appreciated for its strength and decorative uses. In fancy-face veneer, a layer of expensive wood or woods is glued to a solid or composite core, often in decorative, inlaid patterns. These expensive woods, such as crotch mahogany, would be too costly or fragile to use alone as a structural component, but add beauty to table tops and door and drawer fronts. Veneer also is used to create large, stable panels, such as those found on the sides of entertainment centers. Each layer in this type of veneer is laid at right angles to the adjacent layers; the resulting "cross banding" minimizes shrinkage and swelling. The resulting board is exceedingly strong, dimensionally stable, and resistant to the warping that might occur with a solid board. Such furniture parts as tops, drawer fronts, shelves, end panels, etc., can be constructed from either veneer or solid wood, depending upon the design and targeted price.

Q: How do I judge the quality of upholstered furniture? What is eight-way hand-tied?
A: While much upholstery looks the same on the surface, it is the quality and construction underneath the fabric that determine its enduring usefulness. Quality upholstery will have hardwood frames, doweled and glued joints, and generous blocking, reinforcing, and padding. "Eight-way, hand-tied" refers to the system of springs beneath your seat cushions. This is acknowledged as the most durable of upholstered seating systems-an important consideration, especially for a piece that will get heavy use, as in a family room or den, or one you hope to keep for many years. The system's durability results from each tempered steel coil being tied to neighboring coils in eight different places, creating a secure, interlocking network of springs that support each other and will not come loose and be felt through the cushioning. Adding a perimeter ring of heavier gauge coils produces an especially strong base of support. All Lexington upholstery utilizes the eight-way, hand-tied system, except on the few pieces where the height of the seat deck is not sufficient to allow coil springs. Wicker seating uses a variety of durable support methods appropriate to the construction.

Q: How do I get my furniture to sit level on an uneven floor?
A: Large case pieces are furnished with levelers located in the support blocks in the front or rear corners and or center leg on the bottom of the case. To level, place the furniture in the desired location. Slightly tilt the case forward or backward as required to reach the levelers; rotate the levelers clockwise to raise the corner and counter clockwise to lower it. Take care that drawers are secured if you tilt the case forward.

Q: A door on my furniture won't close properly. Can I adjust it myself?
A: Often leveling your furniture, as described above, will enable a door to close properly. Additionally, you can loosen, tighten, or adjust hinges or adjust the door catch to align doors. Pocket doors also may be adjusted laterally, front-to-back, and for height with screws in the base and door plates (instructions are included when these items are shipped).

Q: What is the proper way to clean wood furniture?
A: It takes at least 17 steps, ending with a lacquer top coat, to create the fine finish on your Lexington furniture. To maintain its factory appearance requires treating it with care. You will find detailed furniture care information at this site under our Product Care section. In general, however, always use protective pads, trivettes, and placemats for their intended purposes. And remember, the chemicals in many products such as cologne, hair spray, or rubber products (don't overlook the feet on your computer) will destroy the finish; sharp or abrasive objects will scratch it; moisture will leave spots or rings; writing on a fine surface without protection will leave a permanent imprint; and the heat from dishes warmed in an oven, stove top, or even microwave will damage the finish. Avoid the use of oily or silicone-based cleaning or dusting sprays that build up a grimy film. For furniture that must stand up to hard use, you may want to consider items with laminate or polyurethane surfaces available from other manufacturers.

Q: How do I remove a heat mark or white moisture ring from my furniture?
A: Try mixing equal parts baking soda and regular white, non-gel toothpaste. Lightly dampen the corner of a clean, soft white cloth with water and dip it into the paste. With a circular motion, gently buff the marks for a few minutes. Wipe the area clean, and buff to a shine. Follow with non-silicone based furniture polish. Rings that remain after buffing for five minutes or so may have penetrated the wood, and the piece might require refinishing.

Q: What is the best way to move a large piece of furniture?
A: Get help! Most assembled furniture (beds, two-piece buffets, etc.) should be disassembled to move (whether across a room or across the country) unless it can safely be lifted from all sides at once. Tugging at furniture from one corner, particularly on carpet, can bend or tear out screws, distort screw holes, or generally loosen attached parts-sometimes requiring professional repair. To add a leaf to a dining room table, lift from each end as the table is pulled apart; do not drag across a carpet, which puts excessive pressure on the legs.