DIY Guide: How To Treat Wood for Outdoor Use

The most typical building material in use today is probably wood. Concrete is the only serious rival it has in this sense, but wood has been around for a much longer time. However, wood always possessed a significant flaw: it rots and disintegrates with time.

Thankfully, people have developed several creative ways to stop this degradation. Particularly for people who use wood for their outdoor usages, such as benches, tables, chairs, or decks, it becomes crucial for them to treat their wood regularly. And thankfully, there are various ways to accomplish this. However, not all wood-treating ways are useful and should be tried. In this article, we will discuss the most common and useful ways to treat wood and what benefits each way can provide you, which are as follow.

Apply Oil Finishes

You may be curious how individuals waterproofed wood until plastic-based sealers were invented. The explanation is that people used to apply various oil finishes to outside wood. Giving your wood a hand-rubbed oil finish isn’t that difficult, and it also has the added benefit of making the wood seem lovely.

Linseed oil and Tung oil are the two most common types used to finish wood. Linseed is derived from the flax plant, whereas Tung oil is derived from the Tung tree. Though not as profoundly as other substances, these oils penetrate the wood’s grain. However, the objective is to offer a waterproof surface, which they will provide. Linseed oil is frequently employed for musical instruments and pricey wooden crafts, although Tung oil has a long history of use for various wooden elements. These two ingredients may be combined in formulations frequently marketed as “Danish Oil.”

Follow these procedures step by step for applying a hand-rubbed oil wood finish:

Sand the wood’s surface lightly after cleaning it.
Brush the oil finish to the top layer using a paintbrush with gentle bristles.
Let the oil completely absorb the surface. For a clearer understanding of your timeline, refer to the product label. Add more if you notice any dry areas as the product dries.
Wipe any extra oil that didn’t seep into the wood with dry, clean cloths.
Lightly sand the surface again.
Apply as many more layers as desired. Then remember to lightly smooth the surface between each layer.

Benefits of Oil Finishing

Oil finishes can be more durable, but you might need to apply multiple coats to provide the same level of defense.
Oil finishes will bring out the natural beauty of the wood, giving it a pleasant, warm, and smooth appearance.
You won’t need to re-sand if you care for your oil-finished floor.
Natural oils have less impact on the environment because they are less volatile.
Natural oil finishes etch deeper into the wood than conventional wood finishes.

Apply Wood Sealers

Wood sealers are one of the most reliable ways to keep your wood from rotting and weathering. While they don’t use pressure, they function similarly to pressure therapy. Most wood sealants are made of a plastic or acrylic compound. The wood is subsequently covered with this substance, which is then let to soak the material. The top of a few inches of the wood will be covered in plastic on both sides of the surface when it dries. Positively, softer wood will enable the sealer to penetrate much deeper.

The method of applying a wood sealant is super easy and fast through the following steps:

Sand the wood’s surface lightly after cleaning it.
Liberally coat the surface with sealant. You can apply it with a brush or a towel. You can also use a spray gun. You must avoid leaving any observable sealer streaks.
Permit the sealant to finish drying. To get a decent indication of the duration that will take, check the product label. Although 24 hours is usual, some will pass far more quickly.
Before adding another coat of sealant, sand the surface once more. Use the optimum quality of sandpaper that you can locate, please.
Apply a third layer after the second has dried.

Benefits of Applying Wood Sealers

Correct sealing stops the wood from interacting with the finish on your hardwood floors to avoid deterioration of the wood.
The wood sealant barrier lengthens the wood finish’s lifespan and assists in preventing damage to the wood.
Your hardwood floors can be kept in their rich, desired color by applying wood sealing.
A greater color variety is possible when using a wood sealer. Because of sealers, a wide range of color options, including whitewash and natural, are now accessible.

Use Stain-Sealer Combinations

You may apply a stain and a sealer simultaneously if you’re having problems picking between the two. There are several options available that combine sealant and stain in one solution. You might save time completing everything in one go if you plan to accomplish both tasks. The ingredients that make up these goods are extremely straightforward. The polyurethane-based sealer can color and seal simultaneously by mixing in a dye. This kind of finish is especially beneficial for wood that is light in color. Over time, polyurethane-based coatings frequently become yellow and fade, making the wood appear older than it is. When using, this impact is particularly perceptible. The method of applying the stain-sealer combination in a step-by-step guide is as follows:

Sand the wood after cleaning it gently.
Apply the wood sealer product on the wood.
Give additional time to dry before every next application.
To combine the two products and additional processes, carefully check the product label.

Benefits of Using Stain-Sealer Combinations on Wood

Water cannot harm the stain and wood because of the barrier created by coating the log siding, corners, and trim using stain-sealer combinations.
By protecting your wood siding, you can save needless ongoing upkeep and repairs.
Before applying stain and sealing, the wood will be properly prepared to ensure that these materials adhere well and last longer.
A fresh layer of stain can revive the color, seal the wood, and enhance its inherent beauty.

Use Pressure Treatment

This is an industrialized procedure. Therefore DIY projects are not an option. The wood is coated with preservatives using hot water, pressure, and several different preservation agents. The pressure drives it well into the wood’s grain to eliminate any danger of internal rotting.

Usually, alkaline copper quaternary, copper azole or another copper compound is utilized as a preservative. It’s not strange that this component would be utilized because copper is very resistant to weathering. Don’t be concerned if you purchase pressure-treated lumber that seems wet because the water will evaporate and leave the preservatives behind. See the product label and instructions to apply the pressure treatment on wood.

Benefits of Using Pressure Treatment on Wood

A fresh layer of stain can revive the color, seal the wood, and enhance its inherent beauty.
Pressure-treated lumber is offered in a variety of sizes to suit a variety of uses.
Pressure-treated lumber will endure far longer than raw wood in any setting exposed to the outdoors or regular wetness.
It is worthwhile for any application requiring resistance to moisture, bacteria, fungi, or insect damage.
Pressure-treated lumber may be simply sawed to size, just like other kinds of timber products, and connectors like nails will easily pierce it.

Apply Varnishes

They are typically constructed of extremely similar polyurethane, varnishes, and sealants. The way it functions is what distinguishes a varnish from an oil finish. Unlike most alternatives, varnishes are not intended to sink into the wood. Instead, a varnish forms a waterproof coating added in layers to form an extremely durable outside layer. This protective shell deters moisture and absorbs shock without damaging the wood.

Simply follow these simple instructions to varnish something made of wood:

The location you choose must be prevented dust, lint, and other tiny material from contaminating the varnish. Additionally, your workspace needs to be well-ventilated.
Use some fine sandpaper to give the outermost layer a little roughness. For the smoothest finish, sand the wood along its grain.
Wipe all wood debris from the recently sanded surface using a soft cloth.
Combine mineral spirits and varnish in roughly equal amounts. To make it easier for healing.
Arrange your pieces flat and use a soft-bristled brush to apply the varnish. Apply the first coat by brushing across the grain and the second layer by rubbing with the grain.
Allow the wood to dry fully. See the product label for the exact drying time, typically 24 hours.
Continue applying coats until the appropriate thickness is achieved.

Benefits of Applying Varnishes on Wood

It is used to beautify unpainted wood and other woodwork surfaces while preserving the lovely wood grain.
To protect the wood’s surface from the harmful effects of the weather.
It is used to protect against hairline fractures and to soak up damage from external factors such as scratching.
Painted wooden surfaces undergo varnishing to improve the paint’s look and the paint film’s tensile strength.

Bottom Line

Treating wood is essential, especially when an individual uses it for outdoor activities. The elements mentioned above are the most common and useful ways to treat your outdoor wood. However, following the step-by-step guide and essential care is necessary to achieve the optimum result. While not every way would work out for your outdoor wood, consider the final result you expect from your wood’s appearance and type to receive the best results.