Stepping back to appreciate your brand new timber decking is an amazing feeling, all the hard work, and sweat that went into constructing it finally paying off. However, the work doesn’t just stop there, once it’s been built the next step is to ensure it remains in immaculate condition all year around. To do this it’s important to coat your decking in a variety of timber finishes and regularly re-coat it all year round. For the inexperienced, it can be daunting not knowing whether to use Timber Oil or a stain to achieve the most optimal results. If you need help protecting your timber keep reading to find out some of our top tips for deck protection.
The color of wood oil is similar to the natural color of wood, while clear oil improves the existing color, appearance, and grain. Remember that stain changes the color of the wood, while oil changes color and tone. Stains are a greater change in color than wood oil, which improves and maintains the longevity of the natural color of the wood.
If your deck is made of other cheap wood materials, some kind of paint or stain may work best for you. Deck stain is good to give you a wonderful colored look and change the color of the wood, while deck oil is good to give you some extra shine. When the oil is applied, prepare a bright stain on the wood. The stain helps to preserve the wood when the stain is carried along in oil.
Oil-based deck stains have been around for decades and provide excellent protection for wood outdoors. In general, they can last as long, depending on the type of wood and weather conditions, especially if the deck is to be unprotected and stained. For wood exposed to harsh conditions such as fences, decks, docks, pergolas, and other outdoor structures and surfaces, oil stains are recommended.
Due to its deep penetration into the wood and its effectiveness in waterproofing, terrace oil provides excellent protection against mold and fungi. Deck stains based on oil or acrylic also offer a degree of water resistance, which prevents rain from saturating the wood, causing swelling, deformation, and rotting.
Although water-based stains do not contain oil, they are recommended for cedar, sequoia, cypress, and other woods that rot at the natural oils. Oil-based stains are used on wood surfaces to protect against moisture damage caused by oil-shedding water and to prevent rot.
Board stains are primarily intended to change the color of the board and improve the appearance of the wood by highlighting the natural grain. Alternatively for interior flooring, it is recommended to use the feast Watson liming white floor finish, this finish is ideal for lighter floors and interior settings.
The resin used in oil stains contains materials that act as food sources for mold, mildew, and algae – which can cause your deck to turn black. The stain reinforcement brings out the properties of the grain and makes the wood appear more natural and colorful, while the wood itself is protected. Terrace oil is designed to protect the natural color of the wood by replacing the oil contained in the wood that evaporates and fades over time. It is not designed to change the color of the wood as water-based oils may darken the wood.
Keeping your decking and timber flooring in good condition is easy when you know which timber finishes to use. Ensure you adequately apply Stains and Oils when necessary and keep your timber looking brand new.
