Wood treatment finishes provide additional layers of protection to wooden furniture, artifacts and structures against environmental damage while making cleaning simpler.
A great wood finish beautifies wood by deepening its color and accentuating grain patterns. Additionally, it protects it by controlling moisture transference. Without it, however skilled your construction may be, your woodwork could experience environmental stress that shortens its life expectancy.
Prevents warping and cracking
Wood warping is an all too common phenomenon caused by changes in moisture levels. Wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning it absorbs and releases moisture based on its surrounding environment, such as humidity levels. When humidity increases, its molecular structure expands; as humidity decreases, its molecular structure contracts causing constant shape shifts to create warping. To combat warping properly treated finishes can prevent warping by sealing it, decreasing moisture absorption rates and sealing gaps within it to seal against warping altogether.
Kiln-dried lumber can be an effective means of preventing warping. Kiln drying involves heating wood until its EMC (Equilibrium Moisture Content) has been reached; this reduces swelling and shrinkage caused by changes in humidity levels.
Wood’s environmental impact depends on its sawing and processing. Flat-sawn boards and quarter-sawn boards with symmetrical growth rings tend to expand and contract evenly, helping prevent “cup” warping. Proper storage and stacking is also essential; wood should be stored in an area protected from rain, snow and direct sunlight for optimal results.
Before beginning to apply any type of finish to wood, it’s essential that you read both its ingredients and application directions closely. Different finishes require specific tools and materials; make sure you have what is needed prior to beginning. Likewise, always ensure your workspace is dust-free – any oils from your hands could transfer to the product, leading to uneven expansion/contraction patterns on its surface.
Once wood has been stained or filled, allow it to fully dry before applying a protective layer such as oil-based varnish. Although varnish products take some time to cure completely, they’re the best way to shield against warping and cracking.
Some of these finishes contain ingredients designed to block or absorb UV rays in order to protect wood projects from fading over time, thus significantly increasing their lifespan.
Prevents moisture absorption
When selecting a finish for wood, it’s essential to take both protection level and appearance into consideration when making a selection. While water and oil-based finishes provide different levels of coverage, stain and paint allow more natural colors of the wood grain to show through.
A film-forming acrylic polyurethane (polyurethane) finish is the most frequently used wood finish, offering surface protection through hard protective layers that form on wood surfaces and block moisture absorption, thus helping prevent warping and cracking of wooden structures. However, no finish can fully stop exchange of moisture between wood and atmosphere due to unsealed end grains and defects in coatings allowing moisture passage.
Linseed or tung oil finishes provide another effective option for protecting wood projects from moisture. Hand-rubbed into the surface, these natural food-grade coatings add depth of color while simultaneously helping prevent moisture absorption into the wood itself. However, this type of finish requires frequent reapplication.
Stain is an age-old way of finishing wood, available in an array of colors to meet any design vision. Comprised of pigment, carrier and binder components working together to form its colorant tone, stain can be used indoors or outdoors depending on its use and environmental considerations.
Water-based stains dry quickly, making your project quicker to complete. While they tend to be more durable than their oil counterparts, they may not stand up as well against UV damage and fading.
Oil-based stains take longer to dry but provide richer, more natural colors than their water-based counterparts. Ideal for both interior and outdoor use, oil-based products should have low yellowing levels when exposed to sunlight; otherwise they may turn yellow over time.
There is a range of finishes on the market designed to protect wood and metal surfaces, such as polyurethanes. While oil-based polyurethanes offer strong, long-term protection from stains and fade, they produce many fumes during application, taking longer than other finishes to dry completely.
Prevents mold and mildew
Mold and mildew thrive in humid or wet environments1, such as those caused by humidity, condensation, or leaks that do not dry completely2. They need food in the form of dirty surfaces; having a protective finish on wood surfaces keeps them clean and unappetizing to mold spores.
If a surface becomes infested with mildew or mold, there are products available to kill and remove it without harming the wood itself. Following product instructions carefully will help ensure an affected area can be thoroughly cleaned and dried before applying a fresh finish to that surface.
Furniture finished to resist moisture and UV damage will ensure its aesthetic remains in great shape for years. These finishes often include moisture repellents and stabilizers that shield it against sun-ray damage.
Oil-based polyurethane, varnish and shellac are three popular finishes on the market; each has their own advantages and disadvantages. Oil-based polyurethane is durable with different sheen options and stain resistance; however it emits strong fumes during application that require ample ventilation if used safely; furthermore it may yellow over time, altering its appearance4.
Shellac is an age-old natural resin used for wood treatment. It dries quickly and can even be applied directly onto food-contact surfaces; use alone or mix it with coloring agents for more decorative effects. Unfortunately, however, shellac does not fully seal wood surfaces permanently and must be reapplied periodically in order to remain effective.
Before choosing your wood treatment finish, do your homework. Research its chemical makeup and effects on the type of wood you are working with before making your selection. Unfortunately there’s much misinformation regarding this subject so heeding advice from industry experts like Bob Flexner’s “Understanding Wood Finishing,” considered by many to be “The Bible” of Wood Finishing will ensure that you select appropriate finishing materials for your projects.
Prevents fading
There are various methods for protecting wood from fading and deterioration, but one of the most effective approaches is applying treatment finishes that provide an extra barrier against harsh UV rays that damage wood fibers over time and lead to greying or becoming brittle over time.
Wood treatment finishes are also designed to prevent mold and mildew growth, by keeping water and household chemicals off of the wood surface and away from its pores – thus helping avoid warping, rotting and other types of decay. When applied properly, they can even improve the aesthetic appeal of finished projects – including maintaining natural grain patterns while emphasizing colors from within the timber itself.
Water-based stain and paint finishes are among the most widely used wood treatments, due to their fast drying time and reduced odor. Unfortunately, however, they tend to wear away faster than oil-based coatings and must be reapplied regularly; on the other hand, oil-based stains tend to be more costly and take longer to dry; but offer greater protection from fading, moisture absorption, and other common problems.
Wax and varnish finishes provide an easy, protective covering, but do not last as long. Wax also leaves an uneven matte surface that might clash with other aspects of an item’s style.
Other wood treatment finishes such as oil and tung oil penetrate deeply into the wood grain for an authentic appearance, providing food-grade resistance against fading, heat and moisture more than water-based treatments. They’re food safe as well as food grade safe.
When selecting a wood finish treatment, be sure that it is designed specifically for the type of wood you are working with. Each species of wood absorbs finishes differently, so be sure to follow manufacturer recommendations when choosing one for use on your particular type of timber. Also allow time for it to fully dry before handling or cleaning up afterwards.
Wood treatments can extend the lifespan of wooden projects, but require regular care and maintenance to remain effective. You should clean your wood regularly and reapply its treatment periodically in order to preserve its durability. Furthermore, it’s best if you opt for one without toxic chemicals or vapors as it will ensure maximum lifespan.