Protect and Preserve: The Ultimate Guide to Timber Finishes

Timber is a readily available, cost-effective natural material used in all types of building and construction. It’s safe to handle, easy to work with and offers a timeless elegance unmatched by anything else. It’s also versatile and adaptable to numerous projects, from wooden frames and flooring to outdoor furniture, and when treated against external factors lasts for centuries.

What are Timber Finishes?

Timber finishing is the process of protecting and refining wooden surfaces. It’s often the last stage of your project and is overlooked. Applying the right timber finish to the wood prevents dust and dirt buildup, wicks away moisture, helps restore grain structure, and highlights the material’s inherent good looks. Finishing wood also leads to easier cleaning, seals pores against bacteria and mould and adds value to lower-grade timber. There are different types of finishes, each offering a distinct blend of appearance, protection and durability.

Benefits They Provide

While bare and unfinished wood has a devout following, most projects with timber as the main ingredient require a timber finish. A decent product protects against environmental factors and daily wear and tear, strengthens joints by controlling moisture and heat levels, and keeps the material uniform by limiting warping. This is particularly important in improving durability and aesthetics in outdoor furniture, decking, wooden railing and more,

Appearances can also be maintained with easier cleaning once the right finish has been applied. You can additionally use finishing products for staining, toning or glazing wood, essentially changing colour or adding a protective transparent layer to highlight natural grain and structure.

Types of Finishes

There are two basic categories of wood finishes – penetrating and surface. They deal with wood in different ways and have their own set of benefits.

Penetrating Finishes

These go deeper and offer enhanced protection. They’re easy to apply and leave the wood with a natural look. The most common types are oil, lacquer and wood stains.

Oli timber finishes are effective at protecting all types of wood. They’ve existed for centuries, and are favoured when you want to retain the natural beauty and colour of timber. Timber oil is resistant to water and chemicals (specifically alcohol) and offers good protection for outdoor uses, such as patio decking and wood cladding. Oil is pigment-free, so leaves colours as is. It also works well against changing moisture and heat levels, is long-lasting, and requires little maintenance. The only downsides are the coatings need to be in multiple layers for full absorption and that surfaces be sanded and cleaned beforehand. Common timber oils include Danish oil and Tung oil.

Lacquer is a thin durable wood finish with high protection against dirt, water, and other contaminants. It’s particularly suited to hardwoods and brings out the material’s natural beauty. Choose lacquer for fast application times (one coat is often enough), fast drying, scratch-resistance and a clear, smooth look. While good for most uses, it pails in durability compared to other timber finishes and some lacquers are known to have a high volatile substance content (toxins) and can be flammable.

Wood stains are all about appearances and enhancing colours. To get the desired decorative finish (matte, gloss etc) apply stains in several brush coats for better absorption. Oil-based stains go deeper and offer better protection, darker and richer colours and add dimension. Water-based stains dry faster, are easier to clean and usually less expensive. However, they can also cause grain swelling or ‘raising’ leaving a rough surface.

Surface Finishes

These are suitable for everyday wooden pieces, and as the name implies, don’t penetrate the wood. Shellac, varnish and wax are the most common types.

Shellac is a wood resin made from lac bug secretions This is a clear, non-toxic gloss timber finish that is easy to apply, is quite durable, and also easy to fix if damaged. Its shortcomings include low resistance to water, heat and chemicals (so not ideal for outdoor use).

Varnish is an oil-based timber resin with good resistance to water, higher temperatures, impact and chemicals. It leaves a hard, transparent finish similar to lacquer. It is applied with a brush but requires more attention for the desired look. Varnish is suitable for exterior and interior use and works well in humid areas.

Wax is a translucent wood finish. It can be used on its own for indoor use or is combined with other penetrating types, specifically oils for higher outdoor protection in warmer climates. The finish enhances timber’s natural pores and grain and leaves an appealing low-gloss look. Waxes are easy to apply, and hold up against scratches and impact, but can struggle with water and chemicals. For more protection, they’re often combined with timber oils.

Choosing the Right Timber Finish for Your Application

Timber finishes provide lasting protection for untreated wood. The wide variety means you’ll need to make an informed choice as to what works best for each application. Consider where the timber or wood is located, the level of exposure to weathering and contaminants, and the effect of frequent contact, impact or floor traffic. And lastly, get a wood finish that also melds with the look you’re after.