How To Protect Outdoor Woods From Different Weathers

How to Weatherproof Wood for Outdoors: Explained in Detail

Decorating our outer spaces with the use of wood is very common. Generally, we use wood in different areas starting from our doors and windows to furniture sets placed in our garden areas. But, using a wooden material can be both beautiful and risky at the same time, if proper care is not taken. We all are aware of the fact that the exposure of wood to different weather conditions can put an impact on its overall beauty and texture.

For example, if somehow wood gets in contact with water, it starts to swell. And keeping wooden in the outer scapes will mean they will come in contact with harsh sun rays, moisture, humidity, and even frost during winter. These conditions can reduce the lifespan of the wood as it can cause warping, swelling, rotting, fading, etc. Hence, to avoid such conditions of the outer wood, we need to protect the wood by applying some of the following techniques discussed below.

Picking A Good Quality Wood

Picking A Good Quality Wood

The quality of material decides how long the object will survive. There are a lot of woods available in the market that can stand the harsh weather conditions and readily come with an extended lifespan. So, whether you are buying garden furniture or wood for the exterior from a store, make sure to check the wood used in making it. Quality objects might be costly, but it will be a one-time investment instead of changing it every two-three years. So, here is a list of some woods that are great for outdoor use.

1. Teak Wood

Teak Wood

This wood might cost you a bit higher, but it guarantees you the strength and durability you are looking for. This is a very common wood used in the making of furniture, doors, etc.

2. Cedar Wood

This is mainly imported from Malaysia, and the beauty of this wood is it requires very minimal maintenance.

3. Rose Wood

Choosing this wood for outdoor purposes is an awesome choice as it can stand changing temperatures without getting any damage and also it has in-built termite resistivity.

4. Satin Wood

These woods are strong and hard enough to stand any conditions without any damage. With less maintenance required, these woods are a great option for making furniture and wooden crafts.

5. Sal Wood

Sal Wood

Most used wood in the making of doors, beams, etc. This wood is resistant to water and termite, hence a quality choice for exteriors.

Methods to Protect Outer Wood

There are various methods used by owners to protect the outer wooden objects from scorching heat, heavy rain, or high humidity. Some of these protective measures for these woods are listed below:

1. Waterproofing Of Outdoor Wooden Objects

Waterproofing Of Outdoor Wooden Objects

The long-lasting and effective way to protect the exterior wood from harsh weather conditions is by waterproofing the wooden surface. The waterproofing is done in a step-by-step Guide for waterproofing wood and it takes time to fully waterproof a wooden object.

Step 1: The first step involves the preparation of wood to start the waterproofing process. Hence, to begin with, rough sandpapers are used to clean the surface and remove any irregularities present on the surface. To finish off the cleaning, use fine sandpapers to smoothen the surface and then clean or wipe it with a cloth to remove excess sand residues left.

But, in the case of new furniture, this step is not required. It just needs to be cleaned using fine sandpaper or cloth.

Step 2: It's a crucial step that will decide the quality of waterproofing. There are a lot of types of sealants available in the market depending upon the area of application or purpose of use. Hence, to protect the outdoor wood from harmful sun rays, rain, and humidity, the marine wood sealant is used. But, in case the marine wood sealant is not available or not preferred, then wood stain can be used, but it should be checked if it can be used for outdoor purposes or not.

Step 3: The coating of this sealant or stain can be done in two ways depending upon the area of use. If it is a large area, then using a spray gun will ease the task and will also reduce the time. But, in the case of small areas brushes can be used or spray guns are still an ideal choice.

Step 4: When everything is set for use, the first coating of the sealant or stain should be done. A uniform coating of sealant on the smooth surface should be applied using the brush or spray gun. After the coating process, it should be left for drying, for at least four to ten hours as per the instructions given on the product label.

Step 5: Some sealants require multiple coatings on the surface to fully waterproof the object. Hence, after the first coat dries completely, use fine sandpaper or steel wool to remove or clean the surface of the object again and prepare it for a second coating.

Step 6: Now, it's time for more coats of sealant or stains. The coating should be always done uniformly throughout the surface and should be left for the optimum amount of time. But, it should be kept in mind that each coat will take more time to dry than the previous coat. After another coat dries, repeat the cleaning process and apply the next coat up to the final one.

Step 7: This is the last step of the waterproofing process and in this step leave the object to dry and rest for at least three days before making it available to use.

2. Painting The Outdoor Wood

Painting The Outdoor Wood

Painting is done similarly, how waterproofing is done.

Step 1: Clean off the wooden object surface with sandpaper and remove irregularities.

Step 2: Choose the color of the paint you want on your wooden object.

Step 3: To begin with the painting process, use one coat of oil-based primer and let it dry and then use two coats of water-based primer on the surface. Let the whole coating dry completely before applying paint to it.

Step 4: Now, it's time to apply the desired color on the surface of the wooden object. But, make sure the surface is smooth, or else use some smooth material to wipe the surface before applying. Once the surface is ready, apply at least three coats of paint on the wooden object and let it rest to dry out completely.

Step 5: To finish off the painting process, put two coats of exterior polyurethane. After all the steps, keep the furniture or wooden object aside for a few days before use.

3. Use Furniture Covers

Use Furniture Covers

Another easy way to protect the outdoor wood is by covering it with protective covers to avoid any damage caused by weather. These covers are generally made with polyester, vinyl, or canvas, and most of these come up with features like waterproof and UV-resistant. So, always choose a cover that can completely wrap up the object and protect it from outside weather.

4. Changing Positions

This is more like a precaution, not a cure for any issue caused by weather. Moving the furniture or benches placed in direct sunlight or before the rain to a safe and shady place can also extend the lifespan of the furniture.

Conclusion

We can not change the weather conditions, but we can sure protect our things from changing weather. There are a lot of ideas and methods available to protect the wood from all climates and make it available for use in outdoor areas.

ronald

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