Knowing how to treat untreated wood for outdoor use is crucial since using it outdoors without treatment could cause the wood to bend, weather, and eventually disintegrate.
Applying the sealer, which acts as a shield over the wood, is the best technique that most people use until today.
Can wood be left untreated for outdoor use?
You can leave the wood untreated outside, but a few things help it live longer. It matters where you live and how much rain you get.
You should treat the outdoor wood immediately because it is likely to deteriorate faster when it is moist.
Water combined with natural occurrences can cause several things to break and decay over time. Therefore, waterproofing is crucial for any outside projects or items.
For your information, using wood with no treatment is still reliable but only for small-scale projects. Of course, you must consider the risk, as the wood is vulnerable and will no longer be in good condition after a few weeks.
How long does untreated wood last outside?
First, when faced with the same difficulties, treated wood will endure longer than untreated. If left untreated, weather and sunlight can degrade wood quickly.
The lifespan of untreated wood can range from a few months to more than two years. If you want to complete a project that will last a long time, you should choose treated wood or be sure you do the treatment yourself.
Things to take into account when utilizing untreated wood outside
You choose untreated or treated wood based on the type, scale, and duration. This matter is the factor that will affect the rest of the task when completing the project.
You can expect the untreated wood to last up to 2 years. This duration is considered decent or average, which people expect when using this wood.
You may use it for the short term but not advisable for a big and long-term project. The wood is easy to decay after receiving much sunlight exposure and more weather.
The durability of the wood varies, too. Some types of wood are incredibly resilient, whereas others begin to decay as soon as they absorb water.
You pick softwood like pine, spruce, cedar, and redwood as material for decks and fences
Softwood is less expensive and more environmentally friendly. If treated properly, the wood can last at least a decade. However, the project can only last less than two years if untreated.
You choose hardwoods like oak, walnut, mahogany, and maple for long-term projects. They can withstand weather and have a long lifespan, despite being more expensive and less environmentally friendly than softwood.
Treat wood with sealant or stain
The use of a wood sealant or stain is the simplest wood treatment. Your wood will last longer if you use a sealer to make it robust and resistant to the elements.
Sanding the wood’s surface is a necessary first step in preparing it. In this case, rough sandpaper is best for handling the wood because it will help you remove any prior treatments.
The leftover sanding particles should then be cleaned off the surface.
You find top manufacturers that produce and sell sealants, but you should only use high-quality products for the best finish. It would be great if you pick the sealant following the furniture and the use for which it will be put.
Choose a sealant that can be applied with a paint sprayer if you’re working with large pieces of wood. This will expedite and shorten the application process.
Start applying the first layer with a brush or sprayer after preparation. Make sure to spread the solution carefully, evenly, and completely cover all the areas, leaving no open spaces. After finishing, allow it to dry for 4 to 10 hours.
Following the first coat’s drying time, you also sand the surface of the wood. This is crucial because it improves the adhesion of the subsequent coat.
Make sure to sand using fine paper. After finishing, clean the area well to prepare for the second coat.
After the second coat is applied, let it dry. Keep in mind that each layer will dry more slowly than before.
When the second coat has dried, smooth the surface using fine sandpaper, and then use a towel to remove any remaining dust. You just wait approximately five days to ensure the stain is properly cured.
More to know about the outdoor wood sealer
Different wood sealers are quite simple to use. Water sealer combines chemicals and water with additional substances for superior UV protection. The sealer is the best used for fences, furniture, decks, and gazebos.
With this sealer, untreated wood can last longer. You can use a sprayer, brush, or roller when applying a coat of sealer. For large areas, a paint pad is a good choice, especially when the wood surface is flat.
Sealing untreated wood with epoxy
Chemically speaking, epoxy has great resistance to liquids and water. When the epoxy is applied, significant water resistance is used.
It has a solid thickness and can protect the wood from water damage. If epoxy is exposed to sunlight, it will eventually fade away.
Epoxy can be implemented for wood in several layers, but each layer must wait a day before the next one. The worst thing is that it is recommended that you let the epoxy layers dry for four days or longer after applying them.
Treat untreated wood for outdoor use with oil and exterior paint
Using wood oils is a natural technique to keep wood from deterioration, decay, and rotting. You can buy decking oil, which was made to be weather-resistant and protect against UV ray damage.
With wood oils, maintenance is a significant problem. It may be necessary to reapply the oil frequently because it may not endure weathering as well as the other solutions.
Exterior paint is appropriate for tasks like outdoor tables, fences, and flower pots, even though it’s not the top choice. You consider this option an experiment to understand whether this one is good or not.
How to treat pine for outdoor use?
Generally, you can treat pine-like other woods for outdoor use. Mostly, adding sealer is the quickest, simplest way because the method is straightforward, and most people can do it, even beginners.
Moreover, a sealer provides extra protection to keep out of harm after weather exposure.
Clear coat, pants, urethanes, and lacquer are other choices you can pick to treat untreated pinewood. The first thing to consider before choosing one is the project’s scale.
The clear coat is useful for smaller tasks such as furniture, where you may apply directly, and the process doesn’t take long.
