Spring furniture renovation
Wooden garden equipment must be protected against damage at least once a year, preferably before the summer season. The biggest enemies of wooden furniture and garden equipment are water, moisture and UV rays.Wet wood is an ideal place for the development of mold fungi that can cause many respiratory diseases and allergies.Moisture also reduces the durability of the material, causing it to crack. The effect of mold is a white coating that appears on wood after winter.Another effect of excess moisture is algae growth.
Equally dangerous is exposure to UV rays. By decomposing cellulose, they change the color of the wood and eventually turn it gray.In turn, small holes in the wood are a sign of insects feeding inside.Knocker, bark beetles and bacteria can completely decompose the material, gradually weakening its structure and reducing its density. As a result, the equipment loses its design properties.
Oiling refines the wood
Oiling is an old and proven way to protect wood against damage due to weather conditions. They are recommended for all types of wood, but especially for exotic species. The oil penetrates deeply into the material and effectively protects against water attack.Even damage to the top layer of the wood will not reduce its resistance to moisture.The oil does not contain solvents and brings out the natural shine of the wood.
A coating is not formed on the surface of the element, which may later crack or peel off. The oil emphasizes and brings out the beautiful pattern of the wood.Linseed oil, as an ingredient in wood care products, has the best protective properties when pressed cold.Dries very slowly but is well absorbed.
We apply it to the surface in thin layers with a brush or cloth. It is used for priming and as a finishing layer.However, it cannot be used on previously varnished, painted or impregnated surfaces.
Teak oil is recommended for exotic woods.
Protect the wood against constant contact with water
Some types of wood are resistant to weather conditions even without advanced maintenance.The best example of this are old cottages and mills that can be found here and there. Water does not do much damage to wood if the wooden structure dries out quickly after rain. This is not a problem on vertical walls.
However, the terrace must be arranged so that there are small gaps between the boards.The boards themselves are placed on the joists, not directly on the ground.If possible, lay the floor with a slight 1-2 degree slope. Fence posts are fixed in the ground with a metal foot.
Adjusting the preparation to the type of wood
Before selecting a protective preparation, take into account the conditions of use of the equipment and its final appearance.The type of wood is also important - hard domestic species are protected differently, they are exotic.If the elements were previously painted, remove the layer of varnish or paint to obtain raw wood.
Then you need to smooth them, but intensive sanding can destroy his drawing.In order for the preservation treatment to be successful, they must be dried beforehand.The humidity of domestic wood should not exceed 18%, and that of exotic wood - 15%. Only under such conditions the impregnation will penetrate well into all layers of the material.
The most popular exotics are teak, eucalyptus and meranti. Tables and armchairs made of them will withstand virtually any weather, and they are not sensitive to detergents, so they can be washed. Once a year, after the summer season, they should be cleaned and then well oiled.Furniture made of wood should not be stored in too dry and warm places, because they may crack.
