Untreated wood not only smells wonderful, it also invites you to touch it thanks to its special feel. However, it is not a good idea to leave the garden house exposed to rain, snow and sun completely raw. It would weather relatively quickly, mold could spread and the material would become unsightly. The beauty of the wood can be emphasized with oils and waxes. But is it enough to just oil a garden house or is painting a better choice?
Can I easily oil a garden shed?
Just oiling a garden house is ideal for indoor use, as oils and waxes offer a natural look and avoid harmful fumes. However, sensitive wood cannot be adequately protected from weathering with oil outdoors; resistant wood such as larch is recommended here.
Why use natural remedies?
Oils and waxes form a natural combination with the material wood. However, unlike paint, the protective layer does not seal the pores; the material can continue to breathe. Oils and waxes also do not emit any harmful fumes. They emphasize the beauty of the grain and convey a very natural look.
Ideal for indoor use
This makes natural products the best choice for the interior of the arbor. As a rule, the indoor climate is better and more pleasant.
Oiling is not enough to protect against weathering
However, the protective effect for outdoor use is not sufficient for sensitive wood. If you would like to avoid varnish here too, it is better to use naturally resistant types of wood such as larch. This does not require any additional weather protection. Larch, for example, forms a beautiful, silver-grey patina when untreated and at the same time offers a high level of resistance to the natural aging process of wood.
How to oil?
So that the products can penetrate well, correct application is important.
- Mist wooden surfaces with water using a spray bottle or pre-treat with a damp cloth. Don't forget to make grooves; a brush is suitable for this. This step is necessary so that the fine wood fibers stand up.
- Sand well until the material has a velvety feel.
– Vacuum up the resulting wood dust between each sanding step and water again.
- Apply oil or wax only one day later and without a special primer.
- You can use a brush or a cloth for this.
- Apply generously and spread in the direction of the wood grain.
- Let it absorb well and rub any excess with a cloth.
- Allow surfaces to dry for at least a day.
Tip
Wood needs to be re-oiled regularly, depending on how heavily the surface is used. For indoor walls, treatment is recommended approximately every two years.