Is It Best to Varnish or Oil Outdoor Furniture?

Outdoor furniture can be a great addition to your garden, patio or balcony. It can provide you with a comfortable place to relax, socialise or just enjoy the outdoors.

But when it comes to protecting your outdoor furniture from the elements, deciding between varnish or oil can be tricky. Both options offer good protection for your furniture, but there are some differences that you should consider before making a decision.

Varnish is one of the most popular finishes for outdoor furniture as it provides a glossy, hard-wearing finish that protects the wood from wear and tear as well as water damage. Varnish also creates a barrier against UV radiation and prevents fading or discolouration of the wood. The main downside of varnish is that it tends to be more expensive than oil and requires more time and effort to apply.

Oil is another popular choice for outdoor furniture as it penetrates deeper into the wood than varnish, providing better protection against moisture and rot. Oil also doesn’t require as much preparation work before application and is much easier to maintain than varnish as it can simply be wiped down with a damp cloth. The main downside of oil is that it doesn’t provide quite as much protection against wear and tear as varnish does.

Conclusion

So ultimately, which one should you choose? It really depends on your preferences and needs – if you want a hard-wearing finish that provides good protection against UV radiation then varnish might be the best option for you. But if you’re looking for an easier option that provides good protection against rot then oil might be better suited to your needs.

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Jennifer Watson