Should You Oil or Varnish Outdoor Furniture?

It’s a question many homeowners ponder when purchasing new furniture for their outdoor space.

The answer depends on several factors, such as the type of wood, the climate and weather conditions, and the look you’re trying to achieve.

Oil is a great choice for outdoor furniture made from certain types of wood, such as teak. It penetrates deeply into the wood, providing protection from water and other elements.

Oiling your outdoor furniture also helps maintain its natural color and gives it a rich luster that’s difficult to achieve with other finishes.

Varnish is another popular choice for outdoor furniture. It provides an extra layer of protection against moisture and other environmental factors by creating a sealed finish over the surface of the wood.

For this reason, varnish is often used on hardwoods such as oak and maple that are more susceptible to water damage than teak. Varnish also enhances the natural beauty of wood by giving it a glossy finish.

When choosing between oiling or varnishing your outdoor furniture, consider your climate and weather conditions. If you live in an area with high humidity or frequent rain showers, varnishing your furniture may be the better choice since it provides greater protection against moisture than oiling does.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, whether you choose to oil or varnish your outdoor furniture depends on several factors including type of wood, climate and weather conditions, and desired look. Varnishing generally provides more protection against moisture than oiling does; however, oiling can help maintain natural color and give it a deeper luster than varnishing can offer. Consider all these factors before making a decision on how best to protect your outdoor furniture.

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Alex Wright