4 tips for protecting wooden products

Spring has finally arrived and many of us have already started with spring garden maintenance. Of course, we must not forget about good and high-quality protection for your wooden products. Because only with proper protection will they retain their lifespan and quality. Now is the last time to take care of this.

We recommend inspecting all wooden surfaces, especially those that were directly exposed to rain and snow. For durability, or rather for significantly extending the lifespan of wood, it is very important to choose the same coating as the existing one, because only that coating will effectively adhere to the substrate.

We advise against the use of varnishes

On surfaces that are directly exposed to water, it is especially necessary to be careful when choosing wood protection. We advise against all protections that contain varnishes, because when varnish loses its elasticity, it cracks and water gets into the wood. The moisture content of wood that is directly exposed to weather conditions fluctuates between 8% and complete saturation, and this is where considerable expansion occurs in the wood. Since there is a substantial layer of material on the wood that also prevents evaporation, water accumulates in the wood and consequently the wood under varnished surfaces remains damp. Moisture causes wood to rot. Therefore, wood protection for wood that is directly exposed to sun and rain is impregnation + coating without varnish.

Of course, varnish itself is not problematic on surfaces that are not in direct contact with rain, but only with humidity. These are most often roof eaves. Here you can use practically all types of coatings, because in this case the moisture in the wood fluctuates somewhere between 10–18%. Varnishes can withstand these expansions even in the long term.

Impregnation is the most optimal protection for spruce products, and it can only be applied to wood that has not previously been protected. It is also recommended for Siberian larch, although there it is not strictly necessary for the durability of the material. We would highlight the manufacturer Belinka. Impregnation is especially important for eaves, canopies, fences, garden sheds, wooden planters, etc. These products are much more exposed to weather conditions, as they are often placed directly in the rain.

The same also applies to all products where there is a possibility of high air humidity. In particular, various cellars or other damp spaces are at the forefront here. Impregnation is also necessary where there is a potential possibility of accidents (errors in the construction of a wooden structure, water installation leakage, etc.).

However, if the wood is exposed to running water, soil, or even seawater, thenvacuum-pressure impregnation is required. This requires special equipment and a trained expert who will correctly carry out the entire process. We must emphasize, however, that wood that is vacuum impregnated deforms (cracking and warping of the wood) significantly faster than wood that is immersed in impregnation. Therefore, in our company, we do not use such a procedure for products where the final appearance is also important.

As a warning, it is worth mentioning that the impregnation agent can only be combined with stains from the same manufacturer. Therefore, on Belinka manufacturer's impregnation, we can only apply Belinka manufacturer's stains. Combining different manufacturers can even harm the wood, as the chemical composition of one manufacturer's protection is not necessarily compatible with another.

Does impregnated wood also turn gray? YES. For most manufacturers, impregnation agents do not have water-repellent properties or UV protection.

Even a home handyman can do a lot to protect their wooden products. They can use various paints and oils that will extend the lifespan of the products and properly protect them from weather conditions. However, we recommend that PAINTING not be used on products made of Siberian larch. Namely, larch products do not need painting.Larch is in itself an oily wood and the paint therefore does not have a good, adherent base. In addition, its natural properties provide sufficiently good protection and durability.

It is recommended to paint wooden products every 3-5 years. The first sign that a new coat of paint is needed is fading or peeling of the previous coat. This usually appears on the lower half of the products. There the wood is closer to the ground, or the eaves no longer cover the wood and rain regularly wets it. The paint washes off and then the entire product needs to be repainted. This will help you maintain the same shade of color across the entire product. However, you should know that with each new painting it becomes darker. Therefore, when purchasing, we advise choosing lighter shades of wood. Darkening the surface later is not a problem, but we can no longer lighten it.

Similar rules apply to oiling. The only difference is that oil is generally less resistant to larger amounts of precipitation. Products that are regularly exposed to rain will need to be oiled every year. If they are protected or under a roof, they can likewise be oiled every 3-5 years.

You can find good oils and paints in any specialized store. However, we recommend using the manufacturer BELINKA, as they have quality paints adapted to the Slovenian climate and have also been extensively tested. Choose a sunny day with a temperature above 0 degrees so that the paint or oil can dry. It is also important that no precipitation is forecast for the next day.

Regular cleaning. Despite the protection, it is not recommended for the wood to be in contact with water for a long time, as this can reduce the protection and durability of the wood. With regular cleaning, you will avoid this and simply enjoy the view of your wooden products.