What to consider when Sealing Timber Finishes in your Home
By Ania • Zephyr and Stone
Raw finishes in homes have made a huge comeback in recent times, and timber is no exception. So if you’re planning to install timber features in your new build or renovation, or have some existing woodwork that desperately needs TLC, here’s the no-fuss way to ensure it looks top shelf…
Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Project featuring Timber balustrade stairs
First Things First, Do I Need To Seal it?
The answer is, absolutely! Sealing your timber creates a protective layer which reduces the chance of staining from dirt or spills, and provides a surface that is easy to wipe clean. It also increases your timber’s longevity as it helps prevent cracking and drying out. Timber treatment through regular sealing is an investment policy that ensures the longevity of your timber finishes.
• Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Project featuring Timber balustrade stairs
Prep It
As with any and all finishes in your home, preparation is key. Skipping preparation results in messy applications or having to do the job twice. So do yourself a favour and don’t skip this step. When it comes to timber, it’s actually relatively quick and easy.
If you’re working with new timber, it will generally only need a light sand and wipe down before applying your product. Existing timber features may need a bit more elbow grease. It’s vital to invest the time for prep to ensure a lasting, seamless finish.
• Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Project featuring Timber balustrade stairs
Which Product Is Right?
There’s a plethora of timber sealer and stain options on the market, and knowing which one is right for the job can almost require a degree in chemistry. So when it came to choosing a product for our latest project for the timber balustrades and handrails, we opted for one that ticked all the boxes - Johnstone’s Professional Interior/Exterior Clear.
• Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Project
Water-based
First and foremost, we needed a product that was quick and easy to apply with a seamless, smooth finish. Opting for a water-based sealer was a no-brainer as it would ensure easy touch-ups and clean up. One of the other many benefits of Johnstone’s Professional Interior/Exterior Clear is that you can generally re-coat the product in an hour. That’s a lot of ticks in the quick and easy box.
• Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Project
Mind The Drips…
The other requirement was that it was easy to apply. Many sealers and stains we’d tried in the past were prone to drips and build-up. The consistency of Johnstone’s Professional product made it very easy to apply with no product build-up, resulting in a smooth, clean finish.
Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Project
Satin, Gloss, Clear or Colour…
Here we’ve opted for a satin finish, however, Johnstone’s Professional Interior/Exterior Clear is also available in gloss and tintable in your choice of 15 colours. So there are numerous finish options available to refresh and protect a range of interior and exterior timber surfaces, including windows, doors, bi-folds, gates and pergolas.
Protection From All The Elements…
In its lifetime, your timber will no doubt contend with a wide range of everyday challenges, so a product that protects from all conceivable elements is essential. Johnstone’s Professional provides advanced fungal, dirt and mould protection, UV protection and is water repellent. So that certainly eliminates the majority of foreseeable timber pandemics…
The stand-out element of Johnstone’s Professional was how the timber felt with the product applied! The satin finish creates a smooth, seamless surface so our timber balustrade and handrails, look and feel like silk.
Z+S Tip • Natural timber isn’t cheap - so make sure you protect your investment by regularly sealing and caring for all timber surfaces, to keep them looking brand new for years to come.
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