The Ultimate Guide to Cedar Wood Treatment
Using real wood in your home or garden for furniture, fencing or outbuildings is a great idea. Cedar wood is a popular choice for many projects, it’s a beautiful wood renowned for its strength and resistance to rot and moths. It has a long lifespan, making it a worthwhile investment and can be used for many different applications. It is ideal for many uses because of the wood’s natural oils, minerals and resins. Previously, cedar has been widely used as a main component of shingles and in various construction projects. Nowadays, modern technology has made cedar more practical and versatile. Whether you’re installing timber fencing or laying a deck, there’s a lot you should know about the treatment process.
If you want to use cedarwood in your home, here’s everything you need to know about caring for it.
Why Do You Need To Treat Cedar Wood?
Cedar wood is a practical wood that can live a long life in various forms. It’s a naturally attractive material, although uncommon, so it is fairly costly. Once you’ve got your hands on some cedar wood, you don't have to worry too much about maintenance. Cedar wood is usually treated with oils and waxes to preserve it and produce a wonderful natural patina. Treating your cedar wood is important as it prevents it from gathering moisture and deteriorating.
How To Treat Cedar Wood
Treating your cedar wood shouldn’t be too challenging and once you’ve treated it you won’t have to worry about it for a while. Here’s how to treat your cedar wood.
Use A Wood Sealer
A wood sealer will help preserve the beauty of your cedar wood and restore it to its original look. Using a wood sealer will also help maintain the fresh, clean aroma, all year long. Many uses for cedar wood include the outdoors, so it’s important to seal the wood to protect it from the elements. Furthermore, porous cedar wood collects moisture from the air, which can lead to the growth of mould and mildew. Void any weather-related damage by properly dealing with your cedar wood to create a shield against the sun and rain.
Avoid Teak And Linseed Oil
You may find finishing oils for outdoor furniture made from teak and linseed, however, you should try and avoid these. If you use these kinds of oils the cedar may accumulate dirt, leading to a dull piece of furniture that doesn’t function as it should. Furthermore, your cedar wood may deteriorate much faster, particularly if exposed to cold weather. Instead, opt for cedar oil made from natural and sustainable raw materials such as sunflower, safflower and soybean extract. This will help the cedar wood last much longer and ensure you won’t need to keep up with more maintenance.
Ensure Your Cedar Wood Is Preservative-Treated
In order to make your cedar wood last a long time, you will have to apply preservatives. These help to prevent decay and damage and ensure the cedar wood stays strong and long-lasting. Substances such as para-phenylenediamine or cresol help the wood to last long. However, another method of preservation is to combine wax and oil such as carnauba, bee and candelilla waxes along with linseed, sunflower and jojoba oils. These will help prolong the life of your cedar wood and make it more durable.
Keep Moisture Away
Moisture is the key factor in most wood rot and deterioration. It’s best to keep your cedar wood away from moisture and protect against it. Moisture leads to mould and mildew, which could be the end of your cedar wood. To avoid this, keep your cedar wood away from moist areas such as your living room, basement and outdoor patio. Sunlight can also lead to moisture build-up in wood, so make sure it is not kept in a room with a lot of direct sunlight. If your cedar wood is outside, make sure it is treated properly to avoid humidity and rain from causing damage to the wood.
Keep Termites Away
There are many different types of bugs that can cause damage to wood, termites being one of them. They are destructive bugs that can eat away at the wood in and around your home. Unless your cedar wood is treated with the right cedar oils and cedar wood finish, these bugs can cause you huge problems. Keep any bugs away from your cedar wood by sealing any openings with cedar wood putty or caulking around the edges of your home. Termites can get into the wood and eat away at the inside before you’ve even realised there’s any damage. Protect your wood properly and you won't have to worry about this issue.
Regular Cleaning
Cleaning is one of the easiest ways to maintain your cedar wood. Cedar wood can last for years if you take care of it appropriately. Without regular care and maintenance, you may notice your cedar wood becomes soiled and loses its natural scent. It is a very delicate wood and requires regular care and attention.
Best Cedar Wood Treatments To Buy
If you’re looking for the right cedar oil to use, Treatex has an excellent range of cedar wood finishes and cedar oils, perfect for many uses.
● Cedar Oil - Our Cedar Oil is the perfect treatment for outbuildings, clubhouses, sheds and studios. It is designed for outdoor surfaces such as cedar and larch and protects them from damage from the elements such as weathering, deterioration and water damage. We use only the best sustainable raw materials including sunflower, safflower and soybean extract. It is UV and water-resistant and contains no biocides or toxic ingredients. If you have any questions about this product, feel free to get in touch. We’re always happy to help.
● W216 Preservative - Treatex W216 Preservative is a water-based wood treatment for industrial, commercial and private use which protects the wood against blue stain and fungal attacks in timbers. It can be used on doors, windows, fences, cladding etc. However, It is not suitable for timbers that are in constant contact with water or the ground.
● Wood Rejuvenator - To avoid cedar timber turning grey in colour due to UV damage, sun bleaching, air pollutants and other biological actions, treat your cedar with a non-toxic, solvent-free cleaning agent such as wood rejuvenator from Treatex. This cleaner uses natural ingredients such as fatty acids from coconuts and oxalic acid. It helps to lift dirt and dead cells from the surface of the timber to restore the colour back to its original state. You can use this on decks, fences and garden furniture.
Find Cedar Oils And Other Wood Treatments At Treatex
We are a team that is passionate about wood and its upkeep which is why we have designed a range of fantastic products for you to use. Our high-quality wood finish products will help protect your wood from any damage and enhance the natural beauty of the material. If you would like to learn more about the products we offer, visit our website today and browse our selection. We can help you achieve incredible results from your wood and breathe life into otherwise dull or damaged materials. We have lots of stockists across the UK so you can find the right Treatex product for any project. Find your nearest one here.
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