Cedar Oil as a Wood Treatment: Natural and Effective

With such an abundance of wood treatment products to choose from, it can be tough to decide which will offer the most protection and value for money for your unique wood surfaces. However, within this wide selection, there is one solution that is increasingly capturing the attention of homeowners, carpenters and sustainability enthusiasts alike: cedar oil. This timber protector offers a number of benefits for wood preservation, making it a popular choice for those seeking both effective results and an eco-friendly product.

If you’re wondering whether cedar oil is the right choice of timber protector for you, in this blog we’ll take you through everything you need to know about Treatex Cedar Oil, along with our extensive range of Treatex exterior oils.

What is Cedar Oil for Wood?

Derived from the cedar tree, cedar oil has historically been utilised for its aromatic properties: it was first applied by the Egyptians as part of the embalming process, and was even used as incense and in haircare and skincare products. Nowadays, however, it’s being recognised for its efficacy as a wood treatment. This is predominantly down to the fact that this essential oil contains natural compounds which act as powerful preservatives, helping to protect wood from decay, pests, weathering and fungal growth. Plus, its distinct aroma not only adds a pleasant scent, but also serves as a deterrent to insects,  making it a fantastic choice for outdoor wooden surfaces.

The Benefits of Cedar Oil for Wood

Here are just a few of the ways that you can expect to benefit from using cedar oil on your wooden surfaces.

Wood Preservation

One of the biggest benefits of cedar oil is how effective it is for preserving wood. When applied to timber, cedar oil penetrates deep into the wood fibres, forming a protective barrier against moisture and environmental factors. This barrier helps prevent rot, mould  and mildew, prolonging the lifespan of the wood and negating the need for frequent maintenance.

Weather Protection

Outdoor wood surfaces are constantly exposed to harsh environmental conditions, including sunlight, rain and temperature changes. Without proper protection, these elements can wreak havoc on wood, causing it to warp, crack and deteriorate over time.

Treatex Cedar Oil acts as a robust timber protector, forming a weather-resistant barrier that shields wood from moisture, UV radiation and extreme temperatures. By maintaining optimal moisture levels and minimising the risk of sun damage, these oils help prevent your wood from ageing prematurely and ensure that it retains its strength and natural beauty for years to come.

UV Protective Finish

Because UV rays pose such a threat to your outdoor wooden surfaces, prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause wood to fade, discolour and lose its natural beauty. Fortunately, Treatex Cedar Oil is formulated with UV protective additives that help preserve the wood's natural colour and prevent it from turning grey or silver over time. This will help to keep your beautiful wood grain looking beautiful all year around.

The Best Uses for Cedar Oil

As mentioned above, having outdoor wooden surfaces means that it’s all the more essential to treat them with quality exterior oils to ward against the harsh weather conditions they are exposed to all year round. In doing so, you’ll effectively protect it from rot and deterioration, allowing it to last much longer. Here are just some of the best applications for cedar oil:

Wooden Fencing

Regardless of whether you choose to paint your garden fence a certain colour or not, you’ll still need to treat it with an exterior oil first, and cedar oil is a great choice.

Decking

Not only do deckings face the very best and worst of the UK weather, they also experience a lot of footfall that can wear down the wood over time. Cedar oil can help to protect it against this wear and tear, and also provides a UV protective finish - ideal for surfaces like decking which get so much direct sunlight.

Garden Furniture

Whether you leave your garden furniture out all year long or just for the summer months, your items will need a quality exterior oil like cedar to ensure they stay sturdy and durable for longer. After all, the last thing you want to do is sit down for your first barbecue of the year to find that your table set is unusable!

Sheds

Because sheds and other outbuildings are designed to live outdoors for their entire lifespan, you would like to believe that they are built to last. However, even the most robust of sheds will eventually feel the effects of the elements, and any external deterioration can unfortunately also have a negative impact on what’s stored inside. Fortunately, you can stave off weather damage with cedar oil, which will prolong the life of your shed, helping it to deal with age more gracefully.

Treatex Cedar Oil: What to Know

Treatex Cedar Oil is just one of the many premium-quality wood treatments that Treatex has on offer. For exposed structures such as outbuildings, clubhouses, sheds and studios, cedar oil is the ideal choice. Intended for use on external timber surfaces such as cedar and larch, this product provides long lasting protection against the elements, preventing water damage, weathering and degradation.

Made from natural and sustainable raw materials, including sunflower, safflower and soybean extract, cedar wood treatment will keep your timber in great condition. With UV and water protection, easy application and no flaking or peeling, Treatex Cedar Oil really is ready for anything, come wind, rain, snow or sun.

How to Apply

For best results, here is the recommended application process for Treatex Cedar Oil.

Preparation

Treatex Cedar Oil works best on unfinished timber. If there are previous finishes, make sure they are fully removed before applying the cedar wood finish. Also ensure surfaces are lightly sanded and free from any contaminants such as dirt, decay, mould, dust, etc. Ensure you have enough cedar wood treatment for the whole task, and if using more than one tin it is advisable to mix them together before use.

The temperature must be between 8-25 degrees celsius during application and drying while ensuring the timber has a moisture content below 18%. We also advise a trial application before starting the project.

Application

●      Ensure Treatex Cedar Oil is stirred thoroughly both before and during use.

●      Use a roller or brush to evenly apply the cedar wood finish, ensuring it is applied in the same direction as the wood grain. Apply liberally on the end grain.

●      Leave for 12 hours before applying a second coat, then leave another 12 hours to dry.

Quality Cedar Oil for Wood and Other Timber Protectors For Sale

Whether you're looking to treat a deck, fence, or garden furniture, consider reaping the benefits of Treatex Cedar Oil and other Treatex exterior oils. With their UV protective finish and superior weather resistance, Treatex timber protector products provide long-lasting protection and beauty for your outdoor wooden surfaces.

All Treatex finishes are easy to apply, attractive and highly durable. With over 40 years of experience in the timber and wood finishing industries, we have established ourselves as one of the top suppliers of wood finishes, wood paints and timber cleaners across the globe.

Browse our full product range online today, or for more information about our selection, please get in touch with us.