Wood is the most common material used to design furniture, fences, decks, homes, and so much more. The beauty of wood is incomparable, but it can be hard to maintain wood without using a high-quality wood sealer. Especially when it comes to outdoor wooden objects, water, mildew, UV rays, and many other factors contribute to deteriorating it. Eventually, there comes a time when the wood becomes weak enough to rot. Luckily, you don't need to worry because wood sealers provide a solid protective coating to your wood and increase its durability.
How Does a Wood Sealer Work?
Penetration is the key to the success of sealer products. When you apply the sealer on your wooden surface, it is soaked up in the wood in liquid form. Once it starts to set, it becomes hard and eventually strengthens the surface of the wood. The penetration of the sealer depends on the quality of your wood sealer and the type of wood.
Please also note that stains and sealers are two separate things. Mostly, people confuse them both to be one because many sealers also have the properties of stains. Stains are for coloring the wood; on the other hand, sealers are for strengthening wood and preventing moisture.
What Types of Wood Sealers Are There?
There are two main types of wood sealers: oil-based wood sealers and water-based sealers. Water-based wood sealers are more commonly used than oil-based ones because the former has less smell and toxicity. Most of the sealer formulation that is being made these days is based on the water formula.
Water-based
The results of water-based sealers are more promising as the wood becomes hard. The best part of water-based solutions is that they don't take long to dry so that you can wrap up your work quickly. Some users complain that the color of the wood changes rapidly and results in a cloudy finish. The natural grain of the wood is lost, therefore it's a natural charm too. However, you won't have to face this issue unless you use an expired can of wood sealer.
Oil-based
If you are leaning more towards the appearance of the wood than its protection and strength, you should go for oil-based wood sealers. Unlike water-based wood sealers, oil-based sealers bring out the grace and beauty of wood by darkening its grain. Has it ever happened to you that you looked at some wood surface and saw sunlight reflecting from it? This magic usually happens for oil-based wood surfaces as oil adds some extra shine to the wood to improve its appearance.
Considerations Before Buying
If you plan to get the best results from your wood sealers, then randomly picking some products from the local store won't help. Forget about perfect results; it might not even give the slightest results. Thus, to settle for the right and ideal sealer products, you need to analyze different products and consider the following before buying ideally:
Local weather conditions
Is it usually humid in your area? Or is it sunny and dry? Weather conditions are essential to consider before buying a wood sealer as you want a product that can protect your wood from specific weather conditions. For instance, if it is sunny, primarily in your city, you will need a wood sealer to protect against UV rays. Similarly, if it is usually rainy, you will have to opt for a product to protect against water. Extreme weather conditions need extra protection and care.
Effect on the environment
What is the use of a wood sealer that protects your wood but harms the environment? Some sealers have VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that emit hazardous fumes that are toxic for the environment and your health. The safest sealer is the one that has 0% VOC in it. If you take wood from nature, you might also return the favor by protecting it from toxic materials. Furthermore, when working with the sealer, there is a high chance that you will also inhale the fumes, which can lead to headaches, nausea, and breathing problems. Not only this, but it can also result in severe issues like kidney damage or even damage to the central nervous system.
Application process
The mode of applications differs from sealer to sealer. Some wood sealers can be applied by brush, others require a paint roller, and some might even need a spraying bottle. You would want to buy a sealer that can work well with the tools you have at home. Otherwise, you might have to spend some extra bucks for accepting the meeting the application requirements.
Lifespan
Different sealers are made of various components so that they would have a different lifespan as well. The best sealer will last longer than the others. If you intend to use your project for a long time, it is best to choose a sealer with a long lifespan and excellent durability.
Some Wood Sealer Buyers Ask
Q: How long will it take a sealer to dry?
A: Different sealers have different drying times. In general, if your project is placed under direct sunlight, you can expect it to dry within 48 hours. On the other hand, if you have placed your object under shade, the drying time can exceed up to 72 hours or even longer.
Q: How often should I apply a sealer to wood?
A: Resealing your wood once a year is an excellent practice. You can also conduct a short experiment to find out if it's time to reseal your wood. Sprinkle some water on the wood and observe whether the water is absorbed or not. If it does not get absorbed, your sealing is intact and does not need resealing. On the other hand, if water manages to penetrate the wood, it's time to reseal your wood.
Q: Can a sealed wood be painted?
A: Yes, you can easily paint a sealed wood. Before you begin the process, make sure to prep the wood with an oil-based primer. An oil-based primer sticks to the surface of a sealed wood easily and adds a little shine to it as well. Then, you can apply latex paint of your choice to cover it nicely.