To care for your outdoor furniture, you need to look for the best sealer for outdoor wooden furniture.
Outdoor wood furniture is exposed to the elements, which means it should be protected.
When components are covered in water, they are likely to warp, crack or even collapse.
The fix for this is usually sanding and some varnish or stain will help to keep it looking good for longer.
Sealing your wood helps maintain its appearance longer while protecting it from fading and other damage caused by soil, rain, and sun exposure.
There are different sealers for outdoor wood furniture.
But which one is best?
The best sealer for outdoor wooden furniture can make all the difference in how your wood looks.
Most home improvement stores carry various sealers that you can use for different purposes.
In this guide, we will answer all your questions.
We will take you through the importance of sealing outdoor wooden furniture, the best sealers for outdoor wooden furniture, and how to seal outdoor wooden furniture.
Why should you seal outdoor wooden furniture?
There are many reasons why you should seal your outdoor wooden furniture.
The first reason is that it’s important to protect your wooden furniture from moisture damage.
Wooden furniture will naturally absorb water over time and it will start to rot if left unprotected.
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This could lead to mold growth on the wood which can be very dangerous for your family and pets if they come in contact with it.
Another reason why finding the best sealer for outdoor wooden furniture is important is because it helps protect against insects and other pests that may damage your wooden furniture over time.
The sun’s UV rays can damage your furniture over time, causing it to crack, fade and warp. Sealers protect against this damage by blocking out harmful UV rays.
What is the best sealer for outdoor wooden furniture?
The best sealer for outdoor wooden furniture is the one that will not discolor the wood.
They should also be able to add a protective layer of paint, which will help to prevent weathering and mold growth on your wood furniture.
Before we look at the best outdoor wooden furniture sealers available in the market, let’s go through the types of wood sealers.
Types of Sealers for Outdoor Wooden Furniture
There are many different types of sealers that you can use on your outdoor wooden furniture:
These sealers can be used in different situations.
The following are some of the most common types of sealers:
Water-based sealers
Water-based sealers are better for teak and other types of wood that have a low absorption rate because they tend to be more compatible with the wood grain.
They have less of an impact on the environment than oil-based products, and they dry quickly, so they can be used on wet surfaces.
These products can be applied with simple brushes or sprayers.
One of the disadvantages of water-based sealers is they tend to raise the wood or grain.
This can make it harder to sand the finish smooth once it has dried.
The grain may also shrink after drying, which can make it difficult to apply the sealer evenly.
Oil-based sealers
These coatings bond well with the surface of the wood and provide excellent protection against waterlogging, weathering, insect damage, and more.
They also have better UV resistance.
Oil-based sealers are best for woods that have a high absorption rate, like pine, teak, walnut, cedar, oak, and chestnut.
The main disadvantage of oil-based sealers is they are more environmentally toxic compared to water-based sealers.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Sealer for Outdoor Furniture
There are several different types of sealers on the market today, each with its own unique benefits and drawbacks.
Here are some things to consider when choosing the best sealer for outdoor furniture:
UV Protection
UV rays are one of the biggest threats to outdoor wooden furniture and fabric, so it’s important to have a product that can protect them from damage.
If you live in an area where the sun is harsh, then you’ll want to make sure that your sealer offers adequate protection from the sun’s rays.
This can be done by selecting a sealer with a high SPF (sun protection factor), or by selecting a higher-end polyurethane that also offers more resistance to UV rays.
The best sealers will have an SPF rating of at least 50.
Application
The application of a sealer is important to consider when purchasing a sealer for outdoor furniture.
Sealers come in many different forms and types, including spray-on, liquid, and powder. Spray-on sealers can be applied by hand or with spray guns.
The most popular forms of spray-on sealers are those that apply a coat directly onto the surface of an outdoor furniture product and then dry within minutes.
Liquid sealers are also available and work by soaking into the material.
This process can take several hours, depending on the amount of time required for it to fully dry before use.
Environmental Impact
When choosing a sealer for your outdoor furniture you should consider its environmental impact.
Sealers are usually made from solvents and chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.
For example, many sealers contain petroleum-based products.
These products are not biodegradable and may build up in the soil over time.
If you are concerned about the potential effects of these chemicals on the environment, you may want to consider using an environmentally friendly sealer.
Water and Mildew Resistance
If you want to make sure that your outdoor wooden furniture lasts as long as possible, you should consider getting a sealer that is water and mildew resistant.
This is because the materials used to make outdoor furniture are often susceptible to damage from moisture, especially if they are made of wood.
If the sealer is not water resistant, it will eventually wear off over time and allow moisture to get inside the wood.
How to Seal Outdoor Wood Furniture
Sealing outdoor wooden furniture isn’t difficult, and it can provide years of protection from the elements.
Follow these steps to get the most out of your outdoor sealing job:
Sand the surface
Sand the surface completely smooth with fine sandpaper such as 600 grit.
This will remove any small nicks or imperfections in the surface of the wood that could permit moisture absorption.
Take care not to over sand the wood, as this can cause the stain to appear uneven and the wood to be susceptible to scratches.
Clean the surface
Once you’ve removed any loose dirt, wipe the surface with a hose or sponge to remove any remaining dust.
If the wood is dirty, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe it clean.
You can use a soft cloth or a mild detergent and water to remove any dust or dirt.
You can also use an old toothbrush if you’d like to clean under the edges of the wood.
Apply the Sealer
Once the surface is clean and dry, apply the sealer to the wooden furniture.
It should be applied in thin layers so that it can dry properly and not leave any smudges or blotches on your wood.
Different sealers come with different application rules depending on the manufacturer.
It is important to read the manufacturer’s instructions so you can know how many layers of the sealer to apply.
Leave it to dry
Once you have applied the sealer, leave your outdoor wooden furniture to dry.
This should take up to 24 hours, depending on the temperature and humidity of your location.
Once it’s dry you can start enjoying your outdoor wooden furniture!
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best sealer for outdoor wooden furniture will be the one that you are most comfortable using.
If you don’t like the smell of a certain sealant or find one too difficult to apply, then it probably isn’t for you.
Look for reviews about various sealants before you commit to anything; you may also want to consult with a professional in your area to see how they would approach things.
The best outdoor wooden furniture takes time and care and if you do your research and follow the guidelines above, you will enjoy your outdoor furniture for a long time.
