Timber furniture is making a comeback and we are not sad about it. Not only is it among the most durable outdoor furniture there is, it is a more sustainable choice then other alternatives on the market, being a natural and renewable material. Being a natural material means it does have certain characteristics, including surface cracks and weathering, that need to be understood prior to investing.
Special characteristics - surface cracks or 'wrinkles'
Small hairline cracks can occur on the surface of the timber as it acclimatises, which is completely normal and and is part of the maturing process. As the temperature and humidity levels go up and down, the timber expands and contracts. The cracks will come and go and will eventually settle.
The Acacia timber used for the Blewbury range has been kiln dried which will significantly limit these cracks though they will still occur. These small cracks that appear are purely superficial and will not affect the strength or durability of your furniture - think of them as the furniture's wrinkles that develop as it ages.
Special characteristics - Weathering or 'silvering'
Whilst your timber furniture will look pristine and new for the first few months, if untreated it will start to silver. This discolouring of the timber, often called “natural weathering,” occurs primarily due to exposure to sunlight and rain. Ultraviolet rays from the sun break down lignin, a component of wood that gives it its natural colour. As the lignin degrades, the wood gradually loses its original hue, taking on a silver-grey patina. The patina you see is caused by layers of dead wood fibres, but that is all it is - the skin or very outer layer of the timber. This means that underneath that skin is fresh timber that will be beautifully coloured. As the silvering only occurs at the very surface it does not affect the structural integrity of the furniture and can be left, without maintenance for those who like the rustic look of silver timber.
The image below shows untreated Blewbury furniture that has been exposed to the elements for 9 months. The chair on the right is new, highlighting the difference in colour between the new timber and the weathered timber.
Can silver grey wood be avoided?
The short answer is no. But you can delay the silvering process by using UV-resistant wood finishing products and keeping the finish of your exterior wood in good condition. It is important to note here that even sealed wood will go silver grey over time so will require yearly maintenance to maintain the colour for longer.
The chair below has been outside exposed to the elements for 2 months. The right side was left untreated and the left had a colour protector and sealer applied prior to going outside.
What treatment should I use on new, untreated timber furniture?
We always recommend water based treatments rather than oil based as they are solvent free and biodegradable, create a longer lasting protective layer and unlike oil treatments don't encourage mould or mildew growth in the timber. They also provide better protection against UV rays which is what causes the timber to go silver grey.
Once a timber protector has been applied, we recommend also applying a sealer to seal in the treatment and add a layer of extra protection against water ingress and food and drink stains.
How do I treat new timber furniture?
Prior to exposing the furniture to the elements, apply a thin layer of a water based timber protector (we use the Golden Care Colour Protector https://www.golden-care.com/our-products/teak-other-hardwoods/teak-protector.html). Allow to dry fully before applying a thin layer of a water based sealer (we use the Golden Care Shield https://www.golden-care.com/our-products/teak-other-hardwoods/teak-hardwood-shield.html). The sealer will lock the treatment into the timber, whilst also providing a protective layer against water and food stains.
It is important to note here that whilst this treatment will maintain the original colour of your timber furniture for longer, treated furniture will still weather over time, it just delays the process. If you do want to maintain the colour of the original timber each year this will require annual maintenance.
What regular maintenance is required for my timber furniture?
Timber furniture, especially in busy pubs and restaurants can show up food and drink stains. Whilst the timber Shield mentioned above will prevent this to a point, we recommend cleaning table tops with warm soapy water and a soft brush, once a month, allowing to dry and reapplying a new layer of timber shield.
How do I restore silver timber?
If your furniture is silver grey and you would like to restore it to its original colour, firstly you will need to sand the surface of the timber, in the direction of the grain. This will remove the dead skin to reveal a fresh layer of coloured timber underneath, and give the furniture a nice smooth finish, ready to apply your treatment. After sanding, your furniture will look as good as new! You can also use a specially formulated product such as Ronseal Hardwood Furniture Restorer which will similarly remove this top layer of greying timber (but will not give such a smooth finish).
Once sanded, clean the furniture with warm soapy water and allow to dry fully. Once dry, your furniture will now be ready to follow the treatment steps laid out above.
Is Showpiece Design able to treat my timber furniture?
We offer a treatment service (charges apply) prior to delivery for our Blewbury & Roble ranges. We can also supply the bottles of treatment so you can upkeep the maintenance of the furniture on site, if you decide to.
Need our help?
Contact our team of experts who are always on hand to help with project advice and product recommendations, including maintenance and care.
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