How to Protect Your Wood

How to Protect Your Wood

During the Summer we get full use of our decks and patio furniture, but as the weather gets colder and damper, your unused outdoor pieces can turn for the worse.

To keep your outdoor wood looking it’s best you should protect it. Taking certain precautions between hurricane season and Winter is ideal to ensure longevity and durability. Let’s take a look at the best options for keeping your beloved pieces around for as long as possible.

Clean:
The first step to maintenance is to keep your outdoor wood clean and free of debris. Moisture and dirt left on outdoor items can cause mold or mildew to grow in the winter months, a common occurrence in Bermuda. Pieces made from wicker, wrought iron, mesh or plastic can be cleaned with a simple dish soap and water solution.

Try to bring any cushions, fabric or canvas indoors to keep them clean and dry, or purchase weather resistant fabrics and keep them clean.

Repair:
Next step is to keep your outdoor wood in top shape. Wood lasts longer when maintained, so inspect every part of your deck and furniture noting any rotting pieces, loose pieces or warping. If it seems that re-hammering the nails or tightening screws causes the nails or screws to sink into soft wood or splits the wood then the piece should be replaced.

If repairs are simple as flaking paint or rust then consider getting your piece stripped and finished.

Coat:
If you have outdoor furniture you should also ensure it’s been sealed or coated to protect it from the elements. A protective water-repellent coating will help prolong a good aesthetic and limit water infiltration, which can make the wood shrink, expand, or warp.

Inspect metal furniture for any signs of rust and remove with a wire brush, then spray metal furniture with a silicone sealant.

Teak is one of the most durable woods used to make patio furniture, aging gray after exposure to the elements. If you want teak to maintain its original color, apply specialty oil at least once a year. Other painted woods will lose their color in the sun; replenish a faded coat with an acrylic paint recommended by a local paint supplier. Synthetic wicker can stay outdoors year-round, but natural rattan needs to be kept in a dry, dark space.

Between keeping your outdoor wood clean and in top shape your can’t go wrong protecting it over the winter’s temperamental weather. You can have your outdoor pieces lasting for years to come and enjoy them year round.