Let’s face it, life in the great outdoors comes with its fair share of risks. From heat and humidity to rain and snow, outdoor furniture is always at risk of some kind of damage. While most people can probably recall an instance where their outdoor furniture has been soaked by rain or left out in the snow for too long, many do not realize how much risk this poses to the longevity of their furniture. With that said, we want to help you keep your outdoor furniture looking beautiful for as long as possible by providing you with these helpful tips on how to waterproof a wood table.
How To Waterproof A Wood Table?
1. Sand the Surface
If you are trying to waterproof a wood table, the first step is to sand the surface of it. This will remove any dirt or grime that may be on the surface, which will allow you to treat it with a sealer. The best way to do this is by using fine grit sandpaper and lightly sanding over the entire surface of the wood table. You should always use caution when doing this because you could end up scratching the wood if you are not careful.
2. Apply a Sealer
After sanding your wood table, it is time to apply a sealer. This will serve as the main barrier to moisture and help prevent water from soaking into your wooden furniture. There are several different types of sealers available for sale, with some being better than others for outdoor conditions. While most people use polyurethane as their sealer of choice, we recommend something like Rust-Oleum NeverWet instead because it is specifically designed for outdoor conditions and lasts much longer than traditional polyurethane sealers do!
3. Cover Your Furniture Properly
Once your furniture has been treated with its sealer, it is important that you cover it properly in order to preserve its condition for as long as possible. This means keeping your furniture covered whenever possible and storing it indoors when not in use during inclement weather conditions (such as rain or snow). You might also want to consider buying covers that are specifically designed for your furniture, although most people do not use them.
4. Clean Regularly
Once you have finished treating your outdoor furniture with a sealer, it is important that you clean it regularly in order to preserve its condition as much as possible. This means wiping off any dirt or grime that may be on the surface of the furniture and then using a damp cloth to wipe away any excess moisture. You should also make sure to avoid water from sitting on your wood table for long periods of time, which can cause the wood to warp or crack over time.
5. Use a Wood Oil
In addition to using a sealer, you can also use oil to help protect your wood table from the elements. This helps to provide an extra layer of protection against moisture and will help prevent your furniture from warping or cracking as a result of water damage. It is important that you use an oil that is specifically designed for outdoor use because most indoor oils will not protect your furniture as well as they should. We recommend using something like Howard Feed-N-Wax, which is very easy to apply and helps preserve the natural color of your wood table!
6. Consider Adding a Topcoat
If you are looking for an even more effective way to preserve your outdoor furniture, you may want to consider adding a topcoat to it. While this is not necessary, it can help improve the quality of your furniture and will provide an extra layer of protection against the elements. There are several different types of topcoats that you can use, with each type having its own benefits and drawbacks. For example, some people prefer using a shellac topcoat because it provides a hard finish while others prefer using polyurethane because it provides a more durable finish.
7. Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure
While most people are aware that direct sunlight can cause their wood furniture to crack or warp over time, many people do not realize that sunlight can also cause their furniture to fade as well! This means that you should always try to avoid placing your outdoor table in direct sunlight for extended periods of time (i.e., more than several hours at a time) unless absolutely necessary. One exception is if your table has been treated with something like NeverWet, which helps prevent fading from occurring in the first place!
8. Use Bricks or Rocks Instead of Wood Blocks as Leg Supports
Even though wood blocks may look nice on your table and help give it additional support, they are actually bad for your furniture in the long run! This is because wood blocks absorb moisture from the ground and then eventually rot over time as a result of this. This will cause the wood blocks to warp and crack, which will in turn cause your table to become wobbly and unstable. Instead, we recommend using bricks or rocks as leg supports for your furniture instead.
What Type Of Wood Is Used In Outdoor Furniture?
1. Teak Wood
Teak wood is one of the most popular types of wood used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture. This is because teak is extremely durable, weather resistant, and easy to work with. Teak wood has been used for thousands of years to build things like boats and houses, which shows how tough it really is!
2. Redwood Wood
Redwood wood is another very popular type of wood for constructing outdoor furniture. This type of wood comes from redwood trees, which are native to the Northern California area. Redwood trees are known for their durability, strength, and natural resistance to rot and pests. Because of this, redwood is often considered a premium choice for building things like decks, fences, sheds, and more! It’s also a great choice for making outdoor furniture because it requires little maintenance and can last a lifetime if properly taken care of!
3. Cedar Wood
Cedarwood has been used by humans as early as 10 000 years ago in ancient Egypt! Because cedar has been around so long (and because it comes from a slow-growing tree), it’s one of the most expensive types of wood on the market today. However, cedar remains one of the most popular choices when it comes to building outdoor furniture because it provides an excellent combination of durability and appearance that you just can’t find with any other type of wood! For example, if you ever visit Disneyland or Disney World you’ll notice that they use a lot of cedar wood to build their structures and rides. This is because cedar wood is extremely resistant to insects and rot, and it requires very little maintenance once it’s installed. It also happens to be extremely attractive, which is why cedar wood is used to construct furniture for some of the most expensive homes in the world!
4. Oak Wood
Oak wood has been a favorite choice for furniture construction since ancient times, so you can rest assured that it’s going to be around for a while! The reason oak wood has been popular for so long is that it’s extremely durable, attractive, and resistant to water damage and rot. There are several different types of oaks that are used as lumber in modern furniture construction; red oak, white oak, black oak, etc. Red oak is one of the most popular choices when it comes to constructing outdoor furniture because it’s one of the stronger varieties. This means that red oak won’t crack or warp as easily as other types of oak when exposed to weather elements like rain and sun!
5. Teak Wood
Teak wood has been used for thousands of years thanks to its ability to resist pests and water damage better than any other type of lumber on the market today! Teak comes from tropical trees located throughout Asia and Africa (including South America). Each tree takes 50-100 years before they are ready for use in construction projects, which means this type of lumber isn’t always easy or cheap to come by. However, if you’re looking to build furniture that will last for decades, then teak wood is definitely the best choice! Teak wood is also very attractive and easy to work with, which is why it’s been used to construct some of the most beautiful outdoor furniture in the world!
Conclusion
When left outside, wooden furniture can become warped, stained, and ruined. To ensure that your outdoor furniture lasts for as long as possible, it is important to regularly waterproof it. There are a number of ways to do this, including applying a sealant or coating, using weatherproof fabrics, or placing furniture in a covered area.
