ELIGE MADERA 10 Finishes to Protect and Refurbish All Your Wood Surfaces Wood is a living and changing natural material so it’s normal that, if it absorbs too much moisture, it can be prone to cracking and swelling over time. On the other hand, if it expels moisture, it may shrink. That’s why it’s essential to use a finish that can protect the wood from external environmental conditions. Wood is a living and changing natural material so it’s normal that, if it absorbs too much moisture, it can be prone to cracking and swelling over time. On the other hand, if it expels moisture, it may shrink. That’s why it’s essential to use a finish that can protect the wood from external environmental conditions. Here we’ll show you a guide with 10 different finishes so that you’ll know which is best suited for the wood surfaces in your home. Oil Finish Wood has a natural oil that can dry out over time. A linseed, cedar or tung oil finish gives it a protective layer to help retain its natural moisture content. The oil penetrates the wood which also gives it a brighter and fresher appearance. Lacquer Recommended for interiors, lacquer finish gives a fast-drying and long-lasting matte and glossy appearance. But be careful: it’s prone to scratches, so if you have dogs or cats, this finish may not work for you. Varnish Recommended for outdoor furniture, this is one of the most popular finishes. It’s oil-based, transparent and provides good UV protection. Shellac Shellac is a good option because it’s an environmentally friendly finish derived from the resin secreted by the lac bug. Among its advantages is the wide range of colors it comes in and how it enhances the natural grain of the wood. It’s recommended for exteriors, especially for walnut, mahogany and other hardwood furniture. Water-based Finish A water-based finish gives a natural look to the surface. It also has a thin consistency and dries quickly. Polyurethane Finish Polyurethane is a high-resistance synthetic finish that forms a plastic layer on wood surfaces. It’s recommended for coastal areas because it’s so resistant to humidity. Stain Wood stain doesn’t actually offer protection, but rather it enhances the natural color and grain of the wood. It can be used for both interior and exterior use. French Polishing Requiring several thin coats of shellac, applied continuously, this technique can be time-consuming, but if you put in the work, you’ll get a shiny result that brings out the grain of the wood. Wax Available in matte and satin finish, wax is easy to apply and delivers a high gloss. The only drawback is that it usually doesn’t last long. Paint Paint is one of the thriftiest ways to make your wood furniture look better. The only disadvantage is that the natural color of the wood is lost, but it makes it easy to create unique and colorful furniture.