I have a number of windows frames made from a tropical hardwood that looks like oak. What should they be treated with to protect them? Should I use a modern varnish or paint or are there any more natural hardwaring products available? (I would rather avoid paint and see the natural wood) I want something that will last as once the scaffolding is down we will have to abseil to access many of the windows. The property is 250 year old 5 story tower but the window frames were new about 15 years ago, all existing treatments have been removed.
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What to treat hardwood frames with.
- Thread starter jana
- Start date
Geoffrey
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- Oxfordshire
If you want to use paint advice from this site would probably be to use linseed oil paint as it lets the wood breathe. I've just used it for the first time but others here have more experience. As to leaving the wood natural Biff will know what's best to use I'm sure.
biffvernon
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"a tropical hardwood " is a bit vague so we don't know how durable the timber is. If it's a durable timber such as teak then a few coats of linseed oil should see it right for a good few years, though the colour will gradually fade to grey. If it is one of the less durable timbers then you might be better off painting it. Linseed oil paint should not need repainting for more than a decade so will save you much trouble compared with most modern paints.
Hjack alert!
I now have Iroko Sash windows (those placcy eyesores are gone!). I'd like to preserve the colour of the wood. If, as you say linseed oil will not prevent them from greying over time, do you know of a UV protector or additive for the linseed oil that would be just as good for treating the windows?
When you say apply linseed oil, do you mean the boiled stuff that's about £4 per litre?
Cheers.
I now have Iroko Sash windows (those placcy eyesores are gone!). I'd like to preserve the colour of the wood. If, as you say linseed oil will not prevent them from greying over time, do you know of a UV protector or additive for the linseed oil that would be just as good for treating the windows?
When you say apply linseed oil, do you mean the boiled stuff that's about £4 per litre?
Cheers.
biffvernon
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- Lincolnshire
Yes. Might be a little cheaper if you shop around or buy it from Holkam Paints for a little more if you like to have the best quality available.Keycare said:When you say apply linseed oil, do you mean the boiled stuff that's about £4 per litre?
Pity about the iroko and the rainforest it was (probably illegally) cut down from. My favourite things seem to be going grey with age. Dorian Gray tried a pact with the Devil but it all ended in tears.
Nemesis
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Silver, dahling, not grey.
Silver sounds so much more distinguished, grey just - well, extinguished.
Silver sounds so much more distinguished, grey just - well, extinguished.