Wooden flights of stairs durable and unique stylistically. The wood texture decorates the interior, makes it more natural, and adds tranquility. To emphasize it, varnish coatings are used. There are many of them - with different properties, characteristics and prices. We invite you to find out which varnish to coat your oak staircase with.
You need to choose compounds that highlight the texture of the wood. They must be transparent. Options with oils in the composition look good. With their help, you can darken the material, making it more aristocratic. They are suitable for oak and other hardwoods.
Types of coatings for oak structures in home
All varnishes form a dense film on wood. Its characteristics may vary. It can be shiny, matte or glossy. Main question here – what you like best and fits the overall interior.
When choosing what varnish to coat an oak staircase, many focus on price. In fact, in approximately the same price range you can buy absolutely different coatings. Here are the main ones:
- Alcohol. They dry very quickly - up to a couple of hours. Plus they are easy to polish. But they are very sensitive to moisture and cold. It is necessary to ensure stable temperature and humidity conditions in the room. Alcohol varnishes are used for flights and flights of stairs.
- Nitrocellulose. They contain plasticizers, resins and solvents of different levels of volatility. More resistant to various kinds influences, but are not used so often indoors. Suitable for outdoor use.
- Formaldehyde. Rightfully one of the most popular. They are often used in homes and are durable and long lasting. Formaldehyde resins in the composition provide excellent adhesion to a wooden surface. The only drawback is strong smell. Over time, it disappears, but at first it is better not to inhale it, but to live outside the room with stairs.
- Alkyd. They cover steps where the stairs are not used very actively. For example, at the dacha. Such varnishes tolerate mechanical loads well, but are not durable enough on their own. Can be used as a temporary solution.
Whether there is a general advice What is the best varnish to coat an oak staircase? Only one. Many craftsmen say that for steps you need to choose formaldehyde varnish or an analogue water based. It is better to avoid other types.
The above alkyd compositions can also be questioned. They penetrate deeply into the wood, but the top ball is very thin. As a result, with active use, after a few months it is partially erased. This option is suitable for oak furniture. But for stairs, it's better to consider an alternative.
Transparent and Opaque Finishes: what varnish is best to coat a wooden oak staircase
Oak has a beautiful natural texture. Hiding it behind a layer of paint is often wrong. Therefore, it is wiser to use a transparent coating. The composition completely covers the entire area of the wood, but does not hide the structure. On the contrary, it emphasizes it, makes it more contrasting and expressive. If there are minor defects on the surface, preliminary putty may be required. But such a need arises quite rarely.
The varnish application process is simple. The main thing is that the surface is dry and clean. The layer is applied evenly, you need to ensure that there are no drips. After drying, the design will become even more contrasting and will blend better with the interior.
Please note that oak darkens over time. This is not due to paint coatings, this breed just has such a property.
In what cases are opaque coatings used? Mainly if you need to hide obvious wood defects and imperfections in wood texture. In this case, such varnish is usually applied in several layers. Otherwise the structure will be visible. The old coating must first be completely cleaned, primer and putty must be applied. And only after that – varnishing.
If you do the varnishing yourself
Any varnishes are toxic. Some are more, others are less. But if you are varnishing a staircase in a residential building, make sure that no one is inside during the work. All work must be done in a special protective mask to avoid poisoning. If work is carried out in permanent place residence, choose the fastest drying compounds. Otherwise, you will have to temporarily move to a hotel or with relatives.
It is still better to entrust the work to the masters. This is how you get excellent result, the coating will be uniform, without streaks and untreated areas of wood. This is the only way to guarantee many years of service life of the entire structure.
Let's consider which paint material choose for painting oak boards. Today there are Various types LMB. The first category is opaque paints and varnishes, that is, enamels and paints. They are distinguished into polyurethane, alkyd and acrylic. They are practically non-toxic and dry out in a short period of time. In addition, compared with oil paints, which will begin to crack after a couple of minutes, they are durable.
Alkyd types of paints are mainly used for processing wood, which will later be used for processing interior design. But acrylic paints are used for wood, which will later be used to decorate the outside of the house. Another variety acrylic paint- it is water-dispersed. It is often used for both interior and exterior work. It is durable.
Another category is transparent paints and varnishes, which contain a component that protects against UV rays. These are all kinds of impregnations, varnishes and stains. It all depends on the area of application of the boards. If the boards will be used to make a fence at the dacha, then varnish will do. There are clear and tinted varnishes. But craftsmen recommend applying a stain after a colorless layer of varnish, which gives the wood the required shade.
Before processing, oak boards need to be prepared. If the boards have been previously painted, then the previous layer of paint must be removed with special removers or the surface must be sanded. Smooth the sharp edges of the boards with abrasive paper. Areas where wood adjoins painted and unpainted surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and sanded.
We apply a new layer of coating when it adheres well and does not begin to peel off. In addition, it is imperative to find out exactly what product the wood was treated with before, since there are compounds that are incompatible. That is, when working, the new paint may apply unevenly, and bubbles may appear.
After it was deleted old paint We clean the boards from accumulated dust and dirt. Then a primer is applied and the surface is allowed to dry at the end.
Stages of painting oak boards
Let's look at several ways to paint oak boards, depending on the material chosen.
If you want to apply to oak boards oil paints or varnishes, then for painting we use a brush with soft bristles. Apply the mixture with smooth movements. Apply this material in a couple of layers, and wait until any of the applied layers dries. Varnishes containing alcohol base, do not need to be used for outdoor work.
Now let's look at how to work with impregnations. You can use any tools to apply such mixtures. For example, brushes with rollers. After painting wooden surfaces, we protect them from external influences.
When choosing a finish, the vast majority of craftsmen give preference to compositions made from natural ingredients, primarily oils. There are many options for what to soak new board, but practice shows that the most effective solution in this matter is the use of petroleum jelly, which is not difficult to find in a pharmacy.
An alternative to petroleum jelly can be vegetable analogues, in particular nut or linseed oil. But, despite the environmental friendliness and simplicity of such finishing, over time it can transmit to food that comes into contact with wooden board, unpleasant rancid odor. When covering the product with linseed, Vaseline or any other oil, you will have to periodically renew the impregnation, which will wear out as the board is used.
How to oil a cutting board?
Oil for impregnation is applied to a well-polished and dried surface. Having evenly distributed a generous amount of finishing composition using a brush or swab, it is allowed to absorb into the wood structure (15-20 minutes), after which the excess is wiped off by running the swab along the fibers.
New wooden cutting board process in at least two or three layers. Each fresh layer of oil is applied after the previous one has completely dried. This is not very convenient because vegetable oils quite low. Drying the boards must be done in a well-ventilated area.
Are other finishing compounds hazardous to health?
This question still causes heated debate, despite the fact that clear and authoritative answers have long been given to it. For finishing wooden products in contact with food, you can use any finishing compounds, including oil-based, polyurethane and nitrocellulose varnishes, shellac coatings and linseed oil. These materials are completely harmless to health, but only after complete drying. This is a very important point!
Before you start using kitchen board, which you decide to paint with one of these compounds, you need to make sure that the coating has completely hardened. Remember that the presence of a surface film does not mean that the composition has completely dried inside the wood.
How to maintain the attractiveness of the finish?
By following these simple instructions, your cutting board will retain its visual appeal for many years.
- Wash the product well after use warm water, if possible with minimal use detergents. Wipe off excess moisture without special zeal and do not allow the board to remain in water for a long time.
- The finishing of the kitchen board needs periodic updating. The outer layer is “refreshed” as it wears out, usually once every 4-5 months, depending on the intensity of use of the product. By controlling the condition of the protective layer, you will protect the board from cracking, swelling, and mold formation, while maintaining its visual appeal.
- When the working side of the board is severely damaged by knives, it is sanded and the finish is reapplied.
Turning a cutting board into an eye-catching decor
Inspired by the ideas in our gallery, you can create a product that is made from ordinary household utensils turn into original decor for your kitchen. Such an expressive and functional piece of furniture will be a spectacular gift that no housewife will remain indifferent to.
Impregnation of wood is a necessary operation that extends their service life. It should be carried out even if oak and other species are processed appropriately for sale (for example, according to the indicator relative humidity). Reason – unfavourable conditions operation of the floorboard: high operating loads, and frequently changing surface moisture of the wood.
Possible methods of surface impregnation of wood
Impregnation at home oak boards can be done:
- special parquet varnishes;
- compositions based on oil-wax mixtures;
- refreshing blends that restore shine wooden covering.
The latter option relates more to maintaining the appearance of an already treated oak board, so such impregnation is not of a deep nature. Rather, this technology is reminiscent of cleaning a wooden floor, and therefore can be done once a week, or even more often.
Surface wood fresheners - polishes - also have a similar effect. High-quality polishes can temporarily restore the original color of wood and emphasize its texture.
Such technologies are used a month or two after the final installation of the parquet board.
Unlike the above methods, impregnation is carried out at the stage of laying the coating or immediately after that. It assumes:
Impregnation using parquet varnishes
All compounds in this group, without exception, are extremely toxic, which must be taken into account when choosing this method of impregnating wood. Treatment should be carried out in well-ventilated areas, at air temperatures up to 25°C (at more high temperatures varnishes begin to evaporate even more intensely), as well as using personal protective equipment: safety glasses and a gauze bandage (or a respirator).
The toxicity of board impregnation varnishes depends on the type of solvent. Varnishes are made on a water basis and on the basis of synthetic solvents. Water-based varnishes much less toxic, although they dry somewhat slower. However, in in this case- this is not a disadvantage, but rather an advantage of the composition: quick-drying impregnating varnishes are very demanding on the quality of their application, and with insufficient experience of the performer, they leave behind clearly defined streaks. They can only be eliminated by re-varnishing the wood, and this leads to increased consumption of varnish and prolongation of work.
A clear advantage of parquet varnishes is their durability. Oak treated with such compounds will subsequently require only cosmetic maintenance of cleanliness and texture, which can be achieved by applying polish of the required color to the surface of the floorboard. Sometimes stains are successfully used to maintain the external texture of oak coverings.
Impregnation using oil-wax compounds
This impregnation technology is much “cleaner” from an environmental point of view, since it uses non-toxic components of natural origin.
Oil-wax mixtures are used not only for impregnation, but also for restoration of damaged areas of the board. Advantages of this impregnation method:
- Giving the coating antistatic characteristics. Due to processing oil compositions the risk of static electricity accumulation on the surface of oak parquet boards is reduced. When treated with varnishes, the antistatic effect does not occur, which is explained by polarization organic solvent during the process of applying it to the surface of the wood.
- The oil-wax surface is warmer to the touch, which is explained by the increased heat capacity of the impregnation components. Therefore, the treated rooms will be warmer in winter.
- The relatively low volatility of the oil allows it to penetrate into the internal structure of the oak board to a considerable depth. As a result, wood porosity decreases and density increases.
- The presence of wax gives the impregnating composition the ability to cover minor surface defects in wood that can arise, for example, from the claws of pets.
- Wax itself is a water-repellent composition, so the board will not suffer from excess moisture, for example, when washing floors.
- Wax-oil impregnations can be used to treat any room in the house. Most often they process boards made of oak, ash, and larch.
Technology of work execution
Wood impregnation parquet varnish carried out in two layers. The subsequent one is superimposed in a direction perpendicular to the previous one. Due to the rapid setting of the composition, it is recommended to carry out the treatment with a hard, wide brush.
There are much more subtleties in applying an impregnating composition based on oil-wax components. The difficulty stems from the fact that the working mixture for impregnation contains several dissimilar components.
This includes the oil itself, wax, resinous substances that give finished surface shine and reduce its porosity, as well as a very small amount of chemical stabilizers, providing impregnation with resistance to changing conditions of temperature and relative humidity.
The quality of processing is determined by the characteristics of the oil. It is divided into three types:
- High density, with a high percentage of resins. Impregnation of boards using this oil is considered the most durable.
- Regular density, to which various dyes are often added - from light brown to lemon yellow. This makes it easier to select an impregnating composition to match the texture and color of the board (for oak, dark-colored compositions are used).
- Whitening oils, with the help of which the color of the finishing surface becomes lighter. More often they are used to process light wood species (linden, pine, maple), but sometimes bleaching oak increases the expressiveness of the floorboard.
Before impregnation, the necessary preparatory work: The oak board is sanded and surface putty is applied to repair minor defects. Then the impregnation itself is carried out in several layers with a break for drying. It can be produced cold or hot.
Impregnation with oil-wax mixtures also has a number of limitations:
- As a result of the treatment, the coefficient of friction between the surfaces of shoes and the floor is reduced, so it is easier to slip on such a board.
- If subsequent impregnation with varnish is desired, the entire coating will have to be removed.
- The method is not suitable if the premises are equipped with a “warm floor” system.
The choice of the optimal method for processing boards, including those made from oak, depends on the conditions of its use and the desired visual effect from the finished coating.
Solid oak board is a floor covering High Quality, which can only be made from solid natural wood with a tongue-and-groove joint around the perimeter. Classic dimensions solid board range from 90-100 mm in width and 900 mm in length. This is the main difference between this board and parquet. A ready-to-use board is sold only with the factory finishing coat(it can be varnished, made with oil or oil-wax).
Oak batten in the interior
Taking into account the fact that the cost of material for the manufacture of this coating is characterized by a high cost, solid boards are considered a premium product.
Varnished board
Transparent varnish perfectly conveys the texture of wood
Externally, this material is a homogeneous rectangular structural unit made of solid wood established sizes. The ends of the solid board are milled connecting profile tongue and groove In order to eliminate internal stresses on back side solid boards are provided with special longitudinal cuts - holes.
The picture in front of you shows a floor covered with natural solid oak boards. Agree, it looks very good even without any decorative processing
Regarding the length, there are two types of boards based on this parameter - fixed and combined. In a package of fixed-length boards, all structural elements are the same size (the most common standard is 900 mm). In another way, this type of material is called single-length. This option (in principle, it can be called budget) is considered the simplest in terms of design, but in terms of quality it is in no way inferior.
But in order to create a more interesting pattern on the floor, a massive board of combined length is used. The packaging of multi-length boards necessarily includes structural elements of the following dimensions:
- At least one full length floorboard (e.g. 1600 mm) and a number
- Shortened floorboards (dimensions 300-400 mm)
- Medium-sized floorboards (600, 800 mm).
Wood patterns
The standard thickness of solid oak is 18-22 mm, however Lately Domestic factories began to produce 16 and even 15 mm boards. By the way, these products began to be in very high demand. Exactly the same as unedged oak boards.
Measures to improve the mechanical properties and appearance of solid oak boards
Oak floor
As already mentioned above, during manufacturing a solid board is necessarily covered with a special protective layer oil, varnish or oil-wax at the factory. Each type of coating has its own advantages and disadvantages, each of which will be described below:
Oak flooring with dark varnish
Varnish coating – it just so happened that in the vast majority of cases, the parquet was opened with varnish, oil or wax after installation had been completed. However, today solid oak boards are delivered to points of sale with a protective layer already applied. It becomes possible to improve the quality of a varnish coating by using special compounds with ultraviolet curing (UV varnishes). The varnish coating is considered one of the most durable and durable, but it does not provide for the possibility of local repairs. If the coating is damaged on any part of the floor, you will have to sand and re-varnish the entire surface.
Double layer of dark varnish
Coating with special oils . Main property natural oil, used to cover solid oak boards, is that thanks to the use of this product, the top layer of wood is impregnated, but a separate protective film is not created on the surface of the floorboard. This leads to the fact that to the touch a solid oak board impregnated with oil is no different from an uncoated board. One of the main advantages of a board coated with natural oil rather than varnish is the ability to carry out local repairs (that is, processing exactly the element whose surface has been damaged). The damaged area will need to be cleaned and re-oiled. That's it - the board can be reused. The disadvantage of this coating material is its fragility. In order for the wood to retain its properties, the oil coating procedure will need to be carried out at least once a year (or better yet, once a quarter). Another disadvantage is that any liquid that spills on the floor and is absorbed into the board will only be removed after effort has been made to remove it.
Special oil coating
Use of oil-wax composition for coating . In this case, we mean a specially selected mixture of natural oils and paraffins. This material is the most reliable to date - worthy replacement wax mastics of the past. This coating has the positive properties of both compounds mentioned above - thus creating a durable protective film, which, if necessary, can be easily resumed.
What technologies allow you to modernize appearance boards - types of decorative processing
Often, solid oak boards are sold without any decorative treatments - the board itself, sanded and coated with a protective layer, is an excellent covering material that is not only durable, but also pleasing to the eye.
Stained oak floor
But modern manufacturers are trying to make their product more in demand on the market through the use of one or another decorative treatment or a combination of them. One of the most fashionable today are techniques aimed at creating a wear effect ( artificial aging). The most common types of processing will be mentioned below:
A tinted oak board gives this material an even more natural pattern, visually making it a seemingly logical continuation of the walls. Very original design, for which the tinting technique is simply ideally selected
Toning . Board covering in progress decorative paint(one or more layers). The point of this technique is to give the board a different color, and when combined with other processing methods, to emphasize the natural grain of the wood. By the way, in order to preserve the natural grain of the wood, very thin layers of paint are applied. Or another option - coating is combined with brushing. This technique involves tinting the recesses of the board with one color, and the elevations with another. Or - the same color, but a less intense shade. Although, you don’t have to tint them at all.
In this case (the image in the picture) it is shown what kind of look can be given to a dry board made of natural oak using the brushing technique. Agree, it turned out very well. Especially in combination with carved furniture from natural wood it looks very harmonious.
Brushing is also used as an independent technique, without tinting. . By the way, it is this type that has become most widespread, as it allows you to create a feeling of a relief surface. flooring. Using this approach, it is possible to recreate the pattern of growth rings on wood! After using brushing, the board becomes aged, historical view; At the same time, the emphasis is placed on its naturalness and naturalness. By using your imagination you can create many intricate decors.
In the picture you see a Russian bathhouse, made in the best traditions. Just yes, it is in this case that it would be rational to use this kind of technique (meaning planing). Agree, it’s somehow not very good to add some carelessness to the manufacture of materials for finishing the floor in a living room, but in this kind of place it’s the best design solution!
Planing . This technique consists of covering the surface of the board with uneven waves, which were supposedly left due to careless work with a plane. A very unique technique, the use of which is combined only with a very limited number of soundboard styles.
In this case, the parquet is made to match the well-known English style Chipendale. A classic European painting that is gradually gaining importance in our country. However, only very wealthy people can afford such pleasure.
Sawing . The essence of this decor is to cover the elements used with shallow transverse cuts. A very rarely used treatment that has become more widespread in European countries;
Please note - dry solid wood boards have passed sandblasting. It looks very beautiful and majestic. Pay attention to the previous picture. Agree, after all, the techniques used by our craftsmen make the appearance of the flooring material more majestic and impressive, without disturbing its most natural appearance
Sandblasting . A treatment similar to brushing, which gives a less pronounced relief pattern. It is used only in those types of wood where the growth rings are very large - planed oak boards are just such.
Pay attention to the picture - it shows a solid wood board using an artificial aging technique, thanks to which the floor covering, which was only manufactured yesterday at the factory, looks like a hundred years old. Ideal material for finishing an antique store.
Aging . In this case, we mean a whole complex of different techniques aimed at giving a solid oak board an antique look. Pairs perfectly with these designer styles like Baroque and Renaissance.
This floor is great!
What are the advantages of a board made of solid natural oak?
- Maximum natural look;
- Reliability and durability. The world's leading manufacturers of solid wood boards provide a 50-year guarantee. However protective covering requires updating (lacquered less often, oil more often).
- Environmental friendliness. For the reason that this material The finishing material is natural and no toxic substances are used in its production; solid wood tiles are an absolutely safe material for human health.
Oak bathhouse design
Difficulties that you will encounter when working with solid natural boards
- It is very difficult to install using this material. A massive board requires a master of the highest qualifications. Particularly expensive and complex professional styling using glue, plywood and screws.
- Moodiness. Taking into account the fact that wood remains sensitive to conditions environment, temperature and humidity levels outside certain ranges can cause cracking and deformation, as well as detachment of the floor covering from the base. It should be taken into account that the larger the size of the solid oak board (especially the width of the structural elements), the more force the internal stress acts on it.
Oak interior design
conclusions
Oak boards are an excellent material for finishing both floors and walls, as well as other surfaces that avoid constant contact with moisture. However, oak boards (especially its laying) require certain qualifications of the craftsman. In addition, unedged oak boards are quite expensive building materials.
Solid board ( bleached oak) processed in a certain way, using various decorative techniques, is magnificent design solution V different cases. Solid board “Oak aged” - perfect option for finishing the floor in a room designed in Baroque, Renaissance or eclectic style.