Since more people are now
embracing the idea of transforming their outdoor spaces into
relaxation havens, the demand for outdoor furniture has grown
significantly over the last few years. However, as building a patio
or a deck almost always eats up a large chunk into a homeowner's
budget, often, there is barely money left for quality outdoor
furniture. As such, a homeowner isn't left with any other choice but
to buy from garage sales or flea markets.
If this is your dilemma,
you don't have to settle for old outdoor furniture that is one
sitting away from completely falling apart. There are sellers of new
and unfinished furniture who can guarantee quality for their
customers. The unfinished pieces are sold at a much lesser price than
those found in outlets or malls. Consequently, they make for great
do-it-yourself staining projects, which you can manage as long as you
use the proper products.
Remember,
outdoor furniture, unlike indoor furniture, is exposed to exterior
natural elements and thus will need more powerful finishes. An
oil-based transparent stain is a great product because it retains the
wood's original color and provides sufficient water protection—just
be sure the stain soaks into the wood for at least 15 minutes before
back-brushing it. Another
good product
is a solid color stain since this works like paint to provide a
longer-lasting and more protective finish—just be sure to apply a
primer so the product bonds well with the wood.
