Finishing Woods - Crucial Notes

Wood Stain - Enhances aesthetics by modifying its colour, however it doesn't usually protect the wood.

Oils - Maintains the wood's appearance. Some also offer protection to moisture when used outdoors.

Polyurethane Varnish - Seals and protects the surface of the wood.

Preservatives - Generally applied to timber that is going to be used outdoors. They enhance appearance and extend the useful life of timber products. Tanalised Timber is protected by straying a preservative onto it. See http://www.delston.co.uk/tanalised.htm for more info.

Paint - Used to colour and protect wood. Primers must be used on most non-manufactured boards.

Manufactured Boards


Medium Density Fibre Board (MDF) - Composed of fine wood, dust and resin which is then compressed inside a mould to form a block. - Relatively inexpensive.

Plywood - Alternating grain at 90 degrees to each other to improve strength.

Chipboard - Small chips of wood bonded together with resin and formed into sheets by compression. Not as strong as Plywood.

Hardwood - Wood fibres that've been pulped.

Blockboard - Core of softwood strips bonded together with adhesive and covered with a sheet of plywood.

Aeroply - Used for the outer skin of an aircraft. High grade plywood that's attatched to a timber frame.

Maplex - A New type of MDF that's used for the furniture industry. This composite is higher grade and easier to machine