Wood plays plenty of roles that are necessary for an ideal home. From holding books, as in a shelf, to beautification and weight support – like decks. But owning a good piece of furniture is just the beginning of the struggle. The main struggle is ensuring its beauty does not fade. It’s amusing that even woods can suffer old age. Besides natural depreciation, wood suffers gradual damage from exposure to things like moisture and ultraviolet (UV) rays. The protection is more necessary if the wood is used outdoors mostly, as this means more exposure to the elements. This post aims to let you know about the best UV protection for wood. You love to see your wood retain its beauty, and so do we.
Product Name | Design | Compound | Scent | Form | Weight/ Volume | Applicator Method | UV Protection | Finish | Water Protection | Pros | Cons | Price |
 | Beewax, Coconut Oil, Mineral Oil | Coconut | Cream | 240 ml | Buff | No | Gloss | Yes | Organic base, high gloss | Cream based application | ||
 | Mineral oil, natural formulary | NA | Gel | 147 ml | Included Applicator | No | Gloss | Yes | In gel form easy to apply | Volume is very less | ||
 | Synthetic | NA | Cream | 5.6 L | Brush | Yes | Matt | Yes | Very abundant volume, matte finish | Expensive, cream based | ||
 | Urethane, Synthetic | NA | Gel | 500 ml | Brush | Yes | Matt | Yes | Solvent type is gel, application is easy | Odour less and no scent added | ||
 | Beeswax, Brazilian carnauba wax, mineral oil, orange oil | Orange | Gel | 470 ml | Buff | No | Gloss | Yes | Very economical, reasonable volume | Buff takes effort to apply |
If you would like to check the best UV resistant spray paint out there, I have compiled a list here just for you
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Before we go into the detail, you might be eager to know about one UV protection product that you should get. We are well aware. By our estimation and general review, we have an overall #1 rated pick. So, if you are to get any UV protection for your wood at least, it can be this one.
Our pick is the Howard Sun Shield Outside Wax. It contains most of the essential features that make up for good wood protection. Based on its formulation, it is designed not only to protect its finish from fading but to protect even the wood’s color. You would not need to worry about frequent wood retouching.
Not only does it protect your wood from UV rays, but it also does a good job against moisture. While it is entirely not waterproof, it holds back moisture well enough from causing wood decay.
Also, it does not come with a color of its own, neither does it distort the original wood color. Rather, it restores the original color of the wood, even if it has faded to some extent.
More of it will be shown later.
The Best UV Protection for Wood
Having realized the major things to take note of, here are some of the best UV protection for wood furniture and deck.
The top best product [hide]
WALRUS OIL - Wood Wax
On top of that, it enhances the color of your wood. Application of the Howard Sun Shield exposes and enhances the original wood color, regardless of whether it was fading. This makes it a good UV resistant clear coat for wood. For easy application, there are two steel balls of wool to help. It is easily one of the best UV protection for wood deck.
Bamboogle Food Grade Mineral Oil for Wood
Roxil Wood Protection Cream
Minwax (43210000) Helmsman Spar Urethane
Multipurpose Natural Wood Wax
UV Protection For Wood: Buying Guide
As has been mentioned, properly protecting your wood can be a struggle. Everyday contact with it can cause moisture to stay, or objects to scratch, on it. Also, wood staying outdoor is at the mercy of the sun. And the sun can be merciless in peak summer.
Asides these, there is also the problem of getting proper wood UV protection or wood sunscreen, as they are sometimes called. Some products provide deck sun protection and deck protection from other hostilities. However, they might not be the best for other woods like, say, your table. This points to the fact that some factors are to be considered when getting a UV wood protection. Some of them are below.
The UV Protection Range
Generally speaking, sunscreen for decks, and wood generally, offer some level of protection. Some protections are specific. For example, sunscreens that protect wood specifically from moisture is to be applied to indoor furniture or decks. There are also some wood protections that over a wide range of protections. These can be applied to either indoor and outdoor furniture or deck.
However, there is a range of periods for which protections last, and this varies. Some wood protections may last a couple of months, and even years. Some might last just weeks.
First, you should find out the range of protection that comes with a particular product. Next, you should find out the range of periods for which the protection lasts. Checking how frequent you are to use the product helps in determining its lasting period. Failure to use the product during the frequency period might cause the wood to start suffering depreciation again.
For example, a 5-year frequency period indicates lasting protection than a 12-month frequency period.
You can also check the product information for more info. But ascertaining, to a good degree, the UV protection range helps in getting a good wood protection.
Kind of Coating
The kind of coating to be used should also be factored in. There numerous coatings that can be used for the protection of your deck and other furniture. The kind of coating typically depends on its formulation and its stated advantage. For example, some coatings are clear. Clear coatings are the ones that, at most, enhance the color of your deck. They do not substantially change the color, they just make the color more profound. Clear coatings can also be specific. While there is the one that is most effective against moisture, there is also UV resistant clear coat for wood.
Some coatings also double as paintings. These alter the color of your wood to some degree. So, you have a UV protective wood finish with a slightly, or substantially, different wood color. These are not clear coatings. Unless specifically stated, coatings are not clear. This means that they can alter the color of your wood. If you are the kind that treats your wood coloring dearly, you should pay attention to this. Even better, some manufacturers make it obvious that a coating is not clear my stating its color. Such coatings are best as UV protective wood stain.
There are also clear wood sealers with UV protection. These are coatings that help cover the pores of your wood to make it fresher and smoother. It also makes the coloring to be more even and less lopsided. Generally, it makes your wood more beautiful.
The kind of coating also determines, to some extent, going about how to protect your wood deck. Some coatings require that you apply them with a gloss over. Some, like oil coatings, require that they are applied by being sprayed over the wood surface.
From these alone, it is apparent why you should factor in the kind of coating. It helps you understand better what you are getting, how to use it, and how long it might last.
Eliminate the confusion of wood finishes and choose the right product for your project watch in this video:
The Best Coatings for Each Area
So far, you would notice that the area your deck or furniture is positioned is also important. Outdoor decks have a higher chance of suffering faster depreciation that indoor decks. This is because outdoor decks are more exposed to threatening elements. Such elements include the UV rays from the sun, moisture from rain, scratches from constant contact, and whatnot. While indoor decks can also be affected by moisture and scratches, they are not as severe as that of outdoor decks. Also, indoor decks need not worry about UV rays; except maybe bulb rays, which are harmless.
It goes without saying: outdoor decks require more protection. The coatings of your outdoor decks should be water-resistant, UV resistant, and effective against scratches. There are other necessary things too, but these take the cake.
Coatings ideal for outdoor decks are quite effective for indoor decks as well. But coatings effective for indoor decks might not do the trick for outdoor decks. Except they might be cheaper.
What remains important and necessary is that you factor in the area the deck of furniture stays.
Other things can be considered apart from these three. The list is inexhaustive. Other things include price, preferences, possible allergies, and whatnot. But those do not need to be pointed out. They are generally to be factored in already.
UV Protection For Wood: FAQs
Are all wood coatings clear?
Are all wood coatings UV inhibitors?
Do I need something to apply a wood coating?
How long do wood coatings last?
Is it bad to inhale the air from wood coatings?
Conclusion
UV, moisture, and the likes are dangerous to the health and well-being of your wood. They can cause it to depreciate rather quickly and also fade. Getting a good UV protection for your wood is important and is the right thing to do.