To preserve wood’s beauty in residential applications, finishing is often used to protect the surface from decay and weather exposure. A surface coat is often recommended to extend the life of the wood.

Due to wood’s unique properties, though, there are specific finishes, stains and coatings for each species of softwood lumber. Similarly, there are specific requirements depending on your project. For example, outdoor decks may require finishes that are formulated to withstand foot traffic.

Find out how to finish your next residential project here.

California Redwood Association:

Redwood Exterior Finishes

Redwood Interior Finishes

Color Restoration of Redwood Siding and Decks

Painting Redwood Siding: Guidelines to Extending Maintenance Cycles

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association: Northeastern Lumber Exterior Wood Finishes

Southern Forest Products Association:

Southern Pine Decks and Porches

Southern Pine Patterns

Facts About Blued Pine

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association:

How to Finish Western Red Cedar

Finishing Cedar Decking Techniques

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