How to Keep Natural Oak Looking Au Naturale

We’re often asked by customers how they can keep their external natural oak (on porches, garages, verandahs, and other products) looking as good as it does when it leaves the workshop and arrives on site.

We sand and seal all our oak buildings and structures (tailored to suit each client) with oil prior to sending out. Ready then to face the weather as soon as the installation has taken place..

What Happens To The Natural Oak?

Without any finish being applied to oak, rainwater penetrates the timber, which reacts with the tannins in the wood. This causes the oak to ‘blacken’.

Again, without any finish being applied, the sun’s UV rays will react with the oak leaving it to ‘silver’ over time. Many clients like this look, especially with the porches.

All weathers – rain, sun and wind, can affect the appearance of the oak over time. The position of the oak structure (i.e. which direction it faces) can also affect this. Both these factors need bearing in mind when considering the oils and maintenance required.

Leaving the oak to take its natural process can have a ‘Marmite’ reaction!

We’ve found, talking to our clients that some people ‘love” the oak silvering off and ageing, and others absolutely ‘loathe’ it!!! This is why there are a number of options regarding the finishing of the oak. From a natural finish, a more traditional finish and a contemporary finish, all tailored to you….

How Can I Prevent The Natural Oak Changing Colour?

We offer 2 options of finishing (3 if you count not having anything applied).

1 –Osmo UV Protection Oil – 420

This protects the natural oak from the weather, leaving it looking light and more contemporary whilst preventing the oak blackening or silvering, providing there is good maintenance.

2- Osmo UV Protection Oil with Natural tint – 429

This again protects the natural oak from the weather and leaves it looking more natural. You will see this shade on most of our oak porches and external products. Again, this prevents the oak blackening or silvering, providing there is good maintenance.

They both:

Are water and dirt resistant
Reduce wood swelling and shrinkage
Contain biocides to prevent the growth of algae, mildew and fungal attack
Have a microporous, breathable finish which does not peel, flake or blister
Don’t require any sanding before future applications

If Au Naturale is your thing, we can provide your oak structure without applying any finish.

A recent client who lives in the Peak District, wanted her new oak porch to ‘settle in’ to her period property as soon as possible. She, therefore, chose to not have any finish when the porch was made, as she wanted the natural oak to silver off to look like part of the property.

A client from some years ago (see photos below) also wanted her porch to fit in with her 650-year old property. She had recently had an extension built on her pretty Cotswold house. She wanted both the stone and the natural oak to weather in as quickly as possible. By not applying any oil, the look has been created!

‘It looks lovely and as though it’s been here forever!’

Why not get in touch today for a friendly chat?