Usually instances when contemplating an oil end for a bit of wooden furnishings, you could be evaluating linseed oil to tung oil– and even danish oil. All three phrases are sometimes misunderstood and misused.
At Vermont Woods Studios, we’re obsessed with handcrafted, eco-friendly furnishings that’s constructed to final for generations. One of many key selections our craftsmen make is selecting the best wooden end—not only for aesthetics, however for cover and sustainability too.
Two of the preferred pure oil finishes you’ll hear about are linseed oil and tung oil. Each are plant-based, non-toxic, and identified for enhancing the fantastic thing about strong wooden, however they every behave a bit in another way.
On this information, we’ll stroll you thru the variations between linseed oil and tung oil that will help you select the best choice on your subsequent woodworking venture—or just to raised perceive the craftsmanship behind the furnishings you carry into your property.
What’s Linseed Oil?
Linseed oil, also called flaxseed oil, is among the hottest wooden finishes on this planet. Like different hand-rubbed oil finishes, linseed oil saturates deep into the wooden grain to guard in opposition to scratches and adjustments in humidity. It’s simple to take care of, eco-friendly, and produces a satin end that actually brings out the colour and grain of the wooden beneath.
Uncooked linseed oil is the purest kind, however is typically impractical as a furnishings end as a result of prolonged drying times- it may well take a number of weeks for every coat of uncooked linseed oil to remedy. Boiled linseed oil is frequent as a wooden end, however accommodates some doubtlessly hazardous drying compounds. Polymerized linseed oil is the most effective of each worlds: pure and non-toxic with fast drying instances.
Uncooked, polymerized, and boiled linseed oil are all derived from the flaxseed plant, however have been processed in another way and to various levels.
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What’s Tung Oil?
Tung oil is a plant-based oil used as a wooden end. It’s clear, quick-drying, and penetrates the grain to boost and defend the wooden. It is one of many oldest and hottest wooden finishes on this planet and is derived from the seeds of the tung tree in Japanese Asia. Tung oil has develop into a staple amongst advantageous furnishings craftsmen in the US and past. It’s eco-friendly, non-toxic, and food-safe.
Tung oil is derived from urgent the seeds of the tung tree, which is native to Japanese Asia. The oil has been cultivated and utilized in China as a wooden end for no less than 2,500 years.
Equally to linseed oil, it’s tough to search out furnishings that’s made with uncooked or 100% pure tung oil. Many craftsmen will use boiled or polymerized tung oil, and it is also frequent for producers to mislabel merchandise as tung oil after they’re not. For those who’re eager about a tung oil end, it is price doing a little bit of digging to know precisely what end is getting used and what it is comprised of.
There are lots of causes a craftsman would possibly think about using tung oil to complete wooden furnishings. It is all pure, non-toxic, and eco-friendly, and it does not yellow as a lot over time as frequent finishes like linseed oil, nitrocellulose lacquer, or varnishes like polyurethane. Then again, tung oil is dear and inclined to water rings, stains, and scratches.
What is the Distinction Between Linseed Oil & Tung Oil?
Each linseed oil and tung oil are pure, non-toxic finishes splendid for enhancing strong wooden furnishings. However they carry out a bit in another way:
| Function | Linseed Oil | Tung Oil |
| Coloration | Slight yellow tint | Dries clear |
| Sturdiness | Softer end |
Tougher, extra sturdy |
| Water resistance | Average |
Glorious |
| Drying time | Lengthy (particularly uncooked) |
Quicker |
What is the Distinction Between Uncooked, Boiled, & Polymerized Linseed Oil?
Uncooked linseed oil is the purest kind, however is typically impractical as a furnishings end as a result of prolonged drying times- it may well take a number of weeks for every coat of uncooked linseed oil to remedy. Boiled linseed oil is frequent as a wooden end, however accommodates some doubtlessly hazardous drying compounds. Polymerized linseed oil is the most effective of each worlds: pure and non-toxic with fast drying instances.
Selecting the Finest Oil End for Your Furnishings
When deciding on an oil end, contemplate your priorities:
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For a transparent, sturdy, and water resistant end, go together with tung oil.
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eco-friendly and cost-effective end that brings out heat wooden tones, linseed oil is a superb selection.
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Need a quick-drying, easy-to-apply end? Strive polymerized variations of both oil.
Oil finishes are a timeless, sustainable method to defend and beautify strong wooden furnishings. Whether or not you are a woodworker, a DIYer, or purchasing for heirloom-quality items, understanding these finishes will assist you make an knowledgeable resolution.
