Massive wood always has a homely, warm and prestigious feel. It can be used as a structure or as decoration of the outer wall of the house, it can be designed into a beautiful piece of furniture or used in the form of parquet or a terrace. When properly selected, processed and maintained, it can be used for decades.

It can be protected with a whole range of coatings (acrylic, polyurethane, oil-, water- or solvent-based, synthetic or natural, 1K or 2K ...). When protecting wood with natural vegetable oils, we emphasize its properties: natural colour, aesthetic appearance and warmth. The oils penetrate deep into the structure of the wood and enhance its natural appearance, while the surface is pleasantly soft to the touch.

The most commonly used products for outdoor surfaces are terrace/decking oils (e.g. Belinka Oil Decking, Helios Biohel Decking oil). Terraces are exposed to demanding weather conditions, including the stagnation of rainwater on horizontal surfaces (rain in the summer and snow in the winter) and strong sunlight (dimensional fluctuations of wood) and its harmful UV rays. They are also subject to infestation of wood pests (insects, fungi and mold), wear and tear due to walking (scratching with sand under the shoes) and salt by the sea. Wood species are therefore used for outdoor surfaces, as they are already very resistant to weather conditions and pests without protection. These include Siberian larch, chestnut, acacia, teak, ipe, merbau …

We recommend additionally protecting terraces and other oiled elements that will be exposed to shady spots and areas with higher humidity using biocidal protection (e.g. Belinka Belles, Helios BORI AQUA impregnation with biocides) which reduces the blackening of the wood due to the growth of blue stain fungi and mold. Make sure to place the terrace in a spot with good drainage (drainage of rainwater/rain), which ensures that the area under the terrace is well ventilated and without the presence of a high level of humidity.

The easiest way to apply decking oil is with a roller or a brush. Thanks to its low viscosity, the oil is well absorbed into the wood structure and its cracks. Modern coatings contain modified oils, which significantly improve the properties of decking oil (better weather resistance, low viscosity, fast drying ...). Two coats are usually sufficient to ensure protection. A surface oiled in such manner is completely saturated and resistant to abrasion, water, and other liquids, and partly also to UV rays. Dark shades offer better UV protection.

Due to the absence of a protective film, oils are not able to protect wood surfaces the same way as stains that have sufficient film thickness. However, it is precisely because of this property that there is no cracking and peeling of the film when using oils. The deterioration of the oiled surface is highly dependent on the wood's exposure to weather conditions. When wood is very exposed, the first signs of decay may appear after only a few months, especially during the warm and rainy seasons. When wood starts to appear grayish, it is time to refresh it. The oiled surface should be regularly checked and, if needed, restored with a thin layer of refreshing oil. In practice, terrace surfaces are protected at least once a year, usually in the spring, when conditions are most favorable. This is especially important in the first year after installation, when the wood adapts dimensionally to the new circumstances, and might crack in some places. When refreshed, the oil fills these cracks. This prevents water from seeping into the wood and the further degradation of the wood. Depending on the need, wood can also be refreshed only in some more worn out and exposed areas. If the surface is just worn out and has not yet started to decay, it is sufficient to thoroughly clean and dry the surface each time before refreshing it, and then cover it with a coat of oil.

Leave the oil on the surface while it is being absorbed (10 – 20 minutes), then wipe the excess liquid thoroughly with a dry absorbent cloth. Under optimal conditions (airy space, T = 23 °C, 50% relative humidity), the oil on the surface will be dry in a few hours after application, but do not walk on it for 24 hours to allow it to become fully cured. If you miss the restoration interval and the surface has already deteriorated, the surface must be thoroughly mechanically cleaned.

For cleaning, you can use the special Belinka Belfresh cleaning agent, which removes the greyness from the surface, while also mechanically removing decayed wood by rubbing and brushing with a coarse brush. Before re-applying oil, such a surface should be sanded to a sufficient level of smoothness after drying.