Wood varnish: 12 main tips on how to choose varnish for interior or exterior use. Types, characteristics, application technique

The best manufacturers produce wood varnishes for interior and exterior use, which are designed to protect wood from negative factors. When applied, a thin transparent protective film is formed. You can apply one layer or several. At the same time, the aesthetic appearance and decorativeness of the tree increases. When choosing a substance, it is necessary to analyze the conditions under which the wood will be used. An incorrectly selected composition can lead to negative consequences.

What is the difference between wood varnish

Varnish is a viscous substance, almost transparent in color, with only a slight tint of the wood itself.

Depending on the color of the natural wood surface, the following tones are distinguished:

  1. Beige.
  2. Brown.
  3. Black.
  4. From the spectrum of burgundy reds.

Any of the above shades of varnish should be used to cover wood with a natural walnut shade. Transparent tones of varnishes are often held in high esteem. They only emphasize the naturalness of the natural material.

You can also pay attention to tinting substances. These darken the surface, giving it a more noble appearance and beauty. Similar results can be achieved if you use a matte wood varnish.

Color range of paints and varnishes

The range of varnish colors is varied; using the tint effect, you can preserve the pattern, but change the tone to suit the interior. The palette starts from white, gray tones to black.

The coatings also vary in gloss level; there are matte and semi-matte options. The choice is made according to the preference of the master.


The range of varnish colors is varied; using the tint effect, you can preserve the pattern, but change the tone to suit the interior.

Features of applying tinted varnish

Tints are routinely used on inexpensive wood to make the appearance more presentable. Varnishing is not much different from using transparent compounds, but there are some features:

  • Even a glossy varnish after a single layer application will be matte, the reason is the impregnation of the wood with the product;
  • It is recommended to sand the base to highlight the pattern;
  • It is advisable to carry out priming with a colorless varnish;
  • The shade on the packaging may differ slightly after drying on wood;
  • You can make the layer lighter by adding thinner to the varnish; a darker coating is obtained if you apply at least three layers.


Tints are routinely used on inexpensive wood to make the appearance more presentable.

Composition of wood varnish

The structure of materials that are intended for application to natural wood coatings includes resins, complex polymers, and solvents.

Once the substance is applied to furniture or other wood surfaces, a thick film remains as the solvent dries and evaporates. It protects the surface from the effects of environmental factors.

Rules for applying to the surface

It is not difficult to coat products with varnish. The work can be done independently, without the involvement of specialists. The process requires several steps:

  • removing the old layer of paint or varnish (sandpaper will help in this matter);
  • wood sanding;
  • cleaning the surface from dust and dirt (using a sponge);
  • when working with tinting varnish, it is worth pre-coating the surface with stain;
  • pre-treatment (applying a layer of primer varnish);
  • the last step is to apply a protective layer using a brush, applicator, or sprayer.

It is best to work with a roller. This tool helps to cover a large amount of surface in a short time. In this case, the maximum consumption of products will be insignificant. The brush is used both separately and in addition to the applicator. It helps to reach hard-to-reach areas. To avoid leaving marks, it is advisable to use a brush with a little fluff at the tip. The sprayer is a device for professional craftsmen. Thanks to this tool, you can cover huge areas with varnish in a matter of hours.

Furniture is covered with two protective layers, flooring with three. Each subsequent layer is applied after the previous one has completely dried. Sometimes a little sanding is required. If the varnish is chosen correctly and applied with high quality, it will help maintain the unique appearance of wooden products for many years.

Types of varnishes for wood

The types depend on the characteristics of the components in the varnishes. Moreover, modern manufacturers offer a fairly wide range of types of wood resins. These include one, multi-component, matte, glossy structures. They also differ in drying speed.

The main types of wood varnishes include:

  1. Water-based acrylic varnish for wood. It is based on water and acrylic components. Experts classify these substances as safe for health and the environment. Moreover, these coatings are easily applied, elastic, not very thick and with relatively little consumption.
  2. Alkyd. Contains only synthetic components. They give the varnish the properties of strength, durability, and fire resistance. All this also makes it possible to significantly reduce the rate of aging of wood.
  3. Oil based. Contains natural essential components and organic resins. Oil-based varnishes are quite thick and difficult to apply with a regular brush. Moreover, the surface requires especially careful preparation.
  4. Based on ethyl alcohol. Dries quickly and is very durable. However, they do not protect wood from moisture as well as other compounds.
  5. Resin. The properties are similar to oil ones, but with different types of resins, including synthetic components.
  6. Nitro based. Designed for interior use, as they quickly deteriorate when exposed to sunlight. The composition is similar to alkyd varnishes.
  7. Epoxy. A universal variety of varnishes. They are used for both external and internal work. They have a high degree of hardness after drying. Epoxy is waterproof and resists damage very well.
  8. Polyester. It contains a large number of components that make the varnish waterproof and airtight. After drying, a durable film is formed on the surface of the wood, which can protect against damage and adverse factors.

Special types of varnishes are divided into varieties depending on their purpose. Thus, manufacturers produce yacht varnish for wood; in addition, there are coatings for furniture and decorative elements.


Quick-drying wood varnishes are another type of such materials. Such compositions are used for painting objects located indoors or for interior decoration. These varnishes emit virtually no odors, are non-toxic, and safe.

In addition to the above, manufacturers make acrylic-urethane, alkyd-urethane, alkyd-urea, and polyurethane varnishes for wood. All of them contain synthetic components and are designed to protect surfaces from the effects of destructive environmental factors.

Classification by place of application

Based on the place of application, two categories can be distinguished:

  • External;
  • Internal.

But it can also be divided according to a narrower purpose:

  1. Parquet.
  2. Furniture.
  3. For street work.

What is the average varnish consumption?

Most manufacturers guarantee to use a liter of material for every 10 square meters. The denser the varnish, the less its consumption. It is recommended to apply liquid substances in a couple of layers. Based on this, the consumption of such types of varnish is higher.

Consumption also depends on the type and tone of the wood, the presence of wide pores, cracks or chips on the surface. The method of application also plays an important role in this. Less substance is wasted if it is sprayed from a spray bottle. Painting with a brush increases the consumption of varnish.

The better the surface is processed and polished, the less varnish will be used to refine it. Moreover, when choosing such a material, you should pay attention to tikkuril wood varnish.

The Finnish manufacturer has been specializing in the production of these products for many years. There are rulers designed for parquet. Other wood varnishes from this company are reliable, wear-resistant, and of high quality.

How to choose varnishes for wood

In this case, the main attention should be paid to the characteristics of the product.

Among them:

  1. Wear resistance parameters. The most durable varnishes are those intended for flooring and made from polyurethane or other synthetic components.
  2. The degree of matte or gloss. Sometimes it is not necessary to cover furniture or decorative elements made of wood with matte varnish. It is often important to choose a glossy option with a low degree of shine if the rest of the interior items also do not have matte properties.
  3. Be sure to read the information on the packaging about what types of wooden surfaces a particular varnish is intended for.
  4. Speed ​​of absorption and drying. Polyurethane varnishes take the longest to dry. This period can be up to several weeks. But water-based coatings can harden literally within half an hour.
  5. Fire resistance. It’s good when the packaging says that this varnish will protect the wood from fire and high temperatures. Such compositions are more expensive, but perfectly protect surfaces from the effects of fire.

General information

Such a protective coating can be called a moisture-resistant, wear-resistant floor varnish, which, due to its chemical composition and qualities, can be applied to both concrete and wooden floors. There is a wide variety of building materials and paint coatings on the modern market, which is why buyers cannot make a choice for a long time.

How to choose a varnish

When choosing a product (varnish) to cover a floor, the buyer usually tries to catch three birds with one stone:

  1. Give the flooring a noble color.
  2. Create a protective layer that will prevent damage to the wood.
  3. Choose a varnish that will match the interior.

Moisture resistance and wear resistance of varnish for a wooden floor are of great importance, and when choosing it for protection, consider the following points:

  • Possibility of post-processing.
  • Has the wood been pre-prepared and treated?
  • Tree species.
  • Compatible with old paintwork.
  • Terms of Use.

Regarding operating conditions, you should pay attention to how much traffic there will be in the room and what level of humidity. For heavy loads, you should choose a floor varnish that is moisture-resistant and wear-resistant.

When reading the composition, you can determine the protective properties of the varnish, for example, alkyd floor varnish is a kind of protector against high levels of humidity, alkyne-urea varnish makes the coating durable and reliable, petroleum-polymer or oil-based is excellent for places with heavy loads and traffic.

Parquet varnish, which is used to cover wooden floors, is extremely popular among buyers - it can be acrylic, alkyd and water-based.

When choosing a floor varnish, you should decide which one will be best for you based on the three criteria described above, as well as on gloss and shade.

An equally important role is played by the lighting of the room, architectural features, color of the ceiling and walls, since it is precisely for these data that you can choose a varnish of a certain color, as well as choose a matte or glossy sheen according to your preference.

For a light floor, matte floor varnish is perfect, where there is good lighting and the room is spacious - a wonderful shade and shine will highlight the beauty of the wood. It is better to choose a glossy floor in rooms with poor lighting and small size, since gloss can visually add volume and reflect light.

Due to the development of modern technologies, there are also floor varnishes that also have a certain shade. Yes, these are colored floor varnishes that appeared relatively recently, but the designers immediately liked the interesting solution of the manufacturers and was appreciated, giving them the opportunity to realize the best and newfangled ideas.

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