pine called antique pine since it was cut<\/a> down back when trees were not milled in mass numbers.<\/p>\nJust keep in mind that it can take anywhere from 200 to 500 years for a tree to contain nearly 100% heartwood. So, that means that Shakespeare could have planted the tree you want to be cut down for your floor. Okay, probably not, but he likely breathed the oxygen provided by that tree!<\/p>\n
How About Chemically Treated Pine?<\/h2>\n Chemically treated, or pressure treated, pine is very common in exterior builds. It is pretty accessible at home renovation stores and costs about the same as untreated pine. To treat the pine, the milled wood is soaked in a chemical to make it weather- and bug-resistant. It is then added to a tank that is depressurized to press the chemicals deep into the grain of the wood.<\/p>\n
Because many of these chemicals are hazardous, the process must be completed before sale. Lumber yards provide the pressure-treated boards either fresh (still wet) or dried (air- or kiln-dried wood).<\/p>\n
While it seems that this is the same as the wood hardener chemicals, it is not. The chemicals used will prevent the wood from rot, fungus growth, bug infestation, and uneven staining.<\/p>\n
However, they are not chemical hardeners, and they do not change the integrity of the boards. Do not be fooled by anyone who would tell you that the pressure-treating process actually hardens the wood. It does not.<\/p>\n
How Do I Harden Pine?<\/h2>\n While there is no way to make pine as hearty as some of the hardwoods found on the Janka scale, there are chemicals and varnishes that can be used to create a stronger piece. There are four main ways that you can harden the pieces, at least superficially: chemical hardener, epoxy, polycryl, and fire.<\/p>\n
Chemical Hardeners for Pine<\/h3>\n One of the most popular methods for hardening pine is to use one of the water-resistant chemicals available on the market. Provided that your wood has not already rotted, this technique can be done quite easily and will penetrate the grain of the wood, getting deeper than a varnish would. This usually comes in a can or bottle. You can simply brush the wood hardener onto the wood and allow it to dry. Of course, you should make sure that the wood is clean and dry before applying the wood hardener. You\u2019ll want at least two coats of the hardener, so let the wood dry for about two hours before adding the next layer.<\/p>\n
Another option is tung or linseed oil to finish the wood. These oils harden the grain and darken the wood, which prevents the need for an additional stain. Oil also is water-resistant, so it will help prevent moisture from getting into the wood and weakening it. Finally, using a polyurethane finish will complete the project (like flooring) and help to prevent any marring of the wood.<\/p>\n
Harden Pine with Epoxy<\/h3>\n Epoxy is a bit of a miracle tool to me. It typically comes separated so that it must be combined with something else to make it work. It becomes an entirely new chemical in the process. Typically, modern epoxies need to be added to only water, but there are many kinds still out there. After you\u2019ve made a beautiful honey-like texture, spread it onto the wood, keeping the film of epoxy very even all the way across the board.<\/p>\n
Allow the epoxy to dry at least three hours before adding the second coat. Three coats will make the wood strong enough for outdoor use. After you have covered the boards with the second layer of epoxy, you must allow it to cure for about three days. Remember the method of three with epoxy.<\/p>\n
Polycryl for Hardening Pine<\/h3>\n This is a bit of a cheat because this is also a chemical, similar to the hardeners you\u2019ll use. However, polycryl\u2019s only purpose is to harden wood from the surface. Also called polycrylic, this works very similar to polyurethane on your wood. You\u2019ll use it as a topcoat finish. It is available in several finishes, from matte to gloss. This is available in both spray and paint cans. Since it dries very quickly, polycrylic can be difficult to work with.<\/p>\n
Aerosol cans, along with being bad for the environment, do not always provide an even spray and cannot be easily directed. Using a roller for polycryl is more preferable for large areas. You can control the amount of polycryl that goes onto the wood, providing an even coat. This method is not ideal for small, intricate projects since the polycryl will dry too quickly for even coats.<\/p>\n
Additional benefits of using polycryl are that it is water-based so it can be easily cleaned up with some soap and water. Since it dries quickly, you do not need to wait as long as you would with epoxy or wood hardener chemicals. It should be dry to the touch in about 30 minutes – though wait at least an hour before adding another coat \u2013 and should cure in just 24 hours.<\/p>\n
Does Fire Harden Pine?<\/h3>\n Yes, as I mentioned, fire is one way to harden pine. The ancient Japanese tradition called shou sugi ban<\/em> has taken America by storm over the past decade. Many people, especially in the tiny home communities, find that it works great for the exterior of their homes because it makes the wood weather-resistant, bug-resistant, and it doesn\u2019t add weight to the finished product.<\/p>\nTo do this, wood is charred slightly. Today, this is typically done using a blow torch. By charring the wood, you shrink the cells of the wood so that moisture and other elements cannot access it as easily. The builder then uses a wire brush to remove any blistered or charred wood that may be loose. A nice wood protectant, like a wood conditioner or polyurethane, should then be added to prolong the life and prevent further chipping. The added benefit of using the shou sugi ban<\/em> method is that it makes the wood fireproof as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I think every child in the Western Hemisphere has had the opportunity to see an unused 2×4 board. It\u2019s a beautiful thing: the prospect of what it will become once a builder has gotten his hands on it. I specifically mention children, because when I was a child, I couldn\u2019t resist its allure as my […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1659,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Harden Pine Wood with These Tips - Two Make a Home<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n