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We are building a new home with casement windows having solid oak frames
and oak veneer casings inside. Outsides are solid vinyl. Will stain the oak to a medium tone finish. Other wood trim in home including doors and
frames will be soft pine and will try to stain this to closely match the
oak.
Firstly, is their a way to protect these woods during construction
without completing the finish process?
Secondly, would like suggestions for a finishing process which will last
and be relatively easy to apply (water based, oil based, other). What
about gel stains?
Lastly, any suggestions for moderately priced wood trim instead of pine?
Replies
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Gene,
Do you mean you've already trimmed your windows and hung your doors, even though you're still in rough construction? Or are you just worried about the windows?
*Gene:Don't know about protecting your windows without doing something permanent, but suggest you do your darnedest to keep them closed while house is being built. If you know your stain color, you could go ahead and stain them as this will help a little. For finishing, a good oil or water-based sanding sealer followed by one or two coats of poly or varnish works for us and we do a lot of stained trim. Try some samples to see which you prefer. My painters brush on a coat of stain, let dry for 24-48 hours, depending on weather, and then spray first coat of sanding sealer. Contrary to everything I'd ever heard about wiping off stain, but works great. Sand, then follow with one or two finish coats depending on the depth you want in the finish.Personally, don't like stain at all. Haven't seen anything in a can yet that could make pine look like cherry(or oak, or mahogany, etc.). Every wood has its own distinctive character and look as it ages which no chemical can duplicate. God made all these different woods so we could have a choice. Who am I to argue? Again, this is my personal opinion and don't let it stand in the way of the old adage "The customer may not always be right, but he's always the customer". You want me to mix Cherry and Early American 50/50 and stain all these beautiful white pine beams? No problem...:)As far as alternates to pine, I understand that some of the South American woods are becoming popular in the US but don't have any specifics. My hardwood supplier also has a pretty good stock of FAS "rejects" that aren't quite good enough for cabinets or furniture but are very acceptable for architectural use at significant discounts(last time I priced could get 4/4 oak for $1.35/bft.) Check with your local dealers, especially the bigger ones.By the way, where did you get casements with oak frames?Happy homebuilding,Bill
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I'm just worried about the windows for now. We've not trimmed them or hung interior doors yet. Just "weathered in."
*Thanks for your info and opinions! We purchased "CrestWood" windows by Crestline in oak through our local Home Depot. These are also available in cherry and pine.Gene
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We are building a new home with casement windows having solid oak frames
and oak veneer casings inside. Outsides are solid vinyl. Will stain the oak to a medium tone finish. Other wood trim in home including doors and
frames will be soft pine and will try to stain this to closely match the
oak.
Firstly, is their a way to protect these woods during construction
without completing the finish process?
Secondly, would like suggestions for a finishing process which will last
and be relatively easy to apply (water based, oil based, other). What
about gel stains?
Lastly, any suggestions for moderately priced wood trim instead of pine?
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Gene, You might look at poplar for your trim, especially if you have your heart set on staining the wood. Poplar mills beautifully, is relatively inexpensive, is a common native hardwood that has nice graining and stains and finishs beautifully.
Another choice wood be alder, especially west coast availability. I prefer the alder with a clear oil finish as it ages to a soft light brown colour.
Protection of windows is fairly easy now. There are many products on the market. No brand names, but I use a plastic tape that comes up to 12" wide that protects threshholds and window jambs and yet pulls off months later with no adhesive residues. We can pick it up at the local lumber yards and paint shops. Expensive but you save in the end run with less preparation later on for staining or the possibility of damage. A cheaper alternative would be to cover your windows from jamb to jamb with plastic, 6mil, and leave the doors for ventilation.
Finishs, everyone has their favourites. I like a good danish oil or I use my own mix of spar varnish, turpentine and tung oil, equal parts. Brush on and wipe off. Three coats.
Some thoughts. walk good
david