Next week we are due to start erecting the new oak trusses in the extension. These have been built in an industrial unit over the last 2-3 weeks. They will be numbered, disassembled and then re-erected on site.
Given that we are approaching the end of October, we cannot rely on the weather. Indeed, the weather over the last couple of weeks has been very mixed. We have decided that it would be nice to proect the new timber from the elements while the roof is being erected.
A bit of investigation seems to suggest that Osmo UV protection oil is the right choice. We have used an interior version of this to coated the existing beams, but this is the exterior version. When the oak trusses were sanded and coated in this stuff, they simply looked amazing.
We have used oak in the existing cottages to replace the old floor beams and have decided to use the same stuff to protect them. As the plasterers are due to plaster some of the downstairs rooms tomorrow, we thought it might be a good idea to put something on the untreated oak. The Osmo product works a treat and the oak looks amazing. Plus if anything gets accidentally spilt on the oak, it should simply wipe off.
If you are considering doing something similar, I would suggest you paint a test patch before painting all the wood. Some woods colour very differently. We are using the “type 420” on ours. This is a clear, satin matt finish and looks very natural when dried. We will also use the same product on the custom oak windows. More information on the Osmo product here: http://www.osmouk.com/previewpage.cfm?bookid=book001&chapter=57&page=121
We have decided to paint the new green oak beams in the cottage. This should help provide some protection from the plasterers! The unpainted section is on the left, the painted section the right. It has really brought the grain out of the wood.