The era is one of ecological awareness and a return to raw materials. Indoors as well as outdoors, enthusiasm for healthy, environmentally friendly products continues to grow. When it comes time to protect and enhance our woodwork, the composition of finishing products becomes a key consideration.
Why choose a natural finish for wood?
Choosing a natural finish (whether interior stains or exterior saturators) is not just an aesthetic choice, it is a commitment to your health and to the environment. These products enhance the unique grain of each wood species while providing effective protection, with little or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and without the harsh chemicals often found in traditional finishes.
A natural finish is a product that penetrates the wood fibers to color and/or nourish them, formulated primarily from ingredients of natural origin. The main distinction is between:
- Decorative Stains (for interior use): they color without protecting (they must be covered with a varnish, hardwax oil, or wax).
- Saturators (for exterior use): they color, nourish, and protect in a single step.
What is a natural wood finish?
Difference between chemical and natural products
| Characteristic | Chemical Finish (Chemical stains, Wood stains) | Natural Finish (Natural stain, Saturator) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Petroleum-based solvents, synthetic resins, chemical pigments. | Vegetable oils (linseed, tung), natural waxes, natural pigments, often water- or citrus-based thinners. |
| Emissions | High levels of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). | Very low levels, or even complete absence of VOCs. |
| Appearance | May mask the wood grain depending on the formulation (film-forming). | Penetrates the wood, enhances the grain and natural texture (non-film-forming). |
| Maintenance | May peel or flake, requires full sanding for renovation. | Does not peel (saturator), easy maintenance with a new coat |
Components of a natural finish
A true natural finish derives its performance and color from nature. It mainly contains:
- Vegetable oils (Saturators, Hardwax oils): They deeply nourish the wood, protecting it from moisture and cracking.
- Natural pigments (Decorative stains, Saturators): Of mineral or plant origin, they color the wood while, in the case of exterior saturators, providing essential UV protection.
- Natural resins or waxes: They improve surface resistance (for protective products applied over interior stains).
Benefits for health and the environment
The main advantage lies in the absence of harsh solvents and controversial substances. Natural products:
- Respect indoor air quality: Stains and hardwax oils are ideal for bedrooms and living spaces (low or no VOCs).
- Are non-film-forming: (Stains and Saturators) they allow the wood to “breathe.”
- Simplify renovation: Maintenance is done by simple reapplication.
- New
- New
For which uses? Interior stain vs exterior saturator
The choice of a natural coloring product depends entirely on its intended use:
| Use | Anova Bois Product Type | Application Examples | Main Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | Stains (to be overcoated) or tinted varnishes | Furniture, floors, paneling, toys | Color, customize, before applying a protective finish. |
| Exterior | Saturators (tinted) | Decking, cladding, garden furniture | Color, nourish, and protect against UV, moisture, and greying. |
Anova Bois expert advice
For exposed outdoor wood such as decks or cladding, always choose a tinted saturator. The pigments it contains act as a natural sun filter, effectively protecting the wood from UV-induced greying. A colorless saturator only protects against moisture, not against discoloration.
How to properly apply a natural finish?
Surface preparation: the key step
- Cleaning: The wood must be clean, dry, and free from grease or dirt. For wood that has already turned grey or is stained, using a wood cleaner/brightener is essential.
- Sanding: For new wood or an old film-forming finish (varnish, stain), sanding down to bare wood is essential (grit P80 to P120) to ensure optimal penetration of the product (stain or saturator).
- Dust removal: Remove all sanding dust (using a brush or a vacuum cleaner).
Application: recommended tools, number of coats
- Tools: A wide flat brush (spalter-type) or a short-nap roller is ideal. For decks, a pad or deck brush is often the most practical option.
- Stain method (Interior): Apply the stain evenly in a thin coat; apply a second coat if a deeper color is desired. Once dry, it must be covered with a varnish or a floor finish for final protection.
- Saturator method (Exterior): Apply one thin coat following the direction of the wood grain. Allow to dry for 24 to 48 hours.
Drying time and maintenance
Drying time between coats for natural products is generally short. Maintenance is simplified: it is usually enough to clean and reapply the same product to dulled areas, without heavy sanding.
Recommended products from Anova Bois
At Anova Bois, we offer solutions tailored to each specific use:
- N100 Cleaner: Essential for wood preparation.
- For interior use – Wood Stains: These decorative stains color your furniture and floors before applying a protective product—varnish for furniture, objects, and worktops, or a floor finish for parquet and staircases.
- For exterior use – Tinted Saturators: These are the all-in-one solution. Water-based, they penetrate deeply to stain, nourish, and protect your decks, cladding, and furniture against UV rays and moisture, without peeling. Wide color range: Available in a broad palette of shades to enhance the natural beauty of your outdoor wood.
The outdoor choice: focus on tinted natural saturator
Compared to stains that form a surface film and peel, and to traditional exterior finishes, the tinted saturator stands out as the modern, eco-friendly, and durable solution for protecting exposed wood.
Why choose a tinted saturator for outdoor use?
The term “saturator” means that the product is designed to soak into the wood until the fibers are fully saturated. It is the number one choice for exterior surfaces (decks, cladding) because:
- It is non-film-forming: It penetrates without creating a surface layer, which prevents peeling and cracking.
- It colors AND protects: Thanks to pigments, it provides a dual function of coloring, evening out the shade, and maximum protection against UV rays and moisture.
- It simplifies maintenance: Maintenance is done without sanding, simply by applying a new coat locally or over the entire surface.
Quick comparison: Interior stain vs exterior saturator
| Finish | Film-forming? | Main Uses | UV / Moisture Protection | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decorative Stain (Interior) | No | Furniture, floors (before protection) | None, used only for coloring. | Matte finish, enhances the wood grain. |
| Natural Saturator (Exterior) | No | Decks, cladding, outdoor wood | Excellent, thanks to pigments and deep impregnation. | Matte, oiled appearance, deeply nourishes the wood. |
Ready to naturally stain your wood?
Discover our full range of natural products for protecting and coloring your wood:
Medium Oak Wood Stain TCM900 – Warm Natural Finish for Floors & Furniture
- New
