How to Seal Old Barn Boards With Bugs in the Wood
Salvaged lumber from old wood structures such as barns and outbuildings has a beautiful patina only created in nature. This type of wood requires special preparation to ensure it will be durable and insect free.
Things You Will Need
- Kiln
- Wire brush
- Sandpaper
- Vacuum
- Borate-based insecticide
- Spray bottle
- Waterproof sealer
- Heavy duty paintbrush
Tip
Allow wood to acclimate to indoor conditions for a minimum of 48 hours prior to installation.
Warning
Old barn wood can retain the smell of a farm for decades. Place a few pieces of the salvaged wood in a plastic bag for 48 hours. Open the bag and smell the wood. If you smell the odor of animals or other offensive scents, use the wood for outside projects only.
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Heat salvaged wood to 140 degrees Fahrenheit to kill insects and their larvae. Custom lumber yards offer kiln services for all sizes and types of wood.
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Remove remnants of insects and their nests by scrubbing the wood with a wire brush.
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Sand the wood thoroughly and vacuum to remove dust and debris.
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Spray the wood with a residual borate-based insecticide. This type of insecticide is available in a liquid or powder and may be purchased at a home improvement store. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully.
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Apply a waterproof sealer and allow the wood to dry completely before use.
The Drip Cap
- Salvaged lumber from old wood structures such as barns and outbuildings has a beautiful patina only created in nature.
- This type of wood requires special preparation to ensure it will be durable and insect free.
- Remove remnants of insects and their nests by scrubbing the wood with a wire brush.
References
- “This Old House" magazine; Can I Recycle Old Wood?; Norm Abram; November 2008
- “New Old House: Designing with Reclaimed Materials”; Ed Knapp; 2005
Writer Bio
Jennifer Mackinday began writing professionally in 1996. Her work has been featured in the "Workplace Safety" magazine, "The Herald Times" and on various websites. Mackinday's first book, "Friends for Life: Strangers Brought Together by the War in Iraq," was published in May 2009 and earned honorable mention in the 2014 Eric Hoffer Book Award for Legacy Nonfiction. She holds an Associate of Arts in general studies from Indiana University and is currently a fellow with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.
Photo Credits
- old barn image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
- old barn image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
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