Basic question - What are my options for finishing a laminated pine beam?

Hi folks. Bit of a wood-working newbie here.

I've just made a laminated beam with the help of a friend which is going to be visibly exposed hanging from the ceiling in the family home we're building. It is made from a bunch of 2x4" pine lumber. Some people have recommended coating it with polyurethane. What other options do I have? Can I leave it raw given that it will be indoors out of the weather - or does it really need SOME sort of finish? Can I oil it with say tung oil? ...if I did, would this require me to climb up and re-oil it periodically?

Any other possibilities?

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Originally Posted by grapeseed

Hi folks. Bit of a wood-working newbie here.

I've just made a laminated beam with the help of a friend which is going to be visibly exposed hanging from the ceiling in the family home we're building. It is made from a bunch of 2x4" pine lumber. Some people have recommended coating it with polyurethane. What other options do I have? Can I leave it raw given that it will be indoors out of the weather - or does it really need SOME sort of finish? Can I oil it with say tung oil? ...if I did, would this require me to climb up and re-oil it periodically?

Any other possibilities?

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The strength of the beam will not require it to be finished. Finishing is mostly for appearance so it is your call. The only caveat I have is whether the kind of pine that you used is susceptible to pinhole borers or termites etc. If it is then some saturating oil finishes (e.g Deks Olje, a marine oil) reduce the risk of insect attack. if you do oil or other finish it you only need to re-coat if appearance requires it.

I did two coats of danish oil and followed up with two coats of varnish. Came up nice

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

Thanks chaps. No need to treat the pine as it is already pressure treated. So, just so I'm clear, is it possible to oil it with, say, tung oil, and possibly not need re-oiling rarely if ever?

Also, is it possible to stain the timber first, then apply tung oil? Will the oil adhere if it has been stained?

Normally pure Tung oil take a long time to dry but after it is dry it should hold up pretty well. Tung oil used to be used in China for the hulls of ships.

I used it on one bowl but never applied any other coats since I made it. I cannot even find the item to take a look I think one of the friends loved the bowl and gone to their house. :unsure: It was with me for about over a year before it changed houses, but I kept it in storage.

I am guessing that this could also be the case with the beam on your ceiling. But I don't think you will never have to coat again maybe longer time frame between coats.