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[Wricardos]

I have an oak kitchen table that is exposed to the sun each day and I would like to protect it from fading and being scratched.. I have been using table clothes etc. but I really like the looks of the wood. I thought I would put a tinted glass on the top but that would be so heavy. the table is a 70 in. round with a leaf.

I need some ideas to consider to protect the wood.

Thanks Tucker

[Desertdi]

oak is a hardwood, and pretty durable

[Sooner]

I don't think glass would keep it from fading.

[Snowpuppy]

I'm not sure what you mean by bare wood? Is it already stained? If it's already stained and clean/fairly new I'd consider adding a coat of polyurethane to the top.

If it's an older table I'd strip and refinish the top.

Not a difficult job but time consuming. Poly will make it stand up to minor scratches and will bead water. You can get poly in a flat to a high gloss finish.

Nothing will protect it from sun damage for a long period of time.

[151949]

My DR table is oak and I did get a glass table top to protect it. i had them make it in 2 pieces so each half is not as heavy as one whole piece would be. Mine is 48"" across and is octogon shaped. They used the table pads for a template.

[violann]

We're going to research glass for our new kitchen table too.

[Wricardos]

Thank you, the table is stained and finished. We bought it in England when we were stationed there with the USAF, seems like a life time ago. It's a beautiful table and I have been putting table cloths on this one to protect it. Now I would like to see the beauty of it for a change.

[Lorik62]

I have some oak furniture that is exposed to the sun and I have had good luck with Liquid Gold.

[ennui1]

On 1/14/2014 Snowpuppy said:

Nothing will protect it from sun damage for a long period of time.

And I don't think glass will do anything ... found this:

<h3>Wood – Indoors</h3>

Did you know that your dining room table can get a ‘suntan’, just like your skin? Ever notice how when you wear a watch on your left arm while driving, you get that ‘watch strap’ mark without even realizing the change? This can happen to your wood furniture too. Ultraviolet rays cause some wood species to darken (some more rapidly than others, like cherry & maple) or bleach out (American walnut). Be especially careful with natural cherry when first used.

If your wood furniture is located in the sun’s path, we recommend keeping the top free & clear of ANY accessories for the first few months. Or, if you must ‘dress’ your table (such as a nightstand), be sure to move the items around frequently. If your bedside lamp or grandma’s vase stays in the same place for 3-6 months, you will notice a ‘sun ring’. If your wood furniture is in a sunny room, move any top objects around regularly (lamps, photos etc). This will prevent a visible difference in coloration from developing. Depending on the intensity of sunlight most woods find their natural patina within a few months.

If you purchase items for a ‘set’ over time, such as dining room chairs or bedroom dressers, your new pieces may also be remarkably be different in color from your original items, which have had time to adjust in your living space. This is completely normal, and over time the new pieces will catch up to the originals.

Just like with leather, wood furniture can dry out and be affected by the ‘elements’. The sun’s heat, your air conditioning system, a humid environment can all affect the function and look of wood furniture. Try to keep your furniture in a stable, dry-but-not-too-dry environment. Solid wood can shrink & swell with changes in temperature (i.e. a beach house that you leave unoccupied for weeks or months at a time). Remember as a kid trying to open Grandpa’s desk drawer and it seemed stuck? It was probably just the heat and moisture in the air causing a natural expansion. Once winter and/or dryer weather rolled around, Grandpa had no trouble opening & closing that drawer.

[GypsyKarma]

When my son bought his oak set the manufacturer stated firmly NOT to put a glass top or plastic table cloths on it. Stated that would void the warranty. Was told to use lemon oil to care for it.

He had the the piece of granite that was cut from the granite counter for the hole for the sink and had the edges polished and put 'feet' on it. He used this in the center of the table and it protects alot of the table and the 'feet' let it breathe underneath. Also found some cork placemats that also protect the table.

Just thought I would share these ideas.