When it comes to outdoor wooden furniture, most people focus on design, wood type, or price—but often overlook one of the most important factors: the finish. Whether your furniture is oiled or left unfinished doesn’t just affect how it looks—it impacts how well it holds up under sun, rain, and changing temperatures, and how much it will cost you in the long run. The right finish can protect your investment for years, while the wrong choice—or no finish at all—can lead to premature fading, warping, and expensive replacements or repairs.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between oiled and unfinished wood, including the science behind how each finish performs outdoors. Whether you’re a retailer sourcing or a homeowner looking to make the right choice, this guide will help you avoid costly mistakes and choose a finish that lasts.
Oiled Outdoor Furniture: A Ready-to-Use Solution
Oiled furniture has been pre-treated with natural finishes—such as teak oil, linseed oil blends, or factory-applied penetrating oils—that soak into the wood and offer a base layer of protection against weathering.
From a scientific perspective, these oils fill the wood’s cellular capillaries, reducing its hygroscopic behavior—that is, its tendency to absorb and release moisture based on the environment. This stabilization helps prevent surface cracking, swelling, and warping.
Unlike film-forming finishes (like varnish or polyurethane), oils don’t seal the wood in a rigid coating. Instead, they allow the wood to “breathe,” meaning it can expand and contract naturally without splitting the surface.
Most furniture manufacturers, including us at Dai Phuc Hung Thinh, use oiled finishes as a default for acacia and eucalyptus furniture. It gives retailers a ready-to-sell product and gives homeowners furniture that can go straight outdoors—with a little occasional maintenance.
Unfinished Wood: Flexible, but Riskier
Unfinished wood is raw timber—sanded and smooth, but untreated. It appeals to DIY buyers, custom finishers, and private label brands who want full control over stains or specialty coatings.
That said, the risks are real. Raw wood is highly sensitive to the environment. When exposed to sunlight, the lignin that binds the fibers together breaks down in a process called photodegradation, causing the surface to gray, weaken, and dry out.
Moisture, too, is a problem. Without any oil or sealant, water enters through capillary action, especially at end grains and seams. This leads to swelling, shrinkage, and internal stress fractures—especially in climates with large temperature swings.
If left untreated, even dense tropical woods like acacia and eucalyptus can deteriorate quickly—often within weeks.
Real-World Differences: Oiled vs. Unfinished
From the outside, oiled furniture typically has a richer color, more visible grain, and a slight sheen. Unfinished wood looks dry and matte—and it becomes blotchy if exposed to moisture unevenly.
But the differences go far beyond looks.
Oiled furniture is more resistant to UV rays and water intrusion, while unfinished furniture starts to degrade faster unless it’s sealed quickly. For end customers, that’s the difference between set-it-and-forget-it and urgent maintenance.
Who Should Choose Which?
If you're a retailer or wholesaler, oiled furniture is almost always the safer, more market-ready option. It offers better shelf appeal, fewer post-sale problems, and less customer education.
If you're a private label brand, unfinished furniture gives you flexibility—but you'll need to apply finishes locally and store the product carefully until it's sealed.
If you're a DIY enthusiast or custom finisher, unfinished might appeal—but be ready to treat the furniture immediately after unpacking.
What We Offer
At Dai Phuc Hung Thinh Furniture, we specialize in FSC-certified Acacia and Eucalyptus outdoor furniture, responsibly manufactured in Vietnam. Our standard collections come pre-oiled for outdoor use, giving buyers a product that looks great, performs well, and is easy to maintain.
For special orders, we can discuss unfinished options, but we always provide full guidance on post-treatment to ensure long-lasting performance.
Let's Talk
Interested in sourcing oiled outdoor furniture made in Vietnam for your store or brand?
We’ve worked with some of Europe’s most trusted retailers for over 21 years such as JYSK, Segmuller —delivering durable, sustainable, and beautifully finished furniture that performs outdoors.
Email us to request a product catalog or sourcing quote: sales@daiphuchungthinh.com.vn
Or ask your favorite retailer if they carry Dai Phuc Hung Thinh Furniture—crafted for lasting outdoor living.