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June 23, 2008
Bleaching expose beams ?
Have anyone bleached exposed beams? I and my husband saw it in danish magazine. He likes it so much and will do it sometime soon. However I am worried that it may weaken beams and damage structure of 3 fam townhouse. (our apt is 1st floor.) Am I worried too much? Please give me your thoughts!
Comments
Bleach won't penetrate deep enough to cause structural damage a heavy beam but it's a very messy, smelly process, especially on a ceiling. Unless you're very careful you could ruin your floor and other woodwork.
There a different bleaching techniques to address different objectives. Here's an overview:
http://www.woodzone.com/articles/wood_bleach.htm
Posted by: Steve at June 23, 2008 9:25 PM
I bleached the old parquet floors in my home using a 2 part bleach and have not noticed any damage to the wood. If you have never used this stuff make sure everything that can be possibly dripped on is protected and wear 2 layers of chemical proof gloves.
Good luck.
Posted by: cobblehillcat at June 23, 2008 10:19 PM
Indeed. And eye protection. The two-part stuff contains sodium hydroxide a/k/a lye which will burn skin.
Posted by: Steve at June 23, 2008 10:50 PM
I love the bleached wood look, especially on floors.
And I have been trying to convince my husband that we should do it in our place (old wide plank wood floors). He thinks it will look too "country" for a Park Slope residence. Cobblehillcat do you have any photos that I can show him to help prove that it won't.
Posted by: guest at June 24, 2008 10:10 AM
10:10 I'm having trouble posting photos to forum - email me @ mhmela@aol.com and I'll get them to you.
Posted by: cobblehillcat at June 27, 2008 3:11 PM
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