What’s the Difference? – Vermont Woods Studios

Often times when considering an oil finish for a piece of wood furniture, you might be comparing linseed oil to tung oil– or even danish oil. All three terms are often misunderstood and misused.

At Vermont Woods Studios, we’re passionate about handcrafted, eco-friendly furniture that’s built to last for generations. One of the key decisions our craftsmen make is choosing the right wood finish—not just for aesthetics, but for protection and sustainability too.

Two of the most popular natural oil finishes you’ll hear about are linseed oil and tung oil. Both are plant-based, non-toxic, and known for enhancing the beauty of solid wood, but they each behave a bit differently.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the differences between linseed oil and tung oil to help you choose the best option for your next woodworking project—or simply to better understand the craftsmanship behind the furniture you bring into your home.

What is Linseed Oil?

Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is one of the most popular wood finishes in the world. Like other hand-rubbed oil finishes, linseed oil saturates deep into the wood grain to protect against scratches and changes in humidity. It is easy to care for, eco-friendly, and produces a satin finish that really brings out the color and grain of the wood underneath.

Raw linseed oil is the purest form, but is sometimes impractical as a furniture finish due to the extended drying times- it can take several weeks for each coat of raw linseed oil to cure. Boiled linseed oil is common as a wood finish, but contains some potentially hazardous drying compounds. Polymerized linseed oil is the best of both worlds: pure and non-toxic with quick drying times.

Raw, polymerized, and boiled linseed oil are all derived from the flaxseed plant, but have been processed differently and to varying degrees.

What is Tung Oil?

Tung oil is a plant-based oil used as a wood finish. It is clear, quick-drying, and penetrates the grain to enhance and protect the wood. It’s one of the oldest and most popular wood finishes in the world and is derived from the seeds of the tung tree in Eastern Asia. Tung oil has become a staple among fine furniture craftsmen in the United States and beyond. It is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and food-safe.

Tung oil is derived from pressing the seeds of the tung tree, which is native to Eastern Asia. The oil has been cultivated and used in China as a wood finish for at least 2,500 years.

Similarly to linseed oil, it is difficult to find furniture that is made with raw or 100% pure tung oil. Many craftsmen will use boiled or polymerized tung oil, and it’s also common for manufacturers to mislabel products as tung oil when they’re not. If you’re interested in a tung oil finish, it’s worth doing a bit of digging to understand exactly what finish is being used and what it’s comprised of.

There are many reasons a craftsman might consider using tung oil to finish wood furniture. It’s all natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly, and it doesn’t yellow as much over time as common finishes like linseed oil, nitrocellulose lacquer, or varnishes like polyurethane. On the other hand, tung oil is expensive and susceptible to water rings, stains, and scratches.

What’s the Difference Between Linseed Oil & Tung Oil?

Both linseed oil and tung oil are natural, non-toxic finishes ideal for enhancing solid wood furniture. But they perform a bit differently:

What’s the Difference Between Raw, Boiled, & Polymerized Linseed Oil?

Raw linseed oil is the purest form, but is sometimes impractical as a furniture finish due to the extended drying times- it can take several weeks for each coat of raw linseed oil to cure. Boiled linseed oil is common as a wood finish, but contains some potentially hazardous drying compounds. Polymerized linseed oil is the best of both worlds: pure and non-toxic with quick drying times.

Choosing the Best Oil Finish for Your Furniture

When selecting an oil finish, consider your priorities:

• For a clear, durable, and water-resistant finish, go with tung oil.

• eco-friendly and cost-effective finish that brings out warm wood tones, linseed oil is a great choice.

• Want a quick-drying, easy-to-apply finish? Try polymerized versions of either oil.

Oil finishes are a timeless, sustainable way to protect and beautify solid wood furniture. Whether you’re a woodworker, a DIYer, or shopping for heirloom-quality pieces, understanding these finishes will help you make an informed decision.