In this one-hour course, the design professional will be given the opportunity to consider ways that pre-finished wood products may be used to enhance the beauty of natural wood while expanding its life expectancy. Various types of stains and sealants will be discussed to discover the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Then, we will look at specific attributes of water-based coatings, including environmental benefits, compliance, maintenance, sustainability, and protection. A discussion of shop-applied versus field-applied coatings will be conducted to help design professionals be better equipped to determine which system best meets the needs of their projects. Design professionals will then be able to visualize several product applications, including exterior wood uses, residential, commercial, and hospitality venues to spark their creative design skills as they approach their next project where wood is used as a natural resource to produce enduring, aesthetically-pleasing structures that inspire the well-being of building users.