Finishing products

I am in the midst of cutting a frame for our new house. We are wondering what is commonly used to finish the timbers (oil, polyurethane). The frame is eastern white pine. Is finishing best done prior to raising with touch-ups done once raised or should I wait and do the whole frame once raised. Obviously cost is an issue.
Thanks for your help!

Oil finishes are much more common than poly due to ease of application. In most cases the finish is applied prior to raising. Most framers have a favorite recipe for oil based finishes related to how they are affected by conditions prior to closing in the frame. See the many opinions raised in this discussion http://www.timberframersguild.org/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000004.html

With white pine, an additional concern is blue mold formation. See this discussion for a good overview http://www.timberframersguild.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000044.html

[This message has been edited by Brian W (edited 06-22-2000).]

Hi! I read with interest the discussion on finishes posted last year. I am in the process of starting some finishing work myself on white pine timbers and was wondering if any informed individuals might know why tung oil has not come up in the discussions? Also, what are the better finishes (including low toxicity, etc.) that can be used on exterior white pine timbers that will be exposed to periodic wettings from driven rain/snow? Thanks!