How Will Your Timber Weather?
Why does timber turn grey/silver?
Over time, timber will weather to an attractive silver/grey hue due to long-term exposure to UV rays. In terms of fading, it is difficult to determine how long your timber will retain its colour since this depends completely on the level of exposure that your material receives.
Darker timbers will absorb more UV and will fade quicker than light coloured timbers. A simple experiment to verify this is to put your hand onto a car body that is black and compare it to a car body that is white, and you will feel the difference.
All external buildings will gradually change over time, and timber is no exception due to constantly being exposed to the ever-changing elements of the UK climate. The weathering process will change the surface appearance of the boards and the overall look of the building. However, this will not affect the durability of our ThermoWood boards.
Weathering is a normal and healthy process in timber and should not be mistaken for fungal decay. The weathering of timber can complement the look of your project or be avoided if you apply the recommended treatments.
Design and Location
Sometimes, the weathering of timber is dependent on how the project is designed and located. If your material is sheltered from rain or faces a side that receives less sunlight, weathering will slow. Of course, timber positioned to take the full force of the weather will fade faster. In areas of high rainfall, some timber materials will weather in just a few months. In drier areas, the process is usually slower. Over time, the entire building, unless completely sheltered, will weather to the same colour and will remain an attractive silver/grey hue for years to come.
💡Top Tip:
Planting trees to shelter or shade the building will reduce the effects of the elements on the building directly.
UV Exposure
If your timber is exposed to a high level of UV rays, the material will most likely weather quicker than dwellings that are not constantly exposed to the sun. Initially, the timber will begin to take on a yellow or brown tone, which will then turn to a grey/silver tone. An elevation that faces due south will be subject to greater UV exposure than a north-facing elevation, which does not see any direct sun (applicable to properties in the Northern Hemisphere).
Will my timber deteriorate when it weathers?
Many people assume that their timber must be deteriorating if it weathers to a different colour. This is not true! A colour fade does not indicate that the timber is deteriorating. In the case of our ThermoWoods, if you scratched the surface of a weathered board, you will find that the original colour is underneath. This is simply due to the surface oxidation, and the durable properties of the timber are not diminished. Opting for good quality hardwood or a clear-grade softwood will provide you with a durable, long-term solution whether it fades to a silvery hue or is re-oiled, compared to a lower-cost knotty softwood.
How do I stop my timber from weathering?
Although timber looks very attractive before and after it has weathered, since this demonstrates that the product is natural and over time the property will blend into its environment, some customers choose to delay the weathering process to ensure that their timber stays its original colour.
Timber cladding can be treated with clear or coloured treatments which slow the process of ageing. These coatings will need to be reapplied as and when you feel it needs a refresh. The primary function of a coating is to slow down the UV degradation, maintaining its appearance. Clear coatings will help preserve the original colour of the timber, and coloured coatings can be applied in a colour of your choice. However, we would always recommend a clear coating like our Messmers UV Plus Oil as this will enhance the natural beauty of the timber.
When a coating is applied in a factory, before the timber is exposed to the elements, this eliminates the variables which affect a site-applied coating, such as weather and humidity. Keeping the boards clean, dry and away from UV rays before the coating is applied will have a positive effect on the coating system.
💡Top Tip:
We would recommend applying a coating to the rear of your boards before installing. This prevents moisture absorption, which ensures that the material and trim components maintain dimensional stability.
Will my charred cladding fade?
Due to the charring process that our ThermoChar® range goes through, our heavy charred cladding will only be UV resistant. However, the UV sealer that is also applied helps to look after the delicate charred layer and will need to be re-applied if the surface is compromised at any point to help prevent any surface weathering.
Our Medium ThermoChar® range, like ' Ebony ', will remain black, provided the UV sealer is re-applied when it's starting to lighten up.
The lightly charred range, like 'Wildfire', has the grain and knots blackened and sealed. Bear in mind that, as previously mentioned, the black elements will absorb the UV and start to fade quicker than its surrounding surface, thereby creating a different two-tone appearance, which many people quite like the changing contrast.
Still Unsure?
Get in Contact with us here: Sales@qtdgroup.com
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