Finishing of wood - what and how to coat the material.
The main enemies of wood are water and fire, the rays of the sun and living microorganisms, insects that gnaw on wood or choose it as a place for reproduction (here we are talking about mold fungi).
And wooden structures that are located in the open air especially need protection from aggressive opponents, which have a negative impact on the structure, affect the strength and appearance.
For this reason, the question of how to cover wood, especially outdoors, will be relevant for owners of a country house. When you get acquainted with all the variety of protective compositions, you will be able to choose the composition that is suitable for your purposes and will be affordable for you.
Kinds
Water-repellent impregnations are also called gyrophobic agents. In their pure form they are rarely found. Depending on additional properties, they come in several types.
Fire retardant
Such products resist not only moisture, but also fire, and reduce the flammability of building and finishing materials. They contain fire retardants. Then the flame in case of fire spreads much slower.
Impregnations with fire retardants do not make the material non-flammable, but only prolong the combustion time.
With priming properties
Such impregnations can also be used as a primer. They not only protect the material from moisture penetration, but also improve adhesion to the finishing coating and reduce the consumption of the latter.
From rot and mold
The peculiarity of these products is their maximum ability to drive away moisture. They also include fungicidal drugs that suppress the growth of mold.
Color impregnations
These products contain pigmentation. They tint the wood and make it more decorative, emphasizing the structure.
Expert opinion
Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich
If the timber or board has a light blue or gray-green tint when purchased, then it has already been treated with moisture impregnations. But just in case, you need to clarify this point with the seller and ask to show certificates for the products.
Conclusion
To preserve the presentable appearance of the facade or decoration and prevent harmful effects, specialized protective equipment is used. They will not only emphasize the beauty of the tree, but will also help extend its service life, and timely renewal of coatings will postpone the need for replacement or reconstruction for many years.
Not only the original wooden walls need protection, but also any wood facing materials, for example, imitation timber or shingles. In the video there is a master class: a wooden sofa for the garden.
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Base type
Impregnations are also distinguished by the type of base. They are:
. These products are inexpensive and have good water-repellent properties. Their advantage is environmental friendliness. The compositions dry quickly and do not emit an unpleasant odor. Such impregnations are recommended for slightly damp wood, into which solvent-based products will not penetrate. One of the disadvantages is the inability to process wood at subzero temperatures. Acrylic impregnations are not recommended for old, dry wood. Under the influence of such compounds, the material may swell and crack.
Water based (acrylic)- Organic based . This type of water repellent is more often used outside buildings. They reliably protect the tree from the negative influence of the environment, penetrate inside faster and deeper. Their disadvantage is toxicity, which persists until the liquid dries completely. Therefore, it is better to use organic impregnations outdoors. If they are intended for interior work, then be sure to ventilate the room well and use personal protective equipment during processing. Organic water repellents are used for both planed and unplaned logs.
- On a combined basis . These products have the advantages of both products at once, since they contain both an organic and a water-dispersed component. The first provides deep, the second - superficial protection.
How to choose
It is preliminarily determined where it is planned to apply the impregnation - inside or outside the building. Facade products may contain ingredients that are harmful to health, but are indispensable for more reliable protection of wood from the influence of climatic conditions. For products used outside the building, frost resistance and ultraviolet filters will also be required.
Pay attention to whether the shade has a protective coating. If they then want to cover the wood with transparent products - for example, varnish, oil, wax, then the final shade will be completely different from what was intended in the project.
They analyze what additional properties are still needed - protection from pests, fire, surface texture, etc.
Environmental friendliness and harmlessness to health are also important, especially when it comes to the treatment of walls or decoration in a children's room, bedroom, or kitchen. It should also be taken into account that not all water repellents for walls and ceilings can be used on the floor.
Often buyers choose products based on price, but do not pay attention to consumption. Thus, cheap compounds are sometimes recommended to be applied in 3–4 layers. When using products of a higher price segment, you can often get by with double processing.
What should you protect wood from?
Any natural building materials are exposed to the external environment - they are able to expand when the temperature rises, absorb moisture, and also fade under the rays of the sun. The tree is especially vulnerable in this regard. It is a living organism, and after being cut from the root it loses moisture. The drying process is accompanied by cracking and deformation, and at the same time, with an increased level of air humidity or even contact with water, the wood begins to actively absorb it, and as a result, swell.
The accumulation of moisture in the wood will certainly lead to mold and mildew spores settling in it, which begin to quickly develop and destroy the structure, penetrating deeper and capturing the surface. Signs of such damage will be visual differences - uneven wood texture, gray/white/bluish and black deposits, stains that spoil the appearance of the wood structure. Gradually the tree becomes ordinary dust.
Please note that rot caused by fungi is dangerous not only because it has a destructive effect on wood, but is also very harmful to human health. Fungal spores that are in the air penetrate deep into the lungs and begin to cause various diseases.
For many structures, this situation will be very dangerous, even if high aesthetic requirements are not imposed on them. For example, if you don’t think in advance about what exactly to cover the porch of a barn with or to process wooden fence posts, then after a short time everything will rot and the fence will not be able to bear the load that was previously calculated.
The second dangerous factor is fire, which wood cannot withstand without special treatment. In addition, wood-boring insects, which gnaw many passages in it, will irreversibly destroy the structure of the material and deprive it of its former strength.
Moreover, after a certain time, the surface of untreated wood parts begins to darken and an ugly gray tint is obtained, and the material becomes covered with deep cracks. All this will not have the best effect on the appearance, and therefore it is worth deciding how to cover the wood outdoors so that both the strength and beauty of the material are preserved for a long time.
The best products on the Russian market
These water repellents are very popular among professionals and home craftsmen.
V33 Extreme Climate
Water-based impregnation for extreme wood protection has a 12-year guarantee. The product imparts moisture-repellent properties to wax. The drug forms a microfilm that allows the wood to breathe.
Anti-corrosion components protect metal parts from corrosion. The line is available in 12 colors. The product also contains UV filters. Extreme Climate can be used inside and outside buildings.
In earlier versions, the product was called azure, impregnation, the new name is antiseptic.
Flugger Wood Tex Transparent
Glazing impregnation based on alkyd oil and acrylic resins dispersed in water creates a semi-matte protective film on the surface. The texture is thick, jelly-like, easy to apply. The product is designed for exterior work. If application technology is followed and two-layer coating is used, the service life of the coating reaches 10 years. Complete rejection occurs within 48 hours.
Goodhim TEXTURE 651 BASE A
The basis of the covering antiseptic is acrylic dispersion. The composition also includes biocides, fungicides, oils, and wax emulsion. The product is used on unpainted, painted, darkened wood materials, as well as for painting in light colors. The water repellent is not suitable for floor treatment. The drug is available in two variations: A - white, C - transparent.
Dufa Wood Protect
The product protects the wooden surface not only from moisture, but also from dirt.
The impregnation is made using new technology. The alkyd component promotes deep protection of materials from the inside, and the acrylate dispersion forms a film. The product is intended for walls and ceilings only, and should not be used on floors or other surfaces subject to mechanical or chemical stress. Dufa Wood Protect is also suitable for exotic wood species.
The product has a viscous, jelly-like (thixotropic) structure and does not form drops when applied. The texture of the coating is matte. The collection includes 8 shade options - from white and colorless to rosewood.
Pinotex Ultra Lasur marigold
The composition forms a moisture-repellent layer that does not hide the wood texture. The manufacturer included a UV filter and components that prevent the growth of algae and mold. Protective properties are provided by alkyd resin and linseed oil. The coating layer resembles varnish and gives the painted surface water- and dirt-repellent properties. The product is recommended for outdoor use.
Tikkurila Eko Wood
A glazing antiseptic based on an organic solvent helps protect the wood outside the building. The product penetrates deeply into the wood and slows down the decomposition of fibers caused by exposure to moisture. Tinted compounds also ensure that the material is resistant to ultraviolet radiation.
How to use
The wood is first cleaned and the resinous areas are scraped off. Remove mold using a scraper or wire brush. Then impregnation is applied - at least 2 layers.
Impregnations are applied in several ways:
- immerse the wood in the solution;
- use a brush or roller;
- applied with a spray.
The use of a sprayer increases the consumption of the product. Organic-based water repellents are not recommended to be applied by spray due to their toxicity.
Surface pre-treatment
To ensure that the impregnation does not lose its properties, it is recommended to treat the wood material in advance in a special way. The work is carried out in two stages:
- Grinding. You will need a sanding machine (quickly) or you will have to spend a long time fiddling with sandpaper of different grits. The surface is leveled in the same way as before traditional priming or painting.
- Cleaning. Using a vacuum cleaner, all debris, chips and dust are removed from the sanded surface. The wood can even be washed afterwards.
The same procedure is resorted to if the appearance of a wooden building has clearly faded over the years. Alas, untreated wood loses its beauty over time, darkening and seeming to get dirty. In this case, the external unpleasant plaque is removed in the same way - by grinding.
It is advisable to apply a primer to the cleaned surface. Next, when the primer dries, the wood is coated with a couple of layers of antiseptic, applying it with a spray bottle or brush.
When the surface is ready, you can begin impregnation.
You can process the gazebo with this material
Making your own product
This ancient recipe has been used for centuries. You can cook it yourself from available products. The impregnation is environmentally friendly, emphasizes the wood texture well, and protects against moisture due to the content of vegetable fats and wax.
What water-repellent impregnation would you use?
PurchasedHomemade
To prepare the product you will need the following ingredients:
- linseed oil - 0.5 l;
- beeswax - 50 g;
- a slice of pine rosin the size of a quail egg.
Step-by-step instructions for preparing the impregnation:
- Oil is poured into a pan that is no longer used for cooking.
- Grind the wax using a grater or a knife.
- Place the pan on the stove, add wax, and add rosin.
- Turn on minimal heat.
- Boil the oil solution, stirring constantly until the wax is almost completely dissolved.
- Turn off the fire.
Homemade water repellent is ready.
As a rule, home remedies are less effective than factory-made drugs. And the final cost of the “grandfather’s funds” may turn out to be higher. It’s a personal matter for everyone which option of water repellent to choose. But even the simplest impregnation will in any case extend the life of a wooden house and finishing made from this material.
How to coat a wooden fence for durability outdoors
There are several types of liquid compounds that can be used to coat wood against adverse effects. They can also play a decorative role, emphasizing the texture, tinting or painting the fence during processing.
Apply a protective layer of impregnation
Let's take a closer look at how you can treat a wooden fence for a long time, cheaply and beautifully.
