Timber homes provide an exceptional living experience that requires ongoing upkeep. While initial treatments enhance timber’s innate durability, protecting it against moisture infiltration and UV radiation exposure is still critical.
One way to protect against UV rays is to design spaces which limit direct sunlight exposure, or apply stain or protective coatings directly onto timber surfaces.
Protection against UV rays
Sealants and finishes that contain additives designed to absorb UV radiation can help protect timber surfaces from UV radiation damage, but are only temporary solutions requiring periodic reapplication. Installing pergolas or awnings may provide shade from direct sunlight that further mitigate its effect.
UV degradation of wood polymers, particularly lignin, occurs through their absorption of UV radiation and subsequent reaction with oxygen molecules to form aromatic free radicals that lead to yellowing [3]. This effect can be reduced through pretreating with extractives from durable species that contain UV absorbers; similarly microwave grafting of monomeric UV absorbers with HPT chemistry has proven successful at inhibiting photodegradation as well as improving colour stability during rapid weathering [4].
Photostabilizers can help protect wood against degradation due to UV radiation by adding them to finishing products, including coatings. Photostabilizers have the power to significantly increase durability while improving transparency – typically organic UV absorbers and hindered amine light stabilisers (HALS) are used as photostabilizers; inorganic metal oxides like titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and cerium oxide (CeO2) also act as UV screeners due to their ability to scatter or absorb UV radiation without altering transparency affecting coatings.
Swedish pine tar wood stain
Pine tar has long been used as a natural wood preservative. Penetration deep into timber fibers strengthens it from within, helping prevent warping and cracking while also offering protection from moisture, fungus and insects. Pine tar can even give new life to weathered wood structures by strengthening it from within.
Pine tar provides many advantages, chief among them its convenience in terms of maintenance. Simply apply whenever needed, protecting against fungus and insects as well as water damage; additionally it is non-toxic and eco-friendly!
Pine tar offers beautiful colors. It can come in gold, red, or different hues of brown tones; plus it can even be combined with linseed oil to produce darker staining effects.
Pine tar should only be applied to wood surfaces that have not been coated with petrochemicals, such as those treated with oil paints. When applying pine tar, use a wide brush so the product can be evenly applied across your surface and keep stirring so as to not allow separation; additionally, apply warm.
Osmo UV-Protection Oil Extra
Osmo UV-Protection Oil Extra provides UV protection to vertical exterior wood surfaces like doors, windows and shutters (dimensionally stable elements), carports, timber cladding balconies fences and pergolas. It also protects against mould, algae and fungal attacks; made up of natural plant oils (sunflower, soya bean oil thistle seed oil and linseed oil) silica siccatives additives as well as biocidal active ingredient Propiconazole.
At its heart is a microporous finish which dries to a satin finish with soft sheen that’s easy to maintain; just lightly re-oil when necessary. The microporous nature allows wood to breathe while helping reduce swelling and shrinkage of timber; this dirt resistant surface does not crack, flake, peel or crack either! Although not water proof it should withstand rain showers but for best results a minimum drip angle of 10deg is recommended so as to allow rainwater off quickly rather than staying on surface causing degradation or even damage of wood underneath.
Osmo Natural Oil Wood Stain comes in both clear and tinted versions, with tinted versions providing significantly greater UV protection than their clear counterparts. It can be applied directly onto untreated timber surfaces as well as those pre-treated with Osmo Natural Oil Wood Stain, Timber Oil or Country Colour for maximum effect; however it is advised to first conduct a test application of tinted products so as to achieve your desired result.
Treatex UV Oil
This clear protective finish contains natural waxes and oils to shield timber against the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays from sunlight, making it perfect for doors, windows and cladding exposed to weather conditions. Easy to apply and quick-drying so it can be used immediately – this biocide-free formula makes this finish suitable for both domestic and commercial applications alike.
Regular maintenance can help to protect the timber surface against further deterioration. This may involve regular cleaning, reapplication of protective finish or stain, and shading them from direct sunlight as much as possible – for instance with pergolas and awnings covering them or shade cloth to cover surfaces.
HALS (Hydrogenated Amino Lunes), in addition to UV absorbers, are included in some wood protection products as an aid. HALS inhibits photo-oxidation of lignin in cured coatings to help avoid yellowing and light-induced degradation, leading to improved resistance against yellowing. A developmental additive based on red-shifted chromophores offers enhanced performance when combined with standard organic UVAs and HALS; particularly clear or slightly pigmented systems where its performance has been tested successfully against weathering tests; additionally it can easily be added directly into formulations either as pretreatment or topcoat application. Accelerated weathering tests show positive results! The additive can easily added directly into coating formulation either pretreatment or topcoat application without risk – providing increased light protection from light degradation due to improved light-induced degradation resistance. Accelerated weathering tests show promising results and it can easily added easily into either step pretreatment or subsequent topcoat application process; with weathering tests showing positive weathering results and it being easily added in either phase one or two coat formulation process step one or both prior or subsequent topcoat application step 1 or postcoat formulation step 2.