Choosing UV Wood Protection In 2023
Wood has been a staple in building materials for thousands of years and there is no denying that it is one of the most capable and reliable materials on offer. After all, hard and softwood trees grow all over the globe and can easily be harvested and replanted to maintain a sustainable resource.
Over the years many of the world's most ambitious projects would have been impossible without the use of wood as a building material. The Great Pyramids for example used wood to transport and build the frames for the large stone sections of the structure. Of course, there are also the iconic mediaeval timber-framed structures of European cities and battleship fleets of times gone by.
However, wood does have a few weaknesses. You may have noticed that we don’t seem to have any lasting remains of Viking settlements or ancient ships. This is due to the rotting nature of wood and has plagued our building industries for hundreds of years. Up until very recently we simply did not have the technology to combat this and many structures slowly withered away until they were pulled down or collapsed naturally. However, over the last few years as technology has progressed, we have become more and more proficient in protecting our wood from the elements.
These methods of protection vary a lot in both their effectiveness and their protection but also what they protect the wood from. Of course, some of the most obvious forms of wood decay come from moisture and rain. When moisture finds its way into the wood it forms the perfect environment for small areas of mould to grow. This mould can then spread through the material before the entire piece is rotten and unusable.
There are however some other areas which cause damage to wood. One of these slightly more unusual or unheard-of factors is the sun. Ultraviolet or UV rays can be incredibly damaging to humans and we have a number of ways in which we can protect ourselves. Sun cream for example protects your skin from these harmful rays but what about our building materials? As wood is an organic material it too feels the effects of UV rays and can decay rapidly if exposed to the sun for too long without protection.
These rays affect the fibres of the wood which in turn have a variety of degenerative effects that become progressively worse. The wood will begin showing signs of UV weathering when it dulls slightly in colour, losing its natural shine and brightness. Of course, this loss in aesthetic appeal is something we would all want to avoid, however, there may be some more serious things happening which at this point may be invisible to the naked eye. After your wood becomes dull in colour this means the UV has started to damage the fibres in the timber making your material far more prone to cracking and warping.
If left long enough your wood will then become warped and cracked which will leave your home or structure incredibly susceptible to other damaging weather effects. Clearly then protecting your wooden structures from the sun should be one of your highest priorities. So, how can you do this and how will this improve your structures? Keep reading this blog to find out more!
UV wood protection options
Most of the options for UV wood protection come in the form of paint or oil which you apply to the surface of the material. Naturally, these liquids have a variety of different selling points and you should consider each option carefully before making a decision. After all, many of these coatings will have lasting aesthetic effects which may change the visual nature of your home or structure.
In terms of the different options, there are the natural oils which have an almost clear finish which makes the wood appear richer in colour but maintains its natural grain and tone. There are also natural wood staining options which keep the material's wooden look but change the colour to make the material lighter or darker depending on your preference. Lastly, there are of course the coloured options when you can both protect your wooden structures from the harmful UV rays while painting your building a different colour of your choice.
Why protect your floor with UV Oil?
UV oil is one of the most popular forms of wood protection and can be used by many builders and carpenters alike. Many homeowners up and down the country choose oil as their protective layers for their cladding and wooden structures. So, why is this method so popular and why should you choose it for your home or building?
Flooring
Wooden flooring is one of the most common areas which can find itself highly damaged from the sun's rays. After all, your floor can often be left exposed to the sun for long periods throughout the day so the effects of the sun have plenty of time to start damaging the surface of the wood. What’s more, it's extremely easy to forget about your floor as these areas are inside and naturally less susceptible to incremental damage. Of course, this means many homeowners forget all about their flooring until it is too late.
Of course, after reading this blog you’ll know that your wooden flooring is incredibly susceptible to sun damage so you should protect this at all costs. Your flooring was likely incredibly expensive and we’re sure you spent hours deciding on its tone and grain. The sun will warp this colour and even crack and bend your flooring.
Oil is the best choice for wooden flooring as it maintains the natural colour and grain of wood all whilst protecting it from those nasty UV rays. So, you can withhold the original aesthetic of the room whilst protecting it for years to come.
There are some other major benefits to using UV oil on your wooden flooring. We’re sure if you have a wooden floor somewhere in your home then you're well aware of the difficulties with cleaning and maintaining this beautiful feature. This naturally polished and clean surface shows signs of dirt and dust extremely quickly and cleaning it can at times be fairly challenging. However, with UV oil, you will find this job far easier. The oil makes the surface of the wood incredibly resistant so a quick sweep will likely brush most of the dust away.
Sustainability
We're sure our readers are well aware of the current risks our world faces from the damaging effects of climate change. Scientists now unanimously agree that our world is warming due to our own actions and that if we do not change the way we live then a mass extension is inevitable. Everyone then should be doing their bit to help the planet in every way possible.
Of course, the building industry is no stranger to environmentally damaging processes. Many of the materials and methods within buildings should be questioned and reformed to better help the environment and slow down the increasing effects of climate change. One of these methods is UV wood protection. Many coatings and protective layers have a myriad of chemicals which have harmful effects on the environment and should therefore be removed and replaced with sustainable options.
However, UV oil is different from some of the other options. It is by far the most environmentally friendly option as it uses many natural resources to create the protective formula. So, if you’re after a sustainable option then UV oil is the right choice for you.
If you’re after some UV protection for your wood then you should look no further than Treatex. We have been helping people find a sustainable but efficient option for their wood protection for many years and pride ourselves on our customer satisfaction rate. What's more, we have over 40 years of first-hand experience so we can advise you on anything to do with UV wood protection. We would love to talk you through your next options and our staff are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today!