Protective Coatings

Protective coatings are crucial for protecting your timber and keeping it in excellent condition. They form a barrier that shields the timber from the elements, ensuring that your Masswood products remain in top shape. Our expert team can advise you on the best solution for your application and we offer in-house finishing options so your timber is ready to go.

Priming: The First Line of Defence

Applying a timber primer is a critical step in preparing wood for painting or staining. It not only ensures that the wood stays protected and maintains its structural integrity over time but also enhances the visual outcome of the finished project. By doing so, primer acts as an essential foundation that improves the longevity, beauty, and resilience of timber products.

PRIMER BENEFITS

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Enhances Durability

Seals Porosity:

Wood is naturally porous, varying greatly between different species. Primer seals these pores, preventing excessive absorption of subsequent layers of oil or paint. This sealing action helps maintain the structural integrity of the wood by mitigating moisture absorption, which can lead to swelling, warping, or rot.

Protection Against Elements:

Primer forms a protective shield over the wood, safeguarding it against environmental elements such as UV rays, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. This protection reduces the likelihood of weathering, decay, and damage over time.

Improves Aesthetics

Uniform Appearance:

Primer covers imperfections, knots, and variations in the wood’s colour and grain, creating a more uniform and neutral base for the final oil or paint. This ensures that the top coat of oil or paint appears consistent and vibrant. This is particularly important when lighter or translucent finishes are used.

Enhanced Paint Adhesion:

Primer improves the adhesion of oil and paint to the wood surface, leading to a smoother application. Better adhesion reduces the risk of peeling, blistering, or flaking, which are common issues in unprimed wood. This results in a more attractive and long-lasting finish.

Reduces Maintenance and Costs

Fewer Top Coats Required:

A primed surface is smoother and more uniform, which often means that fewer top coats of oil or paint are required to achieve a solid and even finish. This can lead to significant savings in both material costs and labour.

Extends Paint Life:

Because the primer improves adhesion and forms a protective barrier, it extends the life of the paint job. A longer-lasting finish means less frequent repainting, thereby reducing maintenance costs over the life of the timber.

Depending on your application, there are two priming options:

Clear/translucent Primer is used when a clear or coloured timber oil is chosen as your finish.

White Primer is used when your timber will be painted with a coloured exterior paint.

Protection Oil: Nourish from Within

Protective oils are essential for maintaining the integrity and appearance of glulam and other timber products. This proactive measure not only enhances the durability of the timber but also preserves its aesthetic qualities, this crucial step significantly extends the life and appearance of your timber investment.

At Masswood we predominately specify two exceptional products: WOCA Exterior Oil and Intergrain Universal® Timber Oil. Both are designed to deeply penetrate and protect exterior timber and come in various stain colours. Both products ensure long-lasting protection without peeling, cracking, or flaking, helping to maintaining the wood’s aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.

Woca Exterior Wood Oil is a 2 in 1 coating system which can be used on any timber species, including Accoya. It is a water and plant based penetrating oil that absorbs deep into the wood strengthening the wood from the inside out. It hardens from inside of the wood to strengthen and protect from the harsh outdoor elements and includes UV protection. As a penetrating oil, WOCA Exterior Oil does not produce a film on top of the timber, minimising peeling and flaking off from the coating.

EXPLORE COLOUR RANGE

Intergrain Universal Timber Oil is an oil-based coating designed to protect and nourish all timber species from within. The deeply penetrating, clear finish of this exterior timber and decking oil will never flake, blister or peel and helps prevent warping, cupping and splitting. Specially formulated to coat over existing mineral oil coatings, Universal Timber Oil also creates an unlocked system, enabling water based or oil based coatings to be applied
over the top in future.

Further Details

Durability

Class 1

Appearance Grade

A Only

Profiles

Straight of cambered to 600m radius

Curves (see curves tab)

Design Properties
Glulam Grade	GL10
Density	515 kg/m³

Strength [N/MM2]
Bending	F^m,k = 22
Tension	F^t,0,k = 13 (parallel), F^t,90,k = 0.5 (perpendicular)
Compression	F^c,0,k = 20 (parallel), F^c,90,k = 2.4 (perpendicular)
Shear	F^v,k = 2.4

Stiffness [KN/MM2]
Mean MOE Parallel	E^0,mean = 10
5% MOE Parallel	E^0,0.5 = 6.7
Mean MOE Perpendicular	E^90,mean = 0.33
Mean Shear Modulus	G^mean = 0.63

EXPLORE OIL BENEFITS

The Masswood team is well-equipped to guide, recommend and apply the best protective coatings for your timber project, leveraging extensive experience with various products, ensuring your timber remains robust and visually appealing for years to come.

PROTECTION

Coatings create a barrier that protects the timber from exposure to moisture, UV rays, and other environmental factors that can cause damage. This helps prevent the wood from rotting, warping, or cracking.

ENHANCED DURABILITY

By applying a protective coating, it increases the timber’s resistance to wear and tear. This means the wood can withstand more stress and last longer, making it a more durable option for construction and design.

AESTHETIC APPEAL

Coatings can also enhance the visual appeal of timber by highlighting its natural grain and colour. This can add a beautiful finish to your project, making the timber not only more durable but also more attractive.

EASY MAINTENANCE

Coated timber is easier to maintain as the protective layer can be reapplied periodically to maintain its appearance and protective qualities. This regular maintenance helps keep the timber in optimal condition over the years.

RESISTANCE TO PESTS

Certain coatings can also provide a level of protection against pests such as termites and fungi. This adds an extra layer of safeguarding to ensure the timber remains strong and intact.

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

Coatings can enhance the performance of timber in various applications, ensuring it meets the specific requirements of different environments and uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What types of coatings are best for outdoor timber?

For outdoor timber, the best coating are those that provide UV protection and moisture resistance to prevent decay and fading. Oil-based stains, water-repellent sealers, primers and exterior varnishes are commonly recommended because they penetrate deeply and form a durable protective layer.

How often should timber coatings be reapplied?

The frequency of reapplication depends on the type of coating, the environmental conditions, and the usage of the timber. Generally, it’s recommended to reapply coatings every one to three years. However, areas exposed to harsh weather may require more frequent maintenance.

Can I apply a new coat over an old coating?

Yes, you can often apply a new coat over an existing coating, but it’s crucial to ensure the old surface is clean, dry, and well-prepped. Sanding the old coat and ensuring it’s free of peeling or flaking will help the new coating adhere better and last longer.

What is the difference between staining and painting timber?

Staining timber enhances the natural grain and colour of the wood, offering protection while allowing the texture to show through. Paint, however, provides a thicker layer of protection with a solid colour, covering the natural wood appearance. Stains penetrate the wood and require less maintenance, whereas paint sits on the surface and may require more frequent touch-ups.

How do I choose the right coating for my timber project?

Choosing the right coating depends on the project’s requirements and the timber’s exposure conditions. Ideally exterior timber will have a Protective Finish that has been specifically designed for outdoor use that resist UV light and moisture. Consider the desired finish; such as white or clear primer and for the final coat there is glossy, matte or natural. Staining to a desired colour is also an option, if that’s something you’d like to explore for your project.

Enhance and Safeguard Your Timber