111 Exterior Wood Finishes HLL Introduction, nr M12 Exterior Substrates 13 ‘Wood Properties and Weathering » Wood and Wood-Based Products «Water Soluble Extractives 113. Exterior Finishes nL ‘Natural Weathering» Applied Finishes William C. Feist 114 Summary ren Constant References Mel 111.1 Introduction Wood exposed outdoors undergoes a number of physical and chemical phenomena mostly caused by ‘moisture influences, sunlight, and temperature, The degradation of wood by any biological or physical agent modifies some of the organic components of wood. These components are primarily polysaccha- rides (cellulose and hemicelluloses) and polyphenolics (Lignin). Extractives are also present in relatively small quantities, and their concentration determines color, odor, and other nonmechanical properties of 1 wood species. A change in the organic components may be caused by an enzyme, a chemical, or electromagnetic radiation, but invariably the net result isa change in molecular structure through some chemical reaction, ‘The relative effects of various energy forms on wood indoors and outdoors are compared in Table 111.1. The most serious threat to wood indoors comes from thermal energy, and outdoors, from weath- ering — the combination of chemical, mechanical, and light energies. The weathering of wood is not to be confused with wood decay (rot), which results from organisms (fungi) acting in the presence of excess ‘moisture and air for an extended period, Under conditions suitable for decay, wood can deteriorate rapidly, and the result is far different from that observed for natural outdoor weathering, ‘Weathering can be detrimental to the surfaces and appearance of wood. Thus, weathering must be taken into account when considering the preservation and protection of outdoor wood, Being a product of nature, wood is also subject to biological attack by fungi and insects. Most of these stressing factors, influencing factors, and weathering effects interact and influence a finished wood surface (Figure 111.1) ‘The primary functions of any wood finish (e-. paint, varnish, wax, stan, oil) are to protect the wood surface, help maintain appearance, and provide cleanability. Unfinished wood can be used outdoors without protection. However, wood surfaces exposed to the weather without any finish are roughened. by photodegradation and surface checking, change color, and slowly erode. ‘Wood and wood-based products in a variety of species, grain patterns, textures, and colors can be effectively finished by many different methods. Selection of the finish will depend on the appearance and. degree of protection desired and on the substrates used. Also, different finishes give varying degrees of protection, so the type, the quality, the quantity, and the application method of the finish must be considered when selecting and planning the finishing or refinishing of wood and wood-based products untm2 ratings Technology Handbook, Third Edition TABLE 111.1 Relative Effects of Various Energy Forms on Wood Indoors Outdoors Form of TT Energy Result oF ect Result ot ect Thermal Tnvense Fite Severe Fite severe slight Darkening of color Slight Drkening of color Slight Light Color change Slight Extensive color changes Severe (Chemical degradation especially lignin) Severe Mechanical Wearand ear Slight—-Wear and tear slight Wind erosion igh Sutaceroughening severe Defierzation severe Chemica Staining Slight Surface roughening severe Discoloration Slight -—_~Deiberiation Severe Color change Slight Selective leaching Severe Color change Severe Strength loss severe 5 Both vse and ultraviolet igh Stressing elements Pram] [fTeman| (Tamar) [Weer | tc wradaton | [aaton [~Lenanges [| "2 8% = aarsns tie wood paarmance Wood properties (finished of untinishes) Quality of design Properties and appaton often Maintenance Dimensional changes, Proto 3 chemical [| voaing f-(ésommaton | erosion | ocoeaton [Searadation| leaching, hydrolysis Weathering ettcts Major elements and effects FIGURE 1 P Stressing factors, influencing factors, and weathering effects that contribute to wood-fnish formance.Exterior Wood Finishes us Satisfactory performance of wood finishes is achieved when thorough consideration is given to the many factors that alfect these finishes. These factors include the properties of the wood substrate, characteristics of the finishing material, details of application, and severity of exposure. Some of these important considerations are reviewed in this chapter. Additional sources of detailed information are listed in the references at the end of this chapter. 111.2 Exterior Substrates 11.2.1 Wood Properties and Weathering Wood is natural biological material and as such its properties vary not only from one species to another but within the same species. Some differences can even be expected in boards cut from the same tree. The natural and manufacturing characteristics of wood are important influences on finishing character- istics and durability ‘The properties of wood that vary greatly from species to species ate density, grain characteristics (presence of earlywood and latewood), texture (hardwood or softwood), presence and amount of heart- wood or sapwood, and the presence of extractives, resins, and oils, The density of wood is one of the ‘most important factors that affect finishing characteristics. Excessive dimensional change in wood con- stantly stresses a film-forming finish such as paint and may result in early failure ofthe finish. Density varies greatly from species to species and is important because high-density woods shrink and swell more than do low-density woods. The paintability of various sofiwoods and hardwoods is related to natural wood characteristics of density, presence of latewood, and texture, and to manufacturing characteristics such as ring orientation, ‘Wood surfaces that shrink and swell the least are best for painting. For this reason, vertical- or edge grained surfaces (Figure 111.2) are far better than flat-rained surfaces of any specie, especially for exterior use, where wide ranges of relative humidity and periodic wetting can produce equally wide ranges of swelling and shrinking. Table 11.2 lists the painting and weathering characteristics of softwoods and hardwoods. QU Ey Edge-Grained (Cross Section of Log Flat-Grained FIGURE 111.2. Edge-grained (or vertial-grained or quartersaved) board A, and flat-grained (or slash-grained or plinsawed) board B, cut from a log.