Wood is soft but durable, a favorite material for many to build houses on summer cottages. Even if the building is built of brick or foam blocks, logs, beams or boards are used to build a bathhouse, garage, gazebo, veranda. You can’t do without wooden decor - a well, benches, swings, bridges. Fences and fences are also made of wood. To avoid rapid destruction of the material, effective protection of wood from external factors is necessary: excessive moisture, fire, insect pests.
- 2 Methods of protection against rotting
- 3 Fire retardants - reliable fire protection
- 4 Insects - no chance!
- 5 Comprehensive protection of residential buildings
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:
Water-based (acrylic) . 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.- 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.
Prevention
The main provocateur of putrefactive processes in wood is moisture. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to ensure proper storage conditions. Ventilation and waterproofing are provided in the room.
When storing timber on the street, sheds are organized. The material must be folded so that the surfaces of the boards are well ventilated. Drying is carried out periodically under natural conditions.
To reduce the moisture content of wood, it is not recommended to use hair dryers and other thermal installations. A sharp change in temperature provokes deformation of the wood.
The boards are laid in such a way that at least 10 cm remains from the ground surface to the flooring. A drainage layer is first laid under the storage so that water does not stagnate after prolonged rainfall.
For long-term storage of wood, choose one of the suitable options:
- Drying in a special chamber (moisture evaporates under the influence of a hot air stream).
- Paraffinization (immersion of material in liquid paraffin followed by exposure in an oven).
- Steaming in linseed oil (boiling wood in oil for several minutes).
When creating conditions for storing wood blanks, predisposing factors for rotting should be taken into account:
- increased air humidity (80-100%);
- increased material humidity (more than 15%);
- temperature from +2 to +40 degrees.
FAQ
What is the best way to coat wood to preserve its natural color?
To preserve the natural pattern and color, the wood is varnished. This task is best accomplished with water-dispersion acrylic-based varnish without pigment, oil impregnations. Other types of coatings turn yellow over time.
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.
Recommendations for wood processing
In order for the result after processing wood to be as expected, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions and follow general recommendations:
- First of all, you need to think about human protection. The treatment agent should not come into contact with the skin or mucous membranes of the eyes. Inhaling fumes from used antiseptics can also be very dangerous. Therefore, it is better to wear a special mask over your eyes. Protect your mouth and nose with a respirator. Wear long rubber gloves on your hands.
- In order for the product to have maximum effect, the wooden surface must be prepared. The wood is cleaned of paint, varnish, dirt and dust.
- To apply impregnation, use a roller, brush, soft sponge or rag. If the treatment surface is very large, you can use a spray bottle.
- It is best to process wood in dry and warm conditions. The material itself must also be dry.
- Excessive antiseptic consumption does not mean more effective protection. It's better to follow the instructions.
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.
What to do if the timber begins to rot
Rotting greatly deteriorates the physical parameters of the tree. Its density drops by 2–3 times and its strength by 20–30 times. It is impossible to restore a rotten tree. Therefore, the element affected by rot should be replaced.
If the mold infestation is minor, you can try to stop the process. To do this, the rotten area is completely removed (including part of the healthy wood). The removed part is replaced with steel reinforcing rods, which must go deep enough into the healthy part of the element. After reinforcement, the area is puttied with epoxy or acrylic putty.
This is a labor-intensive and complex procedure, after which it is not always possible to achieve the previous strength of the structure. The problem is easier to prevent by treating the wood to prevent rotting.
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.
Damage to wood from moisture
Under natural conditions, a living tree has a number of protective mechanisms that prevent the negative effects of fungus, insects and rodents. Once cut, the wood becomes vulnerable. There is a loss of density and destruction of the structure.
The main enemy that accelerates these processes is moisture, which creates a favorable microclimate for the development of fungus. The following factors can provoke putrefactive processes (mold):
- condensation in the room;
- increased level of importance;
- temperature changes;
- freezing;
- contact with ground;
- precipitation.
Damage to wood can be prevented by treating its surfaces. This is done at the stage of wood storage or directly during construction. Impregnations with antiseptic properties are used as a working solution.
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.
Consumer Reviews
“Several years ago, I bought a jar of colorless Yaroslavl decorative antiseptic Premia at a hardware store. They used it to cover the clapboard in the house. Surprisingly there was no unpleasant smell. There were no significant changes in the shade of the wood. It does not need to be diluted; it is sold in a form ready for application. Decorative antiseptic Premium is good because it is both a varnish and an antiseptic. It perfectly protects wooden material from fading and infection by various microorganisms.” – Nikolay Zhetkevich, 29 years old, Novosibirsk.
“I often use the Biocolor Ultra composition from Neomid. It perfectly protects the log house from sunlight, moisture and other adverse phenomena. The resulting layer is always uniform and rich. My secret to even application of the decorative composition is as follows:
- The first applied layer dries out.
- Then it is cleaned with fine-grained sandpaper.
- I remove all the dust and apply a second coat of varnish.
If I apply Biocolor Ultra to new wood, I first prime it. This significantly reduces the consumption of the composition, because the primer fills all the pores of the wood.” – Igor Sednev, 39 years old, Penza.
Wood is a soft, but at the same time durable material, favored by many builders. Even if houses are built from brick, cinder block, etc., it is definitely used for decoration. Benches, wells, fences, swings, and gazebos are made from it. And so that they do not soon collapse as a result of atmospheric influences, it is necessary to carry out protective treatment with antiseptics, as well as varnishes or paints.
What you need to know about mold protection
The protective composition should be selected based on the operating characteristics of the surface being protected. Only hard-to-wash coatings are suitable for outdoor use. Such products will reliably protect wood for 30 years.
For wet rooms (basements, baths) special products are needed that can withstand sudden temperature changes.
Changes in the color of the wood, the appearance of chips and cracks are a signal that the protective coating should be urgently renewed. It is recommended to alternate antiseptic compounds without treating the wood with the same compound again.
