Understanding
the Different Types of Coatings and Their Uses
There are a number of different types of wood
coatings. Each has its own purpose, and may be used independently or in
combination with other coatings. Whether you are building a new home, maintaining a log home, or simply refreshing
the appearance of your wood siding, deck, or fence knowing which coatings you should use is
essential to a successful project. We want you to love the results of your hard
work, which is why we have prepared a brief overview of the various wood
coatings and their applications!
Stain
Stain is a type of solution that is used to
permanently alter the coloration of wood. The most basic type of stain consists
of two ingredients: vehicle, and pigment and/or dyes. The vehicle is the liquid
which makes application of the stain possible. It may be as simple as water or
alcohol. Alternatively, it may be a product that is commonly used for finishing
such as shellac or varnish. Pigments and dyes are both substances
which alter wood's color. Stains that primarily contain pigments are referred
to as "solid"; those which mainly consist of dyes are called
"transparent."
Stains are used to bind colorants to all kinds
of wood surfaces, including decks, furniture, and the interiors and
exteriors of log homes. It is important to note that stains
are specialized: A product that is designed for interior use will fail to
withstand constant exposure to weather.
Finish
Unlike stain, which is designed to add color
to wood, finish is formulated to safeguard the wood
against moisture and other sources of environmental damage. That doesn't mean
finish won't enhance wood's aesthetics, however, as many products do deepen or
brighten wood's natural luster.
Finishes are divisible into two categories:
penetrating and surface. Penetrating finishes include tung, linseed and Danish
oils, all of which soak deeply into the wood's surface to protect it from
cracking, drying and swelling. True to their name, surface finishes do not
penetrate deeply into the underlying wood. Products such as shellac, lacquer, varnish and wax serve only to create a durable protective
outer layer.
Cleaner
Wood cleaner is any product designed to remove
grime and dirt from wooden surfaces, including log cabin exteriors, decking,
flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Various wood cleaning products can contain
active ingredients such as sodium hypochlorite (aka bleach), calcium hypochlorite, sodium percarbonate or dipropylene glycol methyl ether.
Wood cleaners are often combined with wood brighteners. Wood brightener contains
acid that lowers the wood's pH level, which in turn induces pore dilation. Open
pores reflect light more effectively, which has the overall effect of
lightening the wood's color. Because they are frequently applied simultaneously,
a product which combines wood cleaner and brightener halves the amount of time
the contractor or property owner must spend on application.
Preservative
Wood preservative is commonly applied to
wooden surfaces that are exposed to the elements, such as decks, siding, log
home exteriors and fencing. It contains chemicals which actively deter rot and
decay from sources such as mold, fungi and insects. It may also create a
barrier against water, oils, salts and acids.
Wood preservatives traditionally contained
substances such as chromated arsenicals, creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP), although these have
since been deemed harmful to the environment and have largely
been abandoned for residential use. Safer yet still effective alternatives such
as alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ), copper azole and copper naphthenate are presently used instead. High-quality
wood preservatives can include a silicate solution which promotes deeper
permeation of and bonding with the wood.
Borate
Treatment
Borate treatment is also a preservative. Borate boasts excellent water solubility.
Alongside its superior insecticidal and fungicidal properties, that makes it an
optimal treatment for wood that is at risk of becoming damaged by termites,
beetles, carpenter ants and other wood-boring insects. Borate kills the
symbiotic microbes that reside within those insects' stomachs. Some insect
species instinctually avoid consuming borate-treated wood; others don't, and
die soon afterward.
Insecticide
Insecticide, such as Walla Walla Environmental Bug Juice, may be
added to any oil- or latex-based paint, stain or sealant in order to provide
greater protection against insects. The active ingredient is deltamethrin,
which destroys an insect's nervous system if it comes into close contact with
(or eats part of) the treated surface's coating. Deltamethrin is significantly
less toxic to mammals, which is why the Environmental Protection Agency has
approved it for both interior and exterior use.
Lovitt's Coatings specializes in producing high-quality stains, sealers, cleaners, brighteners, preservatives and insecticides for a wide range of architectural applications. If you would like to know anything more about which coatings are best-suited for your goals, then we welcome you to contact us today!
