Wood that’s close to a marine environment has much more erosion than usual, so it’s necessary to apply specific treatments so it can be used for many years.
Below we’re going to explain everything you need to know about the use of wood when it’s used for building next to the sea or in areas with a higher degree of humidity.
Protection and maintenance
When it comes to marine environments, the protection applied on the wood that will be used doesn’t vary much. However, maintenance must be done more regularly due to the fact that sea water corrodes the wood due to the minerals it contains, especially salt, which makes the pH more alkaline.
In the case of a dry environment or one with a normal amount of humidity, maintenance is usually done every 3 or 4 years. In the case of woof that’s close to the sea, there will be a small annual maintenance or a more thorough one every two years.
Wood in Nordic countries
In Nordic countries, known for being precursors in the treatment of wood in marine environments, they have always used treatments with wood stain instead of varnish and synthetic treatments.
Wood stains are treatments with special pigments that protect the material from the sun and other external aggressions. In order to apply it, the wood must be prepared so it returns to its virgin state. This is because wood stain protection acts from the inside towards the outside.
What makes this product different is that it doesn’t create a layer on top of the material, so the final touch looks much more natural. On the other hand, varnish and synthetic treatments create a layer on top of the wood, which implies a change in the feel of the final product where the applied treatment will be clearly visible.
Experts advise using wood stain since it helps the wood not lose its properties. Although there are many opinions, a natural texture is usually preferred over an artificial one.
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