Impregnate wood against humidity and rot. Impregnating untreated wood is essential to protect the wood against humidity and rot. Untreated wood is vulnerable and can quickly be damaged by moisture and rain. To protect the wood against these hazards, it is essential to impregnate it with a suitable impregnating agent.
An impregnating agent protects the wood against humidity and other harmful external influences. The agent penetrates deep into the wood, meaning that moisture can no longer penetrate the wood. Because the wood no longer absorbs humidity, mold growth will also be prevented. Green deposits are, therefore, a thing of the past.
A good impregnating agent is colorless, which preserves the wood’s natural appearance, making impregnating untreated wood also highly suitable for garden furniture and fences.
Impregnating untreated wood is necessary to protect the wood against moisture and rot. This can be done using a suitable impregnating agent. This seals the wood and prevents water from penetrating the wood. This keeps the wood beautiful and retains its natural appearance.
How can wood rot?
Wood rotting is a process in which wood is broken down by fungi that penetrates the wood, occurring when the moisture content in the wood remains high for a long time, allowing the mold spores to germinate and grow.
Two types of fungi can cause wood rot: white rot and brown rot. White rot is a fungus that whitens the wood and breaks down the wood’s cell walls, while brown rot turns the wood dark brown and breaks down the wood’s fiber structure.
Wood can rot if exposed to prolonged moisture, such as leaks, floods, or high humidity. Poor ventilation can also contribute to the development of wood rot. For example, if wooden structures, such as floors, walls, and roofing, are not adequately ventilated, moisture can accumulate and promote mold growth. By impregnating wood with a suitable impregnating agent, the wood is protected against moisture. For example, fungi and algae no longer have a breeding ground to multiply.
Difference with oil
Treating wood with oil is a common way to protect wood against weather influences. However, wood oil always causes a color change in the wood.
In addition, the wood ages darker. Also, treating wood with oil is difficult and often involves a mess. Wood treated with an impregnating agent does not cause any color change. The wood also does not gray as dark as with oil.
It is recommended to treat the wood every year with wood oil. Impregnating agents do not have to be reapplied yearly, often lasting for years.
Solvents
It is vital to impregnate wood with a water-based impregnation agent instead of harmful solvents.Solvents can be toxic to humans and the environment.
For example, prolonged exposure to solvents can cause painter’s disease.
Water-based impregnating agents do not have this risk.
Natural color
The natural color of wood changes as soon as it is treated with paint, stain, or oil. These products close the wood with a covering layer. An impregnating agent penetrates deep into the wood and covers each wood fiber individually with a protective coating. Especially with wood such as Douglas fir, teak, oak, and scaffolding wood, people often want to retain the natural look. Impregnating Douglas wood is crucial if you want to preserve the natural look of the Douglas wood.
Some examples of wood types with a beautiful grain structure are:
Oakwood: has a coarse grain structure that emphasizes the texture of the wood and is often used in furniture and flooring.
Mahogany: has an even grain and a deep, rich color often used in furniture and decorative items.
Cherry wood: has a warm, red-brown color and a fine, striking grain structure often used in furniture and cabinets.
Maple wood: has a fine, uniform grain structure and a light color that is often used in kitchens and furniture.
Teak wood: has a uniform, straight grain structure and a golden brown color that is often used in garden furniture and boats.
Woodworks
Wood is a natural material that can absorb and lose moisture depending on the humidity due to water molecules in the wood’s cell structure.
When the humidity drops, the water evaporates from the wood, causing the wood fibers to contract and the wood to shrink. When the humidity increases, the wood absorbs water, and the wood fibers expand, causing the wood to expand.
The shrinkage of wood can differ depending on the type of wood, the place of origin, the thickness of the wood, and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.
It is essential to consider these natural shrinking and expansion processes when working with wood to prevent it from cracking or deforming. This can be done by giving the wood enough time to adjust to the environmental conditions before using it and by working and treating the wood properly. By protecting wood with an impregnating agent, the wood “works” less.
Usage
Impregnating wood against moisture and rot is a simple job. The impregnating agent for wood can be applied with a low-pressure sprayer, plant sprayer, or paint roller. Apply the liquid evenly and then allow the impregnating agent to dry. After this, water drops no longer penetrate the wood but remain on the wood.
Nano coating for wood
A nano-coating for wood is a specific impregnating agent in which a thin coating layer is applied to the wood.
The applied nano-coating is often only 10-50 nanometers thick, allowing each fiber to be individually covered with a nano-coating layer.
The applied layer is not a closing covering layer as with paint.
For example, nano coating for wood is often used to impregnate Douglas wood.
Conclusion
Impregnating wood with an impregnating agent or nano-coating is essential to protect wood against weather influences-especially types of wood where the structure and natural appearance must be preserved, such as Douglas wood.
