Natural weathering of timber

Beauty that stands the test of time...

The word 'weathering' is the general term used to define the slow change of materials exposed to the weather. The degradation mechanism depends on the type of material. For timber, the weathering is the breakdown of the exposed surfaces due to action of sunlight, rain, wind, dew, frost and airbourne pollution.

Weathering is a process distinct from decay (also called rot) which is caused by fungi. Weathering initially means that dark colours become paler through leaching and bleaching and pale colours darken because of oxidation. Eventually all exposed timber surfaces become grey. The surface may appear dirty or blotchy in situations favouring fungal organisms, but in dry or coastal climates an attractive silvery grey usually results.

Weathering is a natural process and all materials, either natural or man-made are subject to changes and must be cleaned and maintained over time.

'Verda Outdoor' products weather over the course of their life. Our unique, patented, infusion coating technology is designed to mitigate these occurrences but as a natural wood product, some surface discoloration or mould and mildew may occur, due to environmental conditions and exposure.

Verda has introduced an 'Antique Grey' finish to its range in order to mimic the character and natural silver grey patina of weathered grey wood.

The photos right show the natural weathering of our products. Now, you can decide which look and finish you would prefer to enjoy for years to come.

New	18 Months Old
		Honey Gold: is coated with a semitransparent oiled based timber stain, which provides additional golden colour to the timber.
		Antique Grey: product is coated with a semi-transparent oiled based timber stain, which provides additional grey colour to the timber.
		Natural Amber: product is coated with a natural plant oil, which allows the timber to weather while retaining Verda's performance attributes.

 

Care and maintenance of decking and ther timber products

After a new timber deck has been built, or an existing deck repaired, thoroughly sweep and clean to remove metal filings from drilling, nailing or other construction that may cause black spots on the deck when exposed to the elements.

Note: supplied with the product. We recommend the use of stainless steel fixings.

In order to keep a timber deck looking like a new deck, it must be kept clean and well maintained.

The deck must be regularly maintained as it may become discoloured or affected by moisture and weather.

To clean the deck, sweep off any loose dirt or garden residue and then clean the deck with a specialised deck cleaning product. It is important to not only remove dirt, but any algae or moss that may be growing or landing on the deck.

If you want your decking to look like new, once cleaned, reseal the deck with an oil based stain or oil, depending on aesthetic preference. Drying times are dependent on the type of finish so check manufacturer's recommendations before walking on a newly finished deck. Apply and re-apply decking finish as per manufacturer's recommendations. For installation, please refer to instructions

If the deck has turned grey from natural weathering or is discoloured, a rejuvenating timber product can be applied to restore it to its natural appearance. Use with care and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

We supply a range of accessories for installation and maintenance of timber. Available in New Zealand and Australia.

Screws: for durability, performance and easy installation. More information available on our website www.verda.co.nz Range of high quality stainless steel screws

Timber Coating Maintenance: penetrating wood coating used to protect and colour the timber. Available in 1L and 4L cans. Available in Honey Gold, Antique Grey and Natural Amber finishes.

 

Wood and product performance

Many people ask about the main differences between the different wood species. The chart below is a comparison that highlights the main characteristics of timber. It is intended as a guide of general properties and there may be specific products or species within the categories which differ.