Technology: Coatings for Wood in Exterior Use
In modern timber architecture, architects often employ wood that is free of coatings - and, consequently, will quickly turn grey. One reason is to conserve resources and protect the environment by doing without chemical coatings on the wood. Untreated wood facades became common long enough ago that it can now be claimed that when a facade is detailed and executed well, the wood will be durable. This trend raises two important questions. Are coatings on wood in exterior applications ever necessary, and which purpose do they fulfil? The answers require us to distinguish among the various ways wood is employed. This article delineates the functions of wood coatings for these respective applications.
