By Amy Hanlon
Timber weathering happens when wood is exposed to the elements over time.
While different species of wood weather differently, the most obvious consequence of weathering is colour change.
Depending on the type of timber used, new timber is usually a golden, reddish or brown colour. Regardless of species, all timber weathers to a silvery grey colour when it’s been outside for a few years.
Why does timber weathering happen?
Anything that’s outside is exposed to sunlight, water and air. All of these factors contribute to timber weathering.
How does sunlight affect timber?
The UV rays in sunlight slowly break down the natural components of timber. Just like your skin when you get a sun tan, these UV rays cause damage to the outer layer of the timber. This damage is one of the causes of timber weathering.
How does water affect timber?
While sunlight degrades the surface of timber, water from rainfall helps wash this layer away, speeding up the process of timber weathering.
For coastal buildings, this happens even faster, because the tiny particles of salt in the air are abrasive. The sunburnt skin of your timber gets an added scrub, exposing the silvery-grey layer underneath.
How does air affect timber?
Oxidisation is a chemical reaction caused by oxygen in the air that also breaks down the outer surface of timber. Oxidisation affects pretty much everything – it causes rust in iron, weathering in timber and ageing in humans!
What does weathered timber look like?
Take a look at the fences here in our Show Area:
You can see that one section of the fence is a golden-yellow colour. The other section is a silvery-grey colour. The grey section is older and has been exposed to sunlight, water and air for longer than the yellow section.
The newer, yellow section is around one year old. The older, grey section is several years old. Eventually, both sections will be the same colour as the yellow section experiences more timber weathering.
Does weathering happen in treated timber?
In our Garden Rooms and Garages, the outer layer of timber cladding is treated to protect the wood from shape changes and rot.
Our Radiata Garden Rooms have ThermoWood cladding treated with heat and steam. Our Blackstone Garden Rooms and Garages have pressure-treated cladding.
While these treatment methods ensure strong, durable timber that’s well-protected from moisture damage, they don’t prevent timber weathering.
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How can I prevent timber weathering?
The best prevention against timber weathering is paint.
All our single-skinned sheds are guaranteed for 30 years – if you paint them regularly with Sadolin!
This crucial aftercare step protects the timber cladding of your shed from weathering. It also helps prevent water ingress in single-skinned buildings
Painting timber is like putting a coat on to protect your skin from the sun. Covering the wood in a layer of paint limits the amount of sunlight, water and air that comes in contact with it.
If you prefer a natural wood finish we recommend Osmo UV Protection Oil. However, because this oil is translucent rather than a solid colour, you will have to reapply it more often to prevent weathering.
Is weathered timber damaged?
Technically speaking, weathering is a type of damage caused by exposure to sunlight, water and air. However, it’s not a cause for alarm. If you don’t want your timber building to weather it’s easily preventable.
Many people opt for timber weathering, as they prefer the silvery-grey colour that results.
However, a single layer of timber cladding should not be left to weather. An unpainted shed, for example, will quickly experience water ingress.
If timber cladding is the outer layer of several layers, then whether to weather or not to weather is entirely an aesthetic choice.
Can I reverse the effects of timber weathering?
While it’s easy to prevent weathering, once it happens it’s not reversible. It is possible to stain weathered timber, but this won’t restore the original colour.
So make sure that weathering is a conscious choice rather than an unfortunate side-effect.
What is timber weathering?
If you don’t want your garden building to weather commit to painting or coating it according to its aftercare instructions.
And if you love the silver tones of naturally weathered timber, sit back and let time do its thing!
If you still have questions about timber garden buildings, head to our Learning Centre. You’ll find plenty of information on choosing your perfect garage, garden room, shed or summerhouse, as well as tons of great aftercare advice.
