TRADA commissioned a new research project looking into the long-term effectiveness of surface treatments on external unfinished timber cladding.
Building on previous work, the project will examine the causes of discolouration in timber cladding, its prevention and remedial treatment.
The use of unfinished wood cladding either as a rainscreen or decorative façade is now commonplace and has gained acceptance with architects and specifiers as a low-cost alternative to conventional masonry.
However its acceptance as a viable long-term alternative cladding material is being undermined by a high incidence of discolouration and in-service staining issues that often result in unsightly disfigurement of entire building façades.
TTL has already conducted a number of field trials in which different remedial treatments have been tested with very encouraging results. However, the time frame of these trials has not allowed any evaluations of their long-term effectiveness over timescales in excess of one year.
The new research is designed to provide longer-term assessment data from the trials that have already been set up. In addition, it will enable trials to be carried out on different species of timber which will include modified wood substrates.
For more information on this project please contact
TRADA commissioned a new research project looking into the long-term effectiveness of surface treatments on external unfinished timber cladding.
