wood cladding extension façade

For facades and terraces, wood is an extremely popular material. Despite the changing appearance of wood, it remains trendy, authentic, warm, noble and healthy. Wood dresses up exteriors, giving them a neat, aesthetic appearance. Whether you're looking to renovate or create a cosy terrace, the variety of wood species opens up a wealth of architectural possibilities.

It allows you to create personalised exteriors to suit different styles and regions.  Wood becomes a formidable source of inspiration. Despite all these advantages, wood is alive.

Wood cladding for natural greying

This means that it will change over time if left unprotected. The sun's rays and rain cause photochemical and physical reactions that modify the chemical composition of the wood's surface, resulting in variations in shade depending on the species, climatic conditions and geographical location.

For both cladding and decking, the changing appearance of wood can lead not only to aesthetic problems, but also to malfunctions: less resistance to the vagaries of the weather, and the appearance of mould and fungi. The result: a facade or terrace that looks dirty. However, the greying of wood is not inevitable. Exterior wood requires protection and maintenance to preserve its original appearance.

Changing the appearance of wood cladding: solutions for even greying

The maintenance of a façade or terrace depends on the type of wood chosen. Some species are naturally durable and rot-proof, offering greater stability and durability over time. However, if they are not protected with a saturator, they will age and take on a natural greyish tinge for an authentic appearance. Without protection, under the action of UV rays, rain and other external agents, the appearance of the wood changes. In fact, wood develops a patina without altering or deteriorating. Substantial roof overhangs can protect facades and retain the original colour of the wood.

However, this change in colour does not always occur regularly, depending on the exposure of the facades. For example, cladding on a north-east façade will retain the colour of the original wood for longer than cladding facing south-west.  However, to be aesthetically pleasing, the greying of the wood must be uniform. To control the change in appearance, you need to comply with certain installation and application rules that comply with the DTU standard, to avoid water stagnation and momentary rising damp. The absence of relief, vertical installation and anticipation with a grey saturator favour uniform change.

Colour with saturated finishes

For both cladding and decking, the choice of a coloured coating is the best way to deal with this problem. Saturator finishes deeply nourish the wood fibres, giving it optimum, long-lasting protection. Whether light or dark, saturators preserve the original nuances of the wood, whether it's a wood with bright notes or one with a more rustic finish.

In addition, tinted finishes help to avoid greying. To preserve the brilliance of the colours, annual cleaning with a brush and water or a cleaning product will ensure that the cladding lasts and looks good. The various finishes, paints, saturators, etc. can be used to control changes in the appearance of the wood, providing a long-lasting finish (5 to 10 years) depending on the quality of the product used. Combining natural and coloured facings also helps to control changes in appearance.

By using exterior wood products with protection and finishing, you can control the ageing process of the wood and retain its original "spirit". In this way, you avoid changing the appearance of the wood.