Reinvention of Ancient Wood Protection Technology

Of late there has been significant interest in the rekindling of time-honoured wood finishes. Many of these surface finishes are experiencing a renaissance in a world where natural materials are increasingly desired. Surprisingly, many of them perform better than modern alternatives.

Iron Vitriol / Iron Sulphate

Iron sulphate has been used for generations as a surface treatment to create the impression of a weathered wooden façade that has turned grey. Iron sulphate reacts with tannins in wood and causes a chemical colouring on the surface of the timber.

Iron sulphate is generally mixed with water and is a colourless liquid that is painted or sprayed onto the sawn face of new wood or wood previously treated with iron sulphate.

Over time, treatment with an iron sulphate solution turns the timbers surface an attractive and lasting brown-grey to silver-grey colour, depending on the species of timber used. The wood should be treated before being installed, as this gives better penetration on the tongues and grooves.

One of the benefits of iron sulphate is that it “self-healing”, generally cracks and damage to wood will be naturally resealed by the stain.

Iron sulphate is low toxicity and generally does not contain volatile organic compounds (VOC’s).

Abodo’s Vulcan is an excellent substrates for iron surface based treatments.

Silicate Treatment

Silicate technology to protect and preserve wood was developed in Germany in the 19th century; old methods can be surprisingly efficient. It has found widespread use in applications such as decking, terracing, and cladding. The surface develops a pleasing silver-grey nuance.

Layers of silicate crystals grow deep in the wood, providing a barrier and a resistive protection against fungus, vermin and microorganisms trying to gain a hold.

Modern versions of silicate based wood coatings now perform better. While older methods relied on large silicate molecules, the ones used in Abodo’s Sioo:x coating are smaller. We have also substituted sodium as a helping agent, for potassium. The advantage of the Sioo:x solution is that it quickly penetrates the wood and combines with it.

Abodo is at the forefront of modernized ancient wood protection techniques.

Contact the Abodo team to discuss finish options.