Proper, routine maintenance which utilises the best available coating system and products can significantly extend the service life of timber in built environments. As a brand, this goal – to prolong the service life of timber and reduce the number of trees requiring felling – is a key motivator behind our work. As such, CUTEK® worked to offer a high-quality wood preservative product, submitting several formulas for an external above-ground timber preservative product. Each formula was required to undergo vigorous testing including a biological challenge against several organisms which degrade timber, including various species of fungi and termites.

In order to ensure true and accurate results, a sample of timber coated with CUTEK® Wood Preservative formula was compared to two other timber samples – controlled samples – to determine its performance: one untreated piece of timber and a piece treated with the industry-standard wood preservative. These samples were subject to various weathering timeframes including: no weathering, six-months weathering, nine-months weathering and 12-months weathering. The intent of this was to induce preservative leaching, natural extractive leaching, timber UV degradation, and degradation due to moisture movement as natural timber degradation increases how susceptible the timber is to biological attack.

Data gained during the weathering process proved CUTEK® Wood Preservative’s ability to prolong timber’s longevity compared to the industry standard, due to its low product-leaching properties. Following the 12-month weathering process, each sample was subject to fungi and termite testing to further measure and test CUTEK® Wood Preservative’s performance.

Trial 1: Termites

Termites are able to cause significant damage to timber structures. Despite this, there are many ways to mitigate this damage including reducing the timbers moisture content, minimising ground contact, using dense hardwoods as opposed to softwoods, and applying chemical hazard treatments (H2, H3). However, not all mitigating options are suitable for all projects. The nature of the structure itself, the type of hardwood selected and its ability to be treated, cost and availability of certain timber types are all deciding factors as to how timber structures may be protected against termites.

The testing CUTEK® Wood Preservative underwent to determine its ability to protect against termite deterioration was measured by the mass of timber which was lost upon exposure to timber destroying termites (Coptotermes acinaciformis). This was compared to industry standard treated timber and untreated timber samples. All samples were subject to heavy termite exposure.

As demonstrated by the table below, CUTEK® Wood Preservative performed impressively against the industry standard and untreated timber after 12 months of exposure to termites and weathering.

The industry standard treated timber retained 39.6% of its original weight and the untreated timber retained 1.6% of its original weight. In contrast, the CUTEK® Wood Preservative treated timber retained 58.9% of its original weight, performing significantly better than the industry standard. Additionally, as the protection abilities of CUTEK® Wood Preservative can be maintained with subsequent coats, timber coated with CUTEK® Wood Preservative can be expected to have an extended service life.

Trial 2: Fungus

Various species of fungus also cause significant damage to timber structures. One of the most common and easily seen types of damaging fungi is rot. Wood rotting fungi thrive in moist, dark environments such as in timber sheds or on decks and boardwalks, which receive little to no sunlight. Although there are many tactics used to combat rot damage, addressing the root cause prior to its appearance continues to be one of the best options available.

To prove CUTEK® Wood Preservative’s ability to mitigate fungi issues, it underwent thorough testing to ensure it could provide the protection required. CUTEK® Wood Preservative was tested against five different species of wood-destroying fungi, and across all five species, performed better than the industry standard as shown below.

Following 12 months of weathering, the industry standard treatment provided little protection against this species of fungus as the retained mass was very similar. In contrast, the CUTEK® Wood Preservative treated timber was able to perform significantly better due to two key factors: its active ingredient is effective against this type of biological attack and CUTEK® Wood Preservative oil minimises the timber’s uptake of moisture.

Conclusion

When venturing into new territory, there is always a question of success which necessitates thorough testing. Based on a series of tests and scientific comparisons, CUTEK® Wood Preservative became a proven performer against several species of wood destroying organisms, as demonstrated be the below graph.

This proves that CUTEK® Wood Preservative not only protects timber in the short-term but outperforms alternate products long-term. Because of these indisputable results, CUTEK® Wood Preservative was able to be registered with Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) as a wood preservative and is now available as part of the core CUTEK® oils range.

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The Difference Between Decking Oil and Water-Based Deck Coatings

There is a clear difference between decking oils and water-based deck coatings – a decking oil works by penetrating the surface of the timber, whereas a water-based coating will form a protective film on the surface.

Why choose a timber oil?

Many traditional wood coatings work by forming a protective film to block moisture from entering the timber substrate. The finish can be stunning, with rich colour and gloss or sheen finishes available. Maintenance coats will add another film layer over the timber, which will hide the natural texture, grain and colour of the wood. Over time, weather exposure will breakdown this film and, if regular maintenance is neglected, the coating will flake, peel or crack allowing damaging moisture to enter the wood.

Most timber decking oils work by penetrating into the timber to repel moisture from the inside out and will generally take longer to dry than water-based products. This is because, instead of drying when exposed to air, like paint, timber oils ‘dry’ by penetrating and absorbing into the wood. Penetration times can vary depending on the density, condition and species of the timber as well as environmental factors. Timber oil also offers a more natural matte finish that does not mask the grain, texture and colour. Maintenance is generally easy; simply clean and recoat.

Not all oils are the same, and not all oils will penetrate deeply into timber. Water-based oils will form a film on the surface, and some timber oils will contain plant-based oils, such as linseed or tung, which are drying oils; they will soak into the surface of the timber and then harden to form a barrier. Very few oils actually penetrate deeply into the timber, as CUTEK® does.

The CUTEK® solution

Designed for and proven to work in the harshest of Australian environments, CUTEK® exterior timber oils truly penetrate and diffuse deeply into the wood core to protect it against liquid and gas-phase moisture. A core design feature of CUTEK® oil is its ability to stay mobile within the timber, actively working to displace and control moisture from the inside out, significantly improving dimensional stability and providing exceptional long-term protection. Additional maintenance coats throughout the timber’s life will have an accumulative effect, increasing the efficacy of the protection.

CUTEK® oils also celebrate timber. The natural grain and texture of the wood is maintained and highlighted, not masked over, making timber the hero of your home project. Applied as a clear oil, CUTEK® will allow your timber to naturally lighten and silver when exposed to the sun’s UV rays. If you would like to retain the natural, freshly oiled look of your timber, or you would like to alter the colour to meet design requirements, a CUTEK® Colourtone can be added to CUTEK® oils. Because CUTEK® diffuses deeply into the wood, it will continue to provide moisture protection and improve dimensional stability even if the timber is allowed to weather and grey off.  

Which CUTEK® exterior decking oil is right for your project?

CUTEK® offers two market leading solutions to protect exterior timber and decks:  

CUTEK® Extreme CD50

A high-performance penetrating oil-based wood stabiliser with a unique self-healing effect that highlights the natural beauty of wood and controls moisture to improve dimensional stability and minimise cupping, warping and splitting.

CUTEK® Wood Preservative (APVMA Approval No 83026/107340)

An oil-based wood stabiliser used for the pre-treatment and remedial treatment of exterior wood in industrial and domestic situations. CUTEK® Wood Preservative coated wood resists damage caused by fungal decay, mould, termites and controls moisture to improve dimensional stability and minimise cupping, warping and splitting.

Maintenance with CUTEK® exterior timber oils is simple, easy and cost effective. Simply clean and recoat – no need to sand or strip.

If you would like to find out more about how CUTEK® oils are the best option for your timber deck, we’d love to talk to you, your architect or builder about how CUTEK^® can be used to maintain the beauty of your timber and powerfully protect it. Call 1300 CUTEK or send us a message to find out more.

The post What is the best decking oil for your project? appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

Introducing CUTEK® Wood Preservative for the pre-treatment and remedial treatment of exterior wood in industrial and domestic environments.

When used, the coated wood resists damage caused by fungal decay, mould and termites, and is protected from moisture, improving dimensional stability and minimising warping, cupping and splitting.

Use CUTEK® Wood Preservative on its own as a clear oil that will fade in the sun to natural silver patina, or mix it with any of our 16 colourtones to enhance and retain the freshly oiled look of your timber.

CUTEK® Wood Preservative will gradually fade over time rather than peel, split or crack, so the rejuvenation of timber coated with CUTEK® Wood Preservative is a simple, fast, and cost effective process.

CUTEK® Wood Preservative is able to be used on natural, and engineered and modified timber – some applications include boardwalks, fencing, pergolas, decks, railings, weatherboards, log homes, joinery, shingles and large council/government projects. It is not suitable for use on acetylated wood.

It’s designed to be used only on above-ground,wood structures or components of.

Download the fact sheet or ask us for advice on how to use CUTEK® Wood Preservative as effective timber protection.

The post Introducing: CUTEK® Wood Preservative appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

Follow these 3 insider tips for installing long-lasting timber.

1. Use professional wood cleaning products

Surface preparation is essential to enable oils to diffuse deeply into the timber and achieve long-lasting results. Anything that is likely to prevent penetration must be removed with a professional grade wood restoration product.

New and pre-treated wood may be ready for oil without preparation. However, timber that is pre-treated with other oils or is significantly weathered will require thorough cleaning first with CUTEK® Restore, the natural wood cleaner

If stripping is required to remove any previous film or coating, CUTEK® Wood Stripper will do the job. This process can be followed by a treatment with CUTEK® Restore.

Seal and protect the timber

Using CUTEK® Wood Preservative wood treatment oil will give strong resistance to damage caused by moisture, fungal decay, mould and termites.

CUTEK®’s Extreme CD50 oil gives long-term protection from the effects of moisture, minimises warping, cupping and splitting, ensuring that exterior wood (even in extreme climates) lasts longer. The high protection wood oil works to control moisture from the inside out.

Use a colourtone

CUTEK® oils enhance the colour of the timber. Mixing a colourtone into CUTEK® oils before use will ensure the wood finish will lighten or silver off less over time.

CUTEK®’s 16 colourtones are wood stains that have been specifically developed to closely match popular wood species. Selecting a Colourtone close to the natural shade of the timber species will give the most enduring result.

Follow these professional steps to ensure that timber installations are protected from the inside out to endure the elements and stand the test of time.

Call us to discuss how CUTEK®’s range of high quality products can help you to ensure that your timber looks great and is long lasting.

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