Why wood?
From habitat plus - wood stains
No piece of timber is the same. Each plank has a different grain and unique knots, which tell the story of the tree from which it was harvested. No other building material can tell the same tale through its natural texture, appearance and smell.
Create a minimal Scandi look by finishing plywood-lined walls with Resene Colorwood Whitewash topcoated in Resene Aquaclear urethane. The subtle wood grain of the plywood will show through, creating visual texture. Vanity in Resene Colins Wicket, vases and ornaments in Resene Influential (try Resene Stinger), Resene Smoothie (try Resene Miso) and Resene Rococo (try Resene Gimblet) and straw wall hanging in Resene Swiss Caramel (try Resene Rusty Nail).
The Resene woodcare range of wood stains, including Resene Woodsman for outdoor timber and Resene Colorwood for interiors, protects timber while also retaining and enhancing the natural beauty of wood. Non film-forming wood stains soak into the timber rather than coating the surface like paint, highlighting the beautiful grains of wood and retaining the fibrous texture.
Wooden cladding on exteriors and interiors gives homes character and reminds us of our connection to the natural world. As our lives become busier and increasingly digitised, it’s no wonder we crave the calming qualities of the outdoors. For this reason, wood has been popular in architecture and interior design. But even nature needs a helping hand. Wood is prone to UV damage, particularly in Australia and New Zealand; our clear skies and temperate weather cycles means it needs extra care. Protecting timber with wood stains from the Resene Woodsman and Resene Colorwood range helps timber to keep looking its best and allows for it to be rejuvenated and refreshed later.
Wood stains protect timber by
- Preventing UV damage.
- Weatherproofing the timber.
- Preventing damage from mould, fungi and bacteria.
Greener buildings
Wood is not only beautiful, but ethically harvested timber is considered a very sustainable building material. Wood is a renewable resource, and during the growing process, trees capture carbon dioxide from the environment in a process called carbon sequestration. Timber is a durable and adaptable building material that, if protected correctly, has a long lifespan. Resene’s range of woodcare products, including Resene Woodsman for outdoor timber and Resene Colorwood for interiors, includes many Environmental Choice approved options with low volatile organic compounds (VOC).
Architectural designer Fraser Gillies channelled the style of luxury Pacific Island resorts with his wooden bathroom design. To use wood in the wet areas around the shower, timber slats were stained on all four sides in Resene Colorwood Mahogany and finished in three coats of protective Resene Aquaclear. The slats were placed over the top of waterproof sheeting painted in Resene All Black. The white walls in Resene Black White and vanity doors in Resene Black Sheep (try Resene Grey Friars) continue the spa-inspired style.
Even a simple pine deck can be transformed when stained with Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain. Deck stained in Resene Uluru and back wall in Resene Aspiring with paint effect in Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Moon Mist. Right wall, breeze blocks and vase in Resene Moon Mist and bench seat in Resene Aspiring. Table and large plant pot in Resene Teak, small plant pot in Resene Siam and tray in Resene Flax.
Wood stains 101
Stains are semi-transparent finishes designed to colour and protect interior and exterior timber.
For interior projects, a wood stain finish is usually used with a clear timber finish for protection. Clear finishes are not required and should not be used over exterior stains.
Stains may be:
- Penetrating – these stains are absorbed into the timber.
- Film-forming – these stains sit on top of the timber like paint does but with a lighter appearance (more translucent) than paint.
