Wednesday, May 8, 2024
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Grey wood cladding is rapidly gaining popularity as a facade choice in urban settings, largely due to its stylish and timeless grey tone. This hue not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of building exteriors but also helps to minimise the maintenance typically needed for such structures. In this blog, we are going to explore two distinct approaches to achieving a stunning grey wood cladding in a sustainable manner using Lunawood ThermoWood®.
Initially, all Lunawood products have a uniform, rich golden-brown colour due to the thermal modification process. However, when left untreated and exposed to enough sunlight and rain, this colour will naturally transition to grey, which is often the preferred aesthetic for exterior cladding. This grey tone is sought after for its elegant and sophisticated appearance on cladding.
In some instances, the process of natural weathering and the time it takes for the wood to achieve this desirable silver-grey can be a concern, especially for projects that are situated in areas with less sunlight. For such scenarios, Lunawood’s pre-surface treated Luna Arctic Layer is the perfect solution, offering an immediate grey finish that is perfect for grey wood cladding, without the wait.
Mastering Grey Cladding with Luna Arctic Layer
When a project demands the sophisticated look of grey wood cladding without the wait, pre-surface treated grey cladding becomes the ideal choice.
Lunawood’s Luna Arctic Layer, a thermally modified grey cladding crafted from Nordic Spruce, is ideal for use in any climate. This shiplap cladding boasts a brushed surface treated with a unique silver-grey coating that naturally fades on sun-exposed parts but remains on more protected areas, ensuring a consistent and attractive appearance. The beauty of this product is its low maintenance requirement, making it a practical choice for durable building exteriors.
The Luna Arctic Layer showcases the beauty and authenticity of natural wood with its brushed surface that elegantly highlights the wood grain. This grey wood cladding’s modern, straight edges create subtle shadows between panels, adding depth and character to the facade. Available in two widths, 142 mm and 188 mm, Luna Arctic Layer enhances outdoor aesthetics and is also perfectly suited for indoor applications. This allows for the use of the exact same grey product from the outside to the inside, ensuring a uniform flow.
Naturally Weathered Grey Cladding
As a result of the thermal modification process, Lunawood products exhibit a uniform “baked” golden brown colour when new. This brown colour gradually turns grey when left untreated outdoors, influenced by UV radiation and rain. It is good to remember that even after turning grey, Lunawood ThermoWood® maintains its excellent technical properties. For exterior applications, this naturally weathered grey cladding does not necessarily require additional surface treatment, which simplifies maintenance and is cost-effective.
Factors causing the greying of wood include:
Sunlight: UV radiation has the most significant effect on wood color, breaking down the lignin and causing greying.
Moisture: Air moisture accelerates greying. The most pronounced greying occurs in environments where the wood is cyclically exposed to UV radiation and rain.
Soil Properties: The chemical composition of soil, such as calcium content, can change the acidity of the cell fluid and thus affect wood colour.
Fungi: Chromocenic fungi can alter the wood colour.
Air Impurities: Metal ions and other impurities in the air can lead to wood discoloration.
As mentioned, both untreated and thermally modified wood turn grey due to natural phenomena such as the sun’s UV rays and rainfall, which discolour the surface layer of the wood, creating a unique shade not achievable through painting. However, greying is a gradual process, and not all wood species grey uniformly. Additionally, the same wood species may grey differently on different parts of the same building and under different climatic conditions. For instance in European countries, solar radiation can cause a south-facing façade to degrade more than twice as quickly as other sides of the building.
What are the benefits of opting for Grey Wood Cladding?
Choosing grey wood cladding, such as Lunawood’s solutions, offers a versatile and aesthetically pleasing option for building exteriors. The decision to use grey cladding on a house is influenced by several factors, including aesthetic preferences, cultural influences, material compatibility, and environmental conditions.
Aesthetic reasons: The grey tone can complement the architectural design, enhancing the facade’s features.
Durability: Naturally weathered Lunawood Thermowood Cladding as well as pre-treated Luna Arctic Layer cladding are durable in all climates and easy to maintain. As a result of the thermal modification process, these solutions are also dimensionally stable and don’t necessarily require surface treatments.
Sustainability: Lunawood Thermowood cladding is free from toxins and is produced in Finland from PEFC-certified Finnish forests, ensuring a small carbon footprint (Lunawood EPD). The surface treatment of Luna Arctic Layer is not harmful at all, so it is also suitable for indoor use.
Other material choices: Grey is a neutral color that pairs well with other materials, such as concrete, glass and steel, allowing for a harmonious design scheme.
Environmental suitability: Grey can blend well into the urban surroundings as well as natural environments.
The choice of colour and materials in architecture significantly shapes a building’s aesthetics and ambiance, influencing how people perceive and interact with the space. These elements can vary widely among buildings, designers, and cultural contexts, affecting both the visual impact and the emotional response of those who enter these environments.
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Tags: surfaces, sustainability, ThermoWood®, wood, wood and panel, wood cladding, woodworking, woodworking industry
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