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FAQ'S ABOUT WOOD

If you have questions about wood, please check out the FAQ's below. In this section, you can find information on different wood species

Should you treat teak (hardwood) with a preservative?

No. Teak and some other hardwoods contain natural, protective ingredients against rot and fungi in the wood itself, and it is not necessary to treat with a wood preservative.

What is the difference beween softwood and hardwood?

Softwood is characterized by normally being a light colour. It can expand considerably. Softwood normally requires pretreatment with a preservative. Some hardwoods only require preservative treatment, if there is a risk of termite attacks. The durability of hardwood is much longer than softwood, and the prices of the wood species
also reflect this.

What is Accoya®?

Accoya® is a tradename for the fast-growing Monterey Fir (Pinus Radiata). Accoya® is unique, because it has undergone a non-toxic treatment, which improves its characteristics substantially. The treatment is called aceylation. The principle is to add another agent, in order to block the water-binding alcohol groups in the
wood. The added agent is typically acetic acid, which is added at 100-200°C. The scientific explanation is rather complicated, so the simplest way of explaining it is that the softwood is subjected to a vinegar, which turns it into hardwood by preventing the cells in the wood from being able to absorb water. In reality the ’vinegar’ is is acetic anhydride and it attaches itself to the wood’s hydroxyl groups, where otherwise the water would have been absorbed.. Preservative treatment of Accoya® is only necessary, when there is a risk of termite attacks.
After the treatment the density of the wood is increased by 8%. According to the manufacturer, the wood has become as resistant to fungal attacks as teak, and as dimensionally stable, so that you now have a completely stable material. The wood has a guaranteed durability of 50 years above ground and 25 years in the ground. Accoya® should be treated as ordinary spruce.

What is composite?

Composite comes from latin: »componere«. Composite materials are created, when two or more materials are combined. Composite boards may consist of 60% wood, 30% plastic and 10% binding agent. You can use both water- and solvent based products on composite. Do not use preservatives. Depending on the quality, Composite has a tendency to bend or twist, and treatment with a PPG product cannot solve this problem.

Can the wood be in direct contact with the ground?

Yes. But only if recommended for this purpose. Examples of this use are Robinie, pressure impregnated wood NTR-A. None of our products are recommended for use on wood in contact with the ground.

How do I treat bamboo?

Bamboo has a very hard surface. This means that the products have difficulty in penetrating the surface and thereby obtain adhesion. After carrying out several tests, we recommend a thin product.