Varieties of paints for the terrace and how to choose, the order of application
Paint (varnish, impregnation) for wood or decking is applied at the finishing stage to protect against weather and biological degradation. Manufacturers of paints and varnishes produce special products for the exterior. Paints (impregnations, varnishes) should protect the wood from moisture, insects and mold, pass steam and not crack under the effect of sudden temperature changes.
Requirements for the coloring composition
For painting parquet on a terrace or veranda, it is recommended to purchase paints and varnishes with high wear resistance, fire safety and non-toxic composition. These products can be transparent, translucent or have a certain color.
Adverse factors against which paint materials must protect themselves:
- weather (rain, snow, temperature drops, frost, wind, ultraviolet light, glaciation);
- biological (insects, molds, fungi, rodents);
- mechanical (scratches, cracks, chips, potholes).
It is important to remember that if the decking boards are left untreated and not coated with varnish or paint, over time they will become gray, cracked, swollen or begin to rot.In addition, dry wood ignites quickly. Untreated wood damages beetles and other insects.
The tree, first of all, must be protected from the ingress of moisture, due to which the fibers swell and collapse. The best, but expensive paint materials for the deck are considered yacht varnish, deck oil, rubber paint, wood stain.
Varieties suitable for a wooden deck
Manufacturers produce many paint materials for painting decks. These formulations are specially designed for outdoor use. All deck paints or varnishes have the main feature of protecting the wood from moisture.
yacht varnish
They try not to use varnish for exterior work. Such paint does not withstand even two years, it quickly cracks and peels off. Another thing is yacht polish. This paint material is specially designed for use in high humidity conditions. Deck varnish (depending on the composition) is of several types: alkyd, alkyd-urethane, urethane-alkyd, acrylate, polyurethane with acrylic. Alkyd-urethane paints and varnishes are the most wear-resistant, elastic and durable.
Forms a more durable coating than oil paints. Enamel contains varnish, solvent, pigment, fillers and additives.There are different types (depending on the constituents): alkyd, oil, epoxy, organosilicon, polyacrylic, nitrocellulose. The most common are alkyds.Polyurethane - more durable, but expensive. The most waterproof are epoxy.
Terrace oil
These paints and varnishes based on resins and oils can be used to paint terrace floors, garden parquet floors and all boards exposed to adverse weather conditions for a long period of time. The oil can be applied to horizontal and vertical surfaces.
To protect the terrace, various paints and varnishes are made using water or solvents. The most common: oil with natural wax, with dyes, with antibacterial additives, oil composition with anti-slip effect.
Impregnation
Such paint materials extend the life of the decking. Types of impregnations: functional (antiseptic, from rotting, to improve frost resistance, acid flame retardants) and decorative (water-based acrylic, oil-based, alkyd-based, silicone, bituminous). There are certain rules for their application.
The functional ones are used before the decorative ones.After impregnating the wood with a water-based antiseptic on the surface of the wood after drying, it is advisable to walk with fine-grained sandpaper. The decorative can be transparent, tinted and colored. Most impregnations have a complex composition, that is, they contain antiseptics and give the boards the desired shade.
Chlorinated rubber paint
It is a composition based on synthetic resins and chlorinated rubber. It is even used to paint swimming pools. Has increased moisture resistance properties.
How to choose the right paint
Paints and varnishes are chosen according to the type of floor covering and the degree of exposure to bad weather (open or closed verandas). To paint the deck, choose a special paint, oil or varnish for exterior woodwork. Each type of product has its own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, varnish creates a strong but airtight film. The enamels smell too strong. Decking oil allows the wood to breathe and is absorbed into the interior. Impregnation protects the wood from rotting, fire and improves its decorative appearance.The rubber paint is very waterproof.
Preparatory work
It is recommended to prep deck boards before painting or varnishing. A healthy tree, if necessary, is polished and cleaned of dust. Warm up with a hair dryer, then wipe off tar stains with a cellulose or ammonia-based solvent. If there are fungal infections, rot, all problem areas are cleaned, sanded and coated with wood filler. If there is old varnish or paint, remove the cracked coating with a spatula and grind with sandpaper or a medium-grit disc. Decking boards are degreased with nitro solvent.
After this procedure, the wood is impregnated with antiseptics and flame retardants, left to dry and sanded with fine-grained sandpaper or an abrasive disc. In addition, the processing of decking boards with protective materials should be carried out on both sides. Before applying varnish, paint or decorative impregnation to the surface, you need to wait until the terrace floor is completely dry.
Coloring order
It is recommended to paint the floor of the terrace in dry (no rain) and hot weather, at an air temperature of +10 degrees Celsius and above. The coloring composition is diluted with a solvent or water, pigments are added and mixed immediately before coloring. You need to work the paint quickly. Apply varnish or paint to the floor using a roller, a flat brush, for some formulations it is allowed to use a spray gun.
It is necessary to paint the decking boards along the fibers, with smooth and rhythmic movements. The wood must be well dried before painting.It is forbidden to paint wet decking boards. Painting materials are usually applied in 2-3 layers. Too much paint should not be applied to the surface, otherwise the coating will crack during operation.
Before applying the next layer, you need to wait a few hours for the paint to dry completely. How to work with paint and how long to wait, manufacturers usually write on the label or in the instructions for their products.
Completion of work
Painted decking boards must be dried thoroughly. After painting, the wood must be protected from moisture and dust for at least 24 hours. It is advisable to expose the terrace to mechanical stress one week after staining.
If decorative impregnation and varnish are used, the terrace boards are first painted, impregnated, and then, after complete drying, the surface is varnished.
Additional tips and tricks
To protect the terrace from adverse weather conditions, it is recommended to carry out the correct laying of the floor. The boards should be laid at an angle, leaving a gap of 3-5 mm between them. This method of installation will prevent stagnation and accumulation of water on the surface and protect the wooden floor from rotting and destruction.
The tree should also be isolated from contact with the ground, that is, build a stone or brick base. Decking boards are protected on both sides and painted on the outside only. After painting, it is recommended to protect the surface from moisture and dust for 24 hours.