Exodeck: care for exotic woods, new water-based formula

Outdoors, the warm and beautiful appearance of wooden structures will not last if they are not given the proper care, just like skin with the sun!

Protection and maintenance of exterior wood: why is it a necessity?

Wood is a natural but not inert material that changes over time when exposed to the elements. It was a living material before being cut and retains all its components once processed. These components will continue to evolve and lead to its degradation over the years if left unattended.

As a reminder, why does wood age?

Water: Under the effects of humidity variations, wood swells and shrinks and wears down. It can crack, split, warp, and deform, thus leading to more or less irreparable damage to the structure.

UV rays, on the other hand, attack the lignin, which, as it deteriorates, causes the wood to discolor and turn gray. The fibers are then damaged and the wood weakened.

And what about the exotic ones?

Users are well aware of the hardness and particular resistance of these woods but often underestimate the importance of maintenance and care to make them last.

In general opinion, these hardwoods are special and will simply turn grey over the years, but the intensity and reality of their aging often remains unclear in people's minds.

However, these species, like others, will be subject to the vagaries of weather and UV rays.

Indeed, they are full of oils and nourishing elements, which are the source of their unique qualities, but without care, all these elements will be leached out over time.

Exotic woods will not only turn grey, but will also dry out, get dirty, become grimy, weaken and age.

However hard they may be, these species require special attention because UV rays, wind, humidity, and repeated use of structures (terraces) will take their toll on their resistance.

How can we protect these hard and dense woods?

With their very fine or closed pores, these dense woods do not allow products to penetrate.

Therefore, a product with excellent penetration qualities is needed to counteract this density.

The saturators' response

As their name suggests, their function is to saturate, that is, to impregnate the support until it can no longer absorb any more product.

Once saturated, the work is perfectly protected without an external film, thus limiting the risk of abrasion.

Among wood protection solutions, only saturators are non-film-forming, penetrating deeply. Stains remain on the surface, leaving a film, and oils often cause the wood to become dirty and darken under the effect of UV rays.

It should be noted that on a terrace, stain should not be used, given the tenfold increase in the risk of flaking inherent in the abrasion resulting from frequent foot traffic.

Prescription of pro

Durieu, drawing on its expertise in the protection and maintenance of wood, recommends never neglecting the care given to wooden structures and respecting regular maintenance.

He advises prioritizing saturators and emphasizes the relevance of their tinted versions.

Indeed, the pigments in the darker versions offer additional protection against UV rays.

Expert solution: EXODECK saturator, a new water-based product

Mindful of the challenges of the new millennium, and faithful to their performance requirements, the teams at Groupe Durieu have worked on the formulation of a new wood finish in the Owatrol® range, combining optimal efficiency, bio-based components and acrylic resins.

EXODECK: The next-generation saturator for exotic woods

Impregnate ever more

Thanks to its very high fluidity, EXODECK has excellent impregnation qualities, penetrating quickly and easily deep into the wood.

Nourish and protect

By perfectly impregnating the structure, EXODECK nourishes the wood and helps to preserve its natural nutrients which make it unique.

The work retains all the beauty of its original appearance.

All-weather protection

Its weather resistance, high hydrophobicity and excellent UV protection make it ideal for seaside habitats or structures located in environments with aggressive UV and humidity levels.

And to last even longer, the teak stain enhances UV resistance.