Coating Performance on Exterior Oil-Heat Treated Wood

Thermal modification and the degree of improved properties from the treatment depend on wood species and treatment parameters. Southern yellow pine and spruce are two wood species commonly used for decking, fences, and siding in North America. This study evaluated coating performance when applied on oil-heat-treated Southern pine and spruce wood samples. Moisture content, color, and gloss changes of samples were analyzed before weathering and then after each month for the first three months and then every six months during 18 months of natural weathering exposure in Toronto, Canada. The results showed that coated heat-treated woods had lower moisture uptake, lower color change, and overall better appearance ranking than coated-untreated wood samples. Coated-spruce wood samples had lower checking and splitting, and in general, much better performance than coated-Southern pine treated samples. Notably, the average moisture content of treated spruce wood samples was significantly lower than that of Southern pine, which explains lower checking and improved coatings’ appearance