Natural Weathering & Recoating

To prolong the effects of fading, INNOWOOD is supplied factory precoated. However, no matter what kind of coating is used, after years of sunlight and different levels of ultraviolet exposure, the products will still gradually fade to different levels.

If the surface of the INNOWOOD colour begins to show signs of severe discolouration or if there is a desire to change the colour tone then follow the instructions specified in the INNOWOOD Recoating Procedure Guideline, to maintain the colour of the product.

NATURAL WEATHERING

The degree of discoloration of the coating can also be caused by any other reasons, such as the close reflection from a reflective surface like a metal material or glass onto the INNOWOOD surface. Situations such as these can also adversely affect the colour retention performance of INNOWOOD products and can accelerate the change of product colour to varying degrees, like places with severe air pollution, excessive dust accumulation or stains can also affect the durability of the coating.

The weather resistance of precoated products depend on the following factors:

Amount of direct or reflected sunlight
Precipitation, debris, pollution and dust
Wear and tear
Foot traffic for decking.

THE DEGREE OF NATURAL WEATHERING CAN HIGHLY DEPEND ON FACTORS SUCH AS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT UV SUNLIGHT.

RECOATING

If the surface of the INNOWOOD colour begins to show signs of severe discolouration or if there is a desire to change the colour tone then follow the instructions specified in the INNOWOOD Recoating Procedure Guideline, to maintain the colour of the product.

Please bear in mind that quality and performance of recoated product is highly dependent on quality of application. Also it needs to be understood that the recoating will differ from the factory precoat in both colour and finish.

EXAMPLE OF HOW RECOATING CAN REJUVENATE COLOUR GIVEN THE INNOWOOD MATERIAL WILL NOT SPLIT OR CRACK OVER TIME.

The degree of discoloration of the precoated product and the durability of the coating are difficult to measure or cannot be specifically guaranteed, depending on the environment in which the product is installed.

This can be illustrated by the installation of the same material with same coating and the same surface treatment but after a period of time, products exposed to direct sunlight appear to fade faster than products exposed to less sunlight. This is not a product or coating issue but is a natural phenomenon found in all natural materials where the colour is affected to different degrees dependant on the level of direct sunlight.

Similar to natural wood materials, INNOWOOD products will naturally fade over time under the influence of weathering factors such as sunlight and UV. But unlike natural wood, INNOWOOD products will not mould, split or crack.

INNOWOOD products when installed outdoors will gradually fade over time. The degree of fading depends on the intensity of UV and the duration of sunlight exposure.

Generally speaking, the colour will fade gradually, and will turn completely into an off-white and silver-grey tones in about 5-7 years.

In places and areas of high UV intensity, long-term continuous direct sunlight or extreme weather, including being close to reflective sources such as metal roofs and glass walls, the long-term continuous sunlight and reflections will also accelerate product discoloration due to increased heat load. The weathering resistance of the coating will fade faster and may only be 2-4 years before the colour is completely faded.

Due to various outdoor environmental factors, the time required to recoat is difficult to measure. Recoating also depends on the individual’s preference for the degree of natural weathering of the product.

The above guidelines are based on INNOWOOD’s 15 years of experience in Australia’s UV intensity, weather and external environment, and the guideline only applies for the weather resistance of the coating.

(Our warranty does not cover the natural product discolouration or other damage caused by air pollution, exposure to harmful chemicals or natural weathering. For full disclosure/details, please refer to the product warranty in the support section below.)

‘As per the picture above, the Mowbray Apartments exterior cladding was completed over 5 years ago. The difference in discoloration is dependent on the direction of the sunlight. Greater direct sun exposure leads to more greying.’

‘Any cladding which is above a reflective surface requires spacing to heat source and the battens to be installed at maximum 225mm centres for any area of cladding which is within a 1.2m radius of the reflective surface (in any direction).’

‘Please bear in mind that UV and heat reflection from the glazing, glass doors, windows or balustrading will accelerate the natural weathering process. When cladding, decking, screening, shading products are installed in a way that absorbs reflected UV and heat, the colour retention performance of the products will reduce.’

‘When external cladding profiles are installed with an angle greater than 30°, the surface will age more rapidly as a result of the increased solar radiation and the fact that rainwater may pool on the surface.’

It has been 15 years since INNOWOOD’s first major high profile project for the Sydney Wildlife Zoo in 2009. Innowood products have withstood the challenges of hot summers and the environment by the seaside at Darling Harbour. This proves that the Innowood products are both durable and environmentally friendly. The designer of Sydney Wild Life Zoo decided to change Innowood’s colour from the original Weathered Wood to the Red Cedar colour. INNOWOOD is as flexible as natural wood and can be recoated at anytime to a colour of the choice of the designer or individual.

(The Original Finish)

(The Fading After A Several Years)

(Complete Greying)

LOCATED IN DARLING HARBOUR AND COMPLETED IN 2007, WHARF 8 & 9 IS ONE OF SYDNEY'S ICONIC DEVELOPMENTS THAT FEATURES INNOWOOD ON THE TIDAL LINE.
NATURALLY, THE COLOUR HAS TONED DOWN OVER THE LAST 14 YEARS TO CREATE AN EVENED GREYING FINISH BUT THE INNOWOOD MATERIAL CONTINUES TO REMAIN STRUCTURALLY SOUND WITHOUT RECOATING.