Most owners of balconies for finishing this room choose a lining. It attracts with excellent performance and spectacular appearance. However, even such a practical and versatile material, under the influence of natural factors, can lose its aesthetics and functionality. To prevent this from happening, even at the stage of finishing the loggia, it is necessary to perform protective processing of wood. But with what to cover the lining on the balcony and what rules should be followed in the process of work, we will consider in this article.
The main reasons why it is necessary to process wooden finishing material
The balcony space is characterized by a changeable microclimate. Sudden changes in temperature, direct sunlight, dampness - all this inevitably has a negative effect on natural material.
Increased humidity leads to blueing and deformation of the wood, as well as the formation of mold fungi. With prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays, the lining (wooden) cracks and can even catch fire. Do not forget about small pests, such as bugs, spiders and other insects. Microorganisms, settling in wooden walls, turn solid boards into a pile of dust and sawdust. That is why the question of how to cover the lining in order to ensure its long-term safety excites many lovers of environmentally friendly materials.
Types of protective coatings
On the modern construction market, many chemical compositions are presented that protect the wooden cladding from external influences. These include: varnishes, paints, antiseptics and flame retardants. The choice of the best option depends on its characteristics and the financial ability of the buyer. In addition, each composition has certain positive and negative qualities. After reviewing them, you can find the right answer to the question of how to cover a wooden lining on the balcony.
Lucky
As the basis of the varnish coating can be various components. The functionality and chemical characteristics of a given protective composition depend on them.
- Water based varnishes. The main advantage of such tools is their environmental friendliness. They do not contain solvents, do not have a pungent odor, dry quickly and are completely safe. But water compositions are not able to provide the highest degree of protection for wall cladding, so such a lacquer for lining can only be used on closed balconies.
- Acrylic lacquer. Acrylic-based coatings reliably protect wooden lamellas from ultraviolet radiation. Such compositions do not contain volatile components, therefore they are safe for the environment. Thinking about how to cover the lining on the balcony, special attention should be paid to these particular means. Processing with acrylic varnish is carried out in two stages: the first layer performs a protective function, and the second gives the material the desired shade.
- Alkyd compounds. Alkyd compounds lining (wooden) can be covered in any premises and various climatic conditions. The product forms a protective water-repellent film on the surface, which does not allow moisture to penetrate the wood structure and protects the material from mechanical damage. However, alkyd varnishes are characterized by the presence of a pungent, unpleasant odor and drying time.
- Polyurethane varnishes. These products provide maximum protection to wooden boards. They give wood resistance to frost, moisture and other negative factors. A big minus of such varnishes is that they contain toxic elements that do not allow the use of these coatings indoors.
Impregnation
Impregnations for wood reliably protect the material from pests and keep it in its original form. The main feature of this treatment is that the protective agent penetrates deep into the wood structure, where it prevents the growth of bacteria. As impregnating compositions use stain and wax.
The first option is considered the simplest and cheapest, but at the same time quite effective. If the lining on the loggia is treated with stain, you can be sure that the material has sufficient fire resistance and will not begin to rot over time. An additional plus is the ability to give the lamellas the desired shade without the use of paint.
Wax coating allows you to emphasize the natural texture of the tree and reliably protect it from moisture. This treatment is optimal in rooms with unstable climate. The waxing process is of course long and painstaking, but the final result is definitely worth the effort.
Paints
Before painting the lining with paint, you need to pay attention to the fact that these compounds completely hide the natural pattern of the material. Nevertheless, when it is necessary to hide a large number of knots or other defects, this option fits perfectly.
Here you can use oil-based formulations. They are perfectly absorbed into the wood and reliably protect it from moisture and other natural phenomena. But before covering the lining, it should be taken into account that such products dry for a very long time and are not able to maintain their original color for a long time.
Acrylic paints are also suitable for these purposes. They do not violate the natural breathing properties of the tree and do not change their color over time. Due to its elasticity, the resulting coating is not susceptible to cracking.
Separately, it should be noted that if direct sunlight is exposed to the loggia all day, this fact must be taken into account when choosing what to cover the lining on the balcony. The sunny side contributes to the fast fading of the finishing material, so in such cases, it is worth giving preference to coatings with UV filters that provide color fastness for a long time.
Stages of work
Experts recommend a protective treatment, adhering to the following plan:
- Prior to installation, treat all external and internal surfaces of the lining with antiseptic solutions.
- Leave the boards to dry completely.
- Apply the first coat of protective compound.
- At the end of installation, apply the finish (decorative) coating.
Getting Started
Before covering the lining on the balcony, you should prepare all the necessary materials and tools. For the protective treatment of boards you will need:
- antiseptic;
- comfortable staircase;
- painting tools (brushes, roller, container for solutions);
- masking tape;
- sandpaper or grinder;
- protective mask (respirator).
Surface preparation
If the previously used material is subjected to protective treatment, it must be carefully examined for rot, mold and various defects.
Naked chips and cracks are polished until the roughness disappears completely.
When dark spots and mold are present on the surface of the cladding, they are bleached with special compounds. The choice of product depends on the type of wood used. Breeds such as beech, birch and walnut are disinfected with 12% hydrogen peroxide. To process ash, mix a 20% solution of peroxide and ammonia in a ratio of 10: 1. Oak, linden and maple are bleached using oxalic acid, at the rate of 6 ml of the product per 100 ml of water. After bleaching is completed, the product used must be washed off with warm water.
Experienced craftsmen recommend sanding new material as well, as during the installation process small flaws appear on it. After polishing, the surface is washed away from dust and left to dry completely. Before covering the lining on the balcony with protective compounds, it should be treated with a primer and left for at least a day.
Processing technology
- First of all, masking tape marks the border of staining. The strips are glued at the junction of the walls with the floor and ceiling.
- The selected coating is poured into a small container, where it is mixed until color uniformity is achieved.
- Work begins from one of the corners, gradually moving around the perimeter of the room.
- If the treatment is carried out with a brush, strokes are drawn crosswise so that the composition is well absorbed into the pores of the material.
- Working with a roller, the tool is rolled from left to right, and then in the opposite direction.
- To avoid a large number of smudges, it is recommended to type the tool on the tool in minimal quantities.
- After the entire surface has been treated with a protective compound, the grooves of the lining are smeared with a narrow brush.
- In cases where the selected product is applied twice, the first layer must be allowed to dry well, and then clean all the roughness with a fine-grained skin.
- Next, a second layer is applied. The finish must dry for at least two days.
In conclusion, I want to note that protective compositions should be chosen depending on the type of wood from which the finishing material is made.
For example, if you are thinking about how to cover a linden wall paneling on a balcony, the surest answer is transparent varnish. This type of wood has beautiful reliefs and a variety of shades, so you should not hide the natural beauty under opaque compositions. All you need to do with such a board is to polish it well and coat it with colorless varnish.
We examined how to paint the lining, what the choice of protective equipment depends on, what stages the technology of applying these compositions includes. We hope that the above information will be useful to you, and you will be able to correctly carry out all the upcoming work, providing the wood material with a long service life.