Various types of paint - a coating popular today for any type of surface, in particular wood. In the country, they found especially widespread use, since it is here that there are a lot of objects that need competent coloring. When discussing this type of work, a veranda and a wooden terrace deserve special attention, the design of which takes a lot of time and the material itself. Which paintwork is better to choose and what you need to know about proper staining - more on this later.

Why paint a wooden veranda or terrace outside

Paint or enamel for wood performs several important functions at once: it improves the appearance of the veranda or terrace and protects it from unwanted external influencesth. Under the influence of precipitation, unprotected wood will swell and collapse, which will significantly reduce the operational life of the structures (it doesn’t matter if we are talking about a terrace, a veranda or outbuildings in a summer cottage).

Undesirable effect on wooden parts and constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation: Over time, the old layer of paint sloughs and discolors, and the wood dries up. In addition, without paintwork, the tree is more susceptible to attack by wood insects and the development of fungal ailments, which also adversely affect the operational properties.

To prevent all kinds of troubles and enjoy the attractive appearance of buildings for as long as possible, you will have to paint the terrace and the veranda, if not every year, then at least once every two years.

Did you know? Primitive people used paints for various walls and charcoal to decorate the walls of their houses. The ancient Egyptians went even further and learned how to get purple-red paint from the secretion of a separate type of snail.

Paint requirements

To cover wooden parts from the front side of buildings, a special type of paint for outdoor work is required, the pigmented composition of which will be more resistant to undesirable environmental influences.

The main requirements for such specialized mixtures include the following:

• durability of use, which will guarantee an attractive appearance of the wooden frame without constant repainting;
• high protective functions of the substance, preventing the process of decay (the composition used should prevent bloating, cracks, shedding and putrefactive processes);
• high resistance to fading under the influence of UV rays (A high-quality bright purple product will retain the saturation of its colors for more than one year).

In addition to these important components, modern facade paints can contain antiseptic substances, flame retardants, water-repellent components. However, choosing a paint for covering wooden elements of a veranda or terrace, each summer resident should proceed from personal goals and needs. For example, if you decide to repaint the wood every year, giving the building new and bright colors, then the criterion for color fastness will fade into the background. Of course, most summer residents are unlikely to want to trouble themselves with such "updates", but in any case, the relevance of certain characteristics of the coloring matter will depend on the personal goals and objectives of the building owner.

Types of coatings for wood

The modern market of paints and varnishes can provide its consumers with a variety of coatings for wood, and the last thing left is to compare all their advantages and disadvantages, and then choose the most suitable option.

Enamel paints and varnishes

Pigmented enamel paint mixture is made on the basis of varnish and after drying forms a dense, opaque coating, usually with a matte or glossy surface. With a small consumption of substances there is every chance to ensure the durability of wood.

Enamel paints are excellent for painting platbands, cornices, support beams and other external elements of house building. As for the disadvantages of this solution, first of all it is low resistance to various oily and fatty substances. For this reason, many gardeners after drying the paint prefer to re-coat the wood with a layer of varnish or even use it instead of standard paint. It will take at least 5-6 hours to completely dry the coating.

Varnishes for wood

The varnish coating consists of natural, synthetic resins and oils. A dried transparent and hard film will emphasize the natural texture of the tree, protect it from moisture and ultraviolet radiation. Painting wooden parts using varnish means automatically increasing the life of the porch, porch or other agricultural buildings made of wood, and coating them is possible both outside and inside the structure. With proper use of the substance, it will qualitatively protect wood from pests, rot and unwanted external influences (weather conditions).

All modern varnishes contain UV filters that preserve the color of painted surfaces for a long time. The range of varnishes for wood includes yacht, alkyd, oil and acrylic compounds, each of which has its own specific constituent components. So, yacht and oil varnishes are created on the basis of resins and oils, and after use they change the natural light color of wood to darker. It is better to apply them only on a previously cleaned, fat-free wooden surface, leaving to dry for 4 hours.

Important! On average, about 100-200 g of varnish for wooden surfaces is consumed per square meter.

Alkyd varnish is more transparent, has high frost resistance and is suitable for application over paintwork. The drying time for such a coating is 24 hours. Acrylic (water) composition is often used as an antiseptic, and among its additional advantages, a high level of environmental friendliness and fire resistance are distinguished. This type is perfect for covering the external wooden facade of structures, but for stairs it is better to choose something more resistant to mechanical abrasion.

Primers and impregnations

Most likely, when you buy your favorite varnish or wood paint, sellers will assure you of their excellent quality and the possibility of direct application to a wooden surface without first processing the latter. However, for better adhesion of the coating to the tree, it is still better to treat it with additional compounds: primer or impregnation. The impregnating layer will additionally protect the product from bacteria, mold and insects, while reducing the likelihood of wood burning and the speed of flame propagation through the structure.

The primer is more aimed at preparing the tree for further painting by leveling the surface of the product and filling all the pores present in it. As a result, the adhesion of wood and paint is significantly improved, as well as the consumption of the latter is reduced. Both the primer and the impregnation should be used so that they penetrate the tree as completely as possible, filling all the pores. It is better not to buy low-quality products (usually it is relatively inexpensive), otherwise the protective properties of the lumber will be reduced, and the duration of the service of the veranda or terrace can no longer be completely sure.

If possible, try to buy materials from well-known manufacturers in their region, because often they develop the percentage composition of all components, taking into account the climatic characteristics of a particular area.

Did you know? Ancient Greek stylobates, the upper surface of the stepped basement of the temple on which the colonnades were built, can be considered a prototype of a modern wooden terrace. Wooden terraces appeared much later, along with the spread of cottage construction.

Azure

Azure - glaze or translucent paint for wood, which is characterized by all the functional characteristics of impregnation and varnish. Unlike standard paints and varnishes, this option does not form a thick film on the surface of wooden products, which means that they will not peel off and peel off. One of the most noticeable distinctive characteristics of azure is their translucency.

Due to this feature, such a coating will not hide the natural pattern of wood, as is often the case with paints or even varnish. If the difference in the tone of the wooden part needs to be intentionally hidden (for example, spliced ​​sections), then when choosing a material, special attention should be paid to its shade in order to achieve the maximum possible smoothing of the tone.

All wood azure can be divided into 2 main types: water-based and solvent-based. The first are considered more environmentally friendly, but if we talk about the durability of the coating, then it is worth giving preference to the second option. The general positive characteristics of high-quality products include drying speed, ease of application, high resistance to ultraviolet radiation and air permeability of the coating, which allows the wood to breathe even after double use of azure.

Wax and oil

Both of these materials can be considered a simple and affordable solution for painting verandas or terraces, which can be purchased at any hardware store. They are presented in the form of a multicomponent mixture consisting of organic and synthetic elements, as well as a certain amount of fat. The main component in most cases is vegetable oil of rapeseed, flax, sunflower or soy, as well as bees, candelilla or carnauba wax. These substances are applied to wooden boards, trying to rub them into wood as best as possible, saturating each pore.

As a result, the tree will not only be well protected from external negative influences, but will also significantly improve its appearance, acquiring a natural shine. One of the most noticeable advantages of wax and oil when painting a terrace or the outer part of the veranda is the absence of a film, which can later crack and thereby deteriorate the decorative design. At the same time, moisture and dirt resistance always remain at a high level (resistance to mechanical abrasion is average).

In the market you can find both colorless and tintable or pigmented oils and waxes., and for processing the veranda, terrace or wharf even has its own individually designed product line, with special additives in their composition. Such components make the surface less slippery, increase its frost resistance and create a coating that is as resistant to microbes and bacteria as possible. Thanks to this, the boards retain their color much longer, do not darken and do not crack.

Important! When choosing oil or wax for the veranda, be sure to consider the type of wood that you want to cover with the substance. In most cases, the manufacturer indicates on the label whether it is possible to use the product for resinous and exotic woods, as well as the figure for the approximate consumption of the substance per 1 m² of the area of ​​the veranda or terrace and its preferred method of application.

The better to cover the floor

The choice of a particular type of flooring depends on several key factors: the openness or closeness of the surface of a wooden product (the intensity of the effect of natural precipitation is important), the strength of the mechanical effect, and the type of wood. For the floor of open home terraces, the above waxes and oils will be an excellent solution, while standard enamel paint will not last even one season. In the case of coloring areas of public restaurants or cafes, which are characterized by frequent mechanical damage to the surface, it is worth giving preference to wear-resistant materials.

The best solution for open verandas, terraces and decks will be a special terrace oil, which the boards process both before and after installation. In the first case, lumber can dry in warehouses for several years and only after that it can be used for its intended purpose for laying the floor. On-site painting is a more common option, however, in order to achieve maximum success and extend the floor's service life for many years, it is worthwhile to properly prepare the surface for processing.

Color selection

The selection of the color of the paint or shade of varnish to cover the wooden surfaces of the veranda or terrace entirely and completely depends on the personal preferences of the owner of the buildings. From a practical point of view, a light floor will be more appropriate, as dust and small debris on it will not be so noticeable.

On black, dark brown or cherry, even fingerprints are immediately evident, and constantly wiping the surface is far from always convenient. It is impossible not to take into account the possible difference in the tones of the tree, so in some situations it would be more appropriate to combine several colors at once, perhaps taking into account the different color zones of the surface.

Preparing the tree before painting

The continued success of the operation of the painted wooden elements of the veranda or terrace largely depends on the correct implementation of all preparatory measures, and it doesn’t matter if we are talking about the floor or walls of the structure.

Conditionally, all preparation for painting can be divided into several main stages:

1. Cleaning the surface from dust and dirt (you can use only a rag and water).
2. Removing the old paintwork (if any).
3. Grinding the top layer of wood to rid the boards of dark places and bacteria, the appearance of which was caused by the constant influence of precipitation and mechanical friction.
4. Replacing rotten boards and putty on cracked places (patches patched with a special mortar must be dried and then sanded well).
5. Re-cleaning the surface of dust and debris (a damp cloth is enough).
6. Drying the wooden surface and coating it with a primer, which should provide better adhesion of the paint (varnish) and wood.

Based on the type of substances used at the preparatory stage, the drying time of the tree is determined, after which it will be possible to proceed to painting or varnishing the tree.

Staining rules

Most coloring materials have a tendency to spread over the surface, therefore, uneven distribution of the substance on the wooden boards of the terrace or veranda is possible. To prevent the undesirable consequences of improper staining, it is worth knowing in advance about the basic rules of the paint process.

The main recommendations in this case include the following:

1. There should always be several coloring layers, with the obligatory drying of the surface between their application (this will provide more accurate impregnation of all pores and irregularities in the wood to obtain a perfectly smooth surface).
2. You need to paint the floor on the terrace along the length of the boards, and not in width.
3. If at the joints, individual parts of the floor rise above the general level, the side sections must also be painted over (it is most convenient to use thin brushes for this).
4. Try to apply paint on the surface as thin as possible (2-3 layers are usually enough to cover the floor).
5. End sections of the boards should be coated with a water-repellent composition, which will guarantee maximum moisture resistance of wooden products.
6. At the end of the floor painting, wait for it to dry completely and rinse the surface well with hot water.

If possible, it is better to use hardwoods, which are much less prone to drying and decay, to create the floor of a terrace or veranda. In the future, with the advent of winter, it is useful to cover the floor with plastic wrap that protects the surface from snow and rain. To prevent slipping, special mats laid out on it will help.

Coating process

Cover the floor or walls of the terrace with the selected paintwork material immediately after its selection and the implementation of all preparatory measures, associated with the cleaning and polishing of the surface, as well as the repair of individual damaged parts of the wooden coating. In general, it is not difficult to paint the veranda or terrace, the main thing is to choose a suitable finish composition (for example, acrylic latex compounds or, more preferably, oils) and tools for its maximum quality distribution on the surface (rollers, brushes, sponges).For the convenience of using the selected paintwork material, it is worth pouring the viscous liquid into a wide tray and using a roller to distribute it along the outside of the floor or any other wooden part of the structure.

The wooden floor is painted along the boards, leaving only protruding sides for the brushes. When distributing paint, try not to leave smears and smudges on the surface of the wood.

The best time to carry out paint work at any place is warm spring dayswhen the air is already warm enough and the sun glances more and more often. In such a period, there is neither dampness nor high humidity, which means that the paint applied to the wood will dry much faster.

How and how to paint the porch of a country house - each homeowner decides independently, based on personal preferences and available funds. However, in order for the object to be painted to acquire the desired appearance and to preserve it for a long time, it is worth considering all the recommendations for the preparation and conduct of paint work, from the choice of the coloring substance to the further care of the painted surface.