What to cover the lining on the balcony: paints, impregnations, varnishes, application technology

Most owners of balconies for finishing this room choose the lining. It attracts excellent performance and spectacular appearance. However, even such a practical and universal 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 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 for which it is necessary to process wooden finishing material

The balcony space is characterized by a changeable microclimate. Sharp changes of temperature, direct sunlight, dampness - all this inevitably has a negative impact on natural material.

The increased humidity leads to blueing and deformation of the wood, as well as to the formation of mold fungi. With prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays, the lining (wooden) gives cracks and may even catch fire. Do not forget about small pests, such as bugs, spiders and other insects. Microorganisms, populated in wooden walls, turn hard boards into a pile of rubbish and sawdust. That is why the question of how to cover the lining to ensure its long-term preservation, worries many fans of environmentally friendly materials.

Types of protective coatings

In the modern construction market, many chemical compounds are presented, which make it possible to protect the wooden lining from external influences. This includes: varnishes, paints, antiseptics and fire retardants. The choice of the optimal option depends on its characteristics and financial ability of the buyer. In addition, each composition has certain positive and negative qualities. After reading them, you can find the right answer to the question of what to cover the wooden lining on the balcony.

Lucky

Various components can be used as the basis of the lacquer coating. The functionality and chemical characteristics of a protective composition depend on them.

• Varnishes on a water basis. The main advantage of such facilities is their environmental friendliness. They do not contain solvents, do not have a sharp smell, quickly dry and are completely safe. But the water compositions are not able to provide the highest degree of protection of the wall cladding, so such lacquer for lining can only be used on closed balconies.
• Acrylic lacquer. Coatings on an acrylic base reliably protect wooden lamellas from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Such formulations do not contain volatile components, so they are safe for the environment. Thinking about what to cover the lining on the balcony, special attention should be paid to these means. The treatment with acrylic varnish is carried out in two steps: the first layer performs a protective function, and the second layer gives the material the desired shade.
• Alkyd compounds. Alkyd compositions, lining (wooden) can be covered in any premises and various climatic conditions. The product forms a protective water-repellent film on the surface, which prevents moisture from penetrating into the wood structure and protects the material from mechanical damage. However, alkyd varnishes are characterized by the presence of a sharp, unpleasant odor and the duration of drying.
• Polyurethane varnishes. These tools provide maximum protection to wooden boards. They give wood resistance to frost, moisture and other negative factors. A major disadvantage 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 preserve it in its original form. The main feature of this treatment is that the protective agent penetrates deeply into the structure of the wood, where it prevents the reproduction of bacteria. As impregnating compounds 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 in time will not start to rot. An additional advantage 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. Such treatment is optimal in rooms with an unstable climate. The process of waxing is certainly long and laborious, but the final result is definitely worth the effort.

Paints

Before you paint 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 as well as possible.

You can use oil-based compounds. They are perfectly absorbed into the wood and reliably protect it from moisture and other natural phenomena. But before you cover the lining, it should be noted that such a means for a very long time to dry and unable to maintain its 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 after the time has elapsed. Due to its elasticity, the resulting coating is not subject to cracking.

Separately, it should be noted that if the direct sunlight hits the loggia all day long, then this fact must be taken into account when choosing what to cover the lining on the balcony. The solar side contributes to the rapid 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 carrying out protective treatment, adhering to the following plan:

1. Before beginning installation, treat all external and internal surfaces of the lining with antiseptic solutions.
2. Leave the boards until completely dry.
3. Apply the first coat of protective compound.
4. At the end of the installation, apply the finish (decorative) coating.

Preparing to start work

Before you cover the lining on the balcony, you should prepare all the necessary materials and tools. To protect the boards you will need:

• Antiseptic;
• Comfortable staircase;
• Painting tools (brushes, roller, container for solutions);
• Painting Scotch tape;
• Sandpaper or grinder;
• Protective mask (respirator).

Surface preparation

If the protective treatment is subjected to the previously used material, it must be carefully inspected for rot, mold and various defects.

Naked chips and cracks are ground until the irregularities disappear.

When there are dark spots and mold on the surface of the lining, they are bleached with special compounds. The choice of the product depends on the type of wood used. Such breeds as beech, birch and walnut are disinfected with 12% hydrogen peroxide. For the processing of ash mix 20% solution of peroxide and ammonia in a ratio of 10: 1. Oak, linden and maple bleach with oxalic acid, at the rate of 6 ml of the drug per 100 ml of water. After the end of bleaching, the agent should be washed off with warm water.

Experienced masters recommend sanding and new material, because during the installation on it appear small flaws. After grinding, the surface is washed from the dust and left to dry completely. Before you cover the lining on the balcony with protective compounds, it should be treated with a primer and leave for at least a day.

Processing technology

• First of all, the painting tape shows the border of coloring. Strips are glued in the places where the walls are joined to the floor and ceiling.
• The selected coating is poured into a small container, where it is mixed until uniform color is achieved.
• Work starts from one of the corners, gradually moving around the perimeter of the room.
• If the treatment is done using a brush, the strokes are drawn in a crosswise manner so that the compound is well absorbed into the pores of the material.
• Working with the roller, the tool is rolled from left to right, and then in the opposite direction.
• To avoid a large number of streaks, it is recommended to use the tool in minimum quantities.
• After the whole surface has been treated with a protective compound, slots of the lining are squeezed using a narrow brush.
• In those cases, when the chosen agent is applied twice, the first layer must be allowed to dry well, and then clean out all the roughness with a fine-grained sandpaper.
• Then a second layer is applied. The finishing coat should dry for at least two days.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the protective compositions should be selected depending on the type of wood from which the finishing material is made.

For example, if you are thinking about how to cover a lining from a linden on a balcony, the clear answer is a clear lacquer. This breed of wood is characterized by beautiful reliefs and a variety of shades, so do not hide the natural beauty under opaque compounds. All you need to do with such a board is to grind well and cover with a clear varnish.

We examined how to paint the lining, which determines the choice of protective agent, what stages includes the technology of applying these compositions. We hope that the above information will be useful for you, and you will be able to properly perform all the work to be done, providing a long service life to the wooden material.