Oak windows - how to stop them going silver?
Discussion
Hi,
we're considering oak framed windows BUT we're in a sea air enviroment and other local windows have gone silver in a matter of 2-3 years. Is there any cure/prevention for this. We want a modern looking house. I've been told alluminium windows will need to be marine grade to stop corrosion.
Any ideas?
we're considering oak framed windows BUT we're in a sea air enviroment and other local windows have gone silver in a matter of 2-3 years. Is there any cure/prevention for this. We want a modern looking house. I've been told alluminium windows will need to be marine grade to stop corrosion.
Any ideas?
ACEparts_com said:
Which do you think will be cheapest? Black anodized alloy OR decent english oak?
Depends.. I got a set custom made to an unusual design. The materials part was about 50% more for english rather than french (I think) oak. Overall only a little more (20%) than Anglia or the like for UPVC after they'd been beaten down...What about wood stain/dye to bring the colour back? www.ronsealcontractor.co.uk/prodshow.asp?prodID=5
ncs said:
eldar said:
Use top quality english oak, which will last forever. Some imported oaks are rubbish and almost soluble.
Almost maintenance free, assuming you don't paint them....
But it will still go silver unless you treat & maintain it, as will any timber used externally.Almost maintenance free, assuming you don't paint them....
Nick
All timbers turn silver as they are exposed to UV + air. It's natural and doesn't signify any degredation of the wood itself. The recommended way to treat oak (and I believe most timber) for long term durability is with linseed oil. It's a bit more involved to apply than modern paint, but with a decent hardwood frame should ensure decades of good service. The difference is that modern paint is a surface treatment whereas oil penetrates the wood. The moment water gets behind a modern paint, it will crack, peel and the wood will rot as it's effectively unprotected. Worse still, modern paints trap water behind them, so your wood can be rotting away before you even know it.
If you are building in oak, make sure it's good stuff - English Oak is much more robust than some of the nice cheap imported stuff. If you want to avoid it going silver (Kevin McCleod would probably call it 'settling into the landscape'), you could use some pigment in the oil. You can buy linseed oil with a variety of natural pigments. Whilst the cost of painting this way is a bit more than modern paints, time between re-paints is good and you get to retain your expensive frames for longer.
If you are building in oak, make sure it's good stuff - English Oak is much more robust than some of the nice cheap imported stuff. If you want to avoid it going silver (Kevin McCleod would probably call it 'settling into the landscape'), you could use some pigment in the oil. You can buy linseed oil with a variety of natural pigments. Whilst the cost of painting this way is a bit more than modern paints, time between re-paints is good and you get to retain your expensive frames for longer.
Idigbo is a hard wearing slightly cheaper alternative to oak - it should retain it's natural colour (and like most timbers will slightly darken with age and exposure to sunlight)
I'd agree that impregnating treatments are best - easy to apply, none of the problems of cracked / peeling surface coatings, and the bonus is that you get to see the real timber (Sadolin Classic is good but don't use the Sadolin Extra which is the viscous surface coating)
Be VERY VERY careful if specifying metal / alloy frames in an area of high salinity (by the seaside) - LOTS of pitfalls and problems if you're not careful or getting specialist advice
The best performance and quality timber windows are usually from Denmark - Rationel are worth a look
all the best
Martin
I'd agree that impregnating treatments are best - easy to apply, none of the problems of cracked / peeling surface coatings, and the bonus is that you get to see the real timber (Sadolin Classic is good but don't use the Sadolin Extra which is the viscous surface coating)
Be VERY VERY careful if specifying metal / alloy frames in an area of high salinity (by the seaside) - LOTS of pitfalls and problems if you're not careful or getting specialist advice
The best performance and quality timber windows are usually from Denmark - Rationel are worth a look
all the best
Martin
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