Timber Coatings

Q: How long do timber coatings last?

In New Zealand, wood finishes generally have about three years of shelf life, but it is always a good idea to check the packaging of your particular product to get confirmation of its longevity once opened.

Q: How many coats of finish does a hardwood floor need?

After one coat of seal, which could be a stain, hardwood floors generally need two more coats of finish. This means three coats total. If the floor is in a particularly busy or weathered environment, it could benefit from an extra coat on top of the standard three.

Timber coatings are applied to a wooden surface to protect it from various factors, including the elements, wear and tear, heavy use, and fungal or insect infestation. These wood finishes are available for all kinds of timber, from outdoor furniture to traditional flooring and everything in between. ArchiPro features the best timber coatings you’ll find, all from trusted suppliers in New Zealand.

Featuring the best timber coatings in New Zealand

ArchiPro is the place to get your timber coatings and wood finishes. Our suppliers in New Zealand are tried and tested for the highest quality. We provide timber finishes of many varieties, such as wax, shellac, drying oil and lacquer. Some timber coatings may even positively impact the look of your wood surface, similarly to timber or wood stain. We have timber floor coatings, specifically for timber floorboards, and more general timber coating products. Take a look at our stains and treatments section for more.

Types of timber coating

Evaporative

These wood finishes use solvents and thinners like alcohol, acetone and nitro-cellulose. Once the solvent evaporates, the coating goes solid and locks together on the surface of the wood.

Reactive

These wood finishes use white spirits and naphtha as solvents. They create a chemical change when they cure a timber surface, making resins cluster together on the surface of the wood.

Coalescing

These wood finishes are water-based and are formed by miniature droplets of reactively cured resin suspended in a solvent and water. They dry in a combination of the aforementioned methods.

The advantages of high-quality timber coatings

A high-quality wood coating or finish will, above all, protect your timber from various degrative factors. In New Zealand, this could be wear and tear, wild weather, or infestation from fungi or insects. Hence, great timber coatings will significantly extend the life of the timber features in a home or workplace in New Zealand. Some timber coatings can even make wood more resistant to fire, greatly improving the safety of a space.

How to choose the timber coating that’s right for you

Remember, timber floor coating products are specifically for floors and will perform best when used in that manner. However, more general timber coating products are available. Some woods, such as pine, tend to absorb stains unevenly, resulting in blotches on the surface. If you’re using a timber coating which will change the colour of the wood, apply a barrier coat of shellac, or a conditioner before applying your wood coating. If possible, do a sample testing before purchasing a particular timber coating.

What happens if you don’t finish wood?

Unfinished wood may look dehydrated and dull. The wood will not be protected from various sources of damage and wear such as environmental factors, weathering and insect or fungi infestation. Unfinished wood will simply not last as long as finished wood, degrading at a quicker rate.