Painting

• • • Woodhouse Edgeline products are factory coated with a multi-coat, water-based priming system that is compatible with most premium interior paints.
    • For best results, select a high quality and hard-wearing enamel door and trim paint. These types of paints are usually thicker and have a higher viscosity than wall and ceiling paints, resisting ‘sag’ in vertical applications while drying to a smooth and consistent finish.
    • Specialised enamel door and trim paints have also been designed to withstand the bumps, scrapes and scratches typical of a modern home. Timber mouldings are often prone to impact by furniture, brooms, mops, vacuum cleaners, pets and children, and will benefit from the protection provided by a hard-wearing paint.
    • Water-based enamels typically give off less odour than oil-based enamels, and are much more resistant to yellowing in areas of low light.
    • Oil-based enamels usually achieve a higher sheen level than water-based enamels, and level off to a superior surface finish following application (meaning fewer brush marks).
    • Glossy paints with a high sheen level are generally more durable and easier to clean than matt and low sheen paints, but will also highlight areas of wear and tear on the surface of the timber moulding. Low- and semi-gloss paints are often recommended for door and trim applications as they strike a nice balance between the concealing benefits of flatter paints, and the practical qualities of glossier paints.

• • 1. Fill any nail holes with wood filler, then lightly sand these areas to an even finish.
    2. Spot prime where appropriate.
    3. Ensure that the moulding surface is free of dirt and contaminants. If necessary, clean gently with detergent and water to prepare for final finishing.
    4. Finish dry timber with two or more applications of a premium interior topcoat, following the manufacturer’s specifications.

• • • Woodhouse Weatherproof® products are factory coated with an architectural oil-based alkyd primer, manufactured for Woodhouse by Dulux®.
    • Woodhouse recommends the selection of Dulux® Weathershield® exterior paints for optimum compatibility with and protection of Woodhouse Weatherproof® timber products.
    • Where this cannot be achieved, choose a durable and UV-resistant exterior paint from a reputable manufacturer. The oil-based alkyd primer formulation applied to Weatherproof® products is over-coatable with most premium water- and oil-based exterior paints.
    • Water-based paints are highly flexible and offer improved UV-resistance over oil-based paints, which means they are often better equipped to deal with expansion and contraction of the timber substrate, as well as the rigours of demanding outdoor environments.
    • Oil-based paints may be harder wearing in certain applications – for example, on exterior window and door trims – but tend to become harder and more brittle with age. Their poor durability in locations exposed to high levels of ultraviolet light can also cause these paints to become chalky and/or fade over significantly shorter timeframes than water-based paints.
    • Overall, water-based exterior paints generally offer better performance than oil-based exterior paints upon application to Woodhouse Weatherproof® products.
    • When choosing colours, be mindful of the impact of topcoat colour on the performance of the timber substrate. Dark colours with a light reflective value (LRV) of 44 and below will absorb light and can cause ambient temperatures on the surface of building materials to rise. For softwood products like Weatherproof®, this can lead to surface checking, distortion and resin bleed. We recommend paint colours with an LRV of 45 and above.

• • 1. Optimum performance of the Woodhouse Weatherproof® product is achieved when finishing topcoats are applied within eight weeks of installation. If more time has elapsed and the primer appears chalky or loose, lightly sand these areas and re-coat with wood primer.
    2. Seal cut ends, notches and penetrations with an in-can timber preservative such as Tanalised® Enseal, followed by a quality wood primer.
    3. Fill nail holes with wood filler, then lightly sand these areas to an even finish.
    4. Ensure the timber surface is free of dirt and contaminants.
    5. Finish dry timber with two or more applications of a premium exterior topcoat, following the manufacturer’s specifications. We recommend Dulux® Weathershield®!
    6. Note that some cladding and lining products may benefit from the application of an initial topcoat prior to installation. For more information, refer to the installation guides for claddings and lining boards in the ‘Help’ section of this website.

When choosing topcoats, select lighter colours with a light reflective value (LRV) of 45 to 100 (pure white = 100). Dark colours with a LRV of 44 or less will generate high surface temperatures increasing the risk of surface checking, shrinkage, distortion and resin bleed.