One of the biggest misconceptions in the mass timber business revolves around coatings. Let’s try to set the record straight here today.

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 #𝟭: It’s best to apply all of your coatings in the shop:

This is categorically untrue and will result in the highest final cost to your project. Mass timber will inevitably be marred, stained, scuffed, and otherwise damaged during erection. This is to be expected as structural product. If your mass timber is already coated, this becomes an extremely costly and difficult proposition to rectify. A far more economical solution is to leave the wood bare, clean it up with a fine glass bead, and finish on site.

𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Avoid film-forming coatings at all costs.

Misconceptions Around Mass Timber Coatings

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 #𝟮: My CLT needs an edge coat, preferably wax:

Studies have proven this to be untrue. A study performed by a leading mass timber fabricator found that there was marginal difference in checking between CLT with edges coated with a construction sealer, a wax sealer, and nothing at all. The wax sealer only slightly improved checking potential; however, it runs, pools, and puddles on the underside of the CLT, leaving unsightly stains that are difficult to remove. What the CLT needs is to breathe and acclimatize.

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 #𝟯: My CLT needs a construction sealer, especially one with UV protection:

Applying a construction sealer to the faces of your CLT is inefficient. There’s a high chance it will need to be redone in the field. If we’re talking about the underside of the CLT, it doesn’t need UV protection since it won’t receive sunlight. Water staining comes from the dirt and iron oxide that water brings with it—not the water itself. Construction sealer won’t protect against this.

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