Wood is a living material, even when it comes to color. If solid wood UV light is exposed, it can be Change color and become darker. This natural process is referred to as darkening.

Causes of darkening of wood

Wood contains lignins that react to sunlight. UV radiation breaks down the lignin in the upper layers of wood and the wood becomes darker. Lignins are biopolymers that are stored in the plant cell wall and are responsible for the Lignification of the cell care for. By the way, the Latin word for wood is lignum.

The stronger the furniture made of wood sunlight are exposed, the more faster and more intense Darkens light wood in particular.

Not all woods darken equally

For light types of wood The effect of darkening is generally more noticeable than with types of wood that are naturally darker. Especially too soft woods can darken significantly. Spruce, for example, changes its color almost rapidly to a significantly darker shade when exposed to the appropriate light.

Not just the wood itself, but also various Surface treatments can yellow under the influence of UV radiation and thus disguise the original color of the wood.

Darkening of wood does not affect its quality

Darkening wooden furniture is one of them purely aesthetic aspect. The color change has no influence on stability of solid wood furniture. The Darkening does not reduce the quality of the wood. Sometimes this effect is even explicitly desired. By using the piece of furniture direct sunlight If it stops, it will darken quite quickly. In everyday life, where the piece of furniture is protected from direct sun, this process can only be observed gradually.

Measures to prevent darkening of wooden furniture

Solid wood furniture with natural surfaces will darken over time. How strong The color change depends on the type of wood and how much the wood is exposed to UV radiation. Darkening of wood cannot be completely prevented. However, your piece of solid wood furniture will darken more quickly if it is placed in front of a window where the sun shines directly. With the correct choice of location The effect of darkening can be influenced for the furniture in the apartment.

Surface treatments to prevent darkening

There are special ones in stores UV blockers in the form of varnishes, oils or waxes. These UV blockers can greatly slow down the darkening caused by natural sunlight. It is important to use a high-quality UV blocker. He should have one the lowest possible pigment content preferably less than two percent in order to preserve the natural wood character.

Lighten darkened wood again

You can use solid wood furniture that has become a little darker over time simply sand it off. Because that Color change is only superficial. If you remove the appropriate layers of wood, it will come original wood color appears again. The wood can then be treated again as desired.