During the period 2007-2011 a research project has been carried out in cooperation between Norwegian universities, research institutes and industry. The main objective is to develop new methods for early prediction of durability and longer aesthetic service life of outdoor coated wooden claddings. Various test specimens from Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) with surface treatment have been exposed to natural (outdoor) and artificial (laboratory) weathering. Two laboratory methods, qPCR and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, have been studied as tools for qualitative and quantitative identification and evaluation of early colonization by discolouring fungi on painted surfaces. The methods are also compared with other existing methods for evaluation of discolouring fungi. The wood materials used in the project are carefully selected and characterized, in order to detect any influence on the growth of discolouring fungi by the wood structure, growth conditions and wood material position in the timber log. Finally, a survey is made of service life prediction methods and how such methods have been applied on wooden building products.
Keywords: facades, wood, fungal growth, durability, service life
Authors
Hovde P.J.
Department of Civil and Transport Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim
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