High-density hardwood decking and siding species like Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, Machiche and others are tough to finish. They are so hard and dense, they simply don’t like finishes. And no finishes last for very long on these durable hardwoods. That’s why we constantly test new finishes on these tough-to-finish wood species. We found a winner. Penofin created new Architectural finishes and they work great for hardwood decking and siding.
Over the years, we have had good success with Penofin Hardwood Formula on hardwood decking and siding. We have tested it against all the other oil finishes on the market. Penofin hardwood formula outlasts and outperforms every other finish we tested. Until now, that is. Penofin just got beat by...yup, Penofin.
We are currently testing Penofin hardwood formula against their own Penofin architectural finishes. The architectural finishes are Penofin TMF (Transparent Matte Finish) and Penofin TSF (Transparent Satin Finish).
And the clear-cut winners are Penofin TMF and Penofin TSF architectural finishes. These finishes still look fantastic on four different hardwood decking species after 220 days. And we don't take it easy on them.
Our testing is on a rooftop with full UV exposure - sunrise to sunset. No shade. No mercy. The testing is one mile away from the harsh New England coastal weather. Horizontal exposure (like decking) is much tougher on exterior hardwoods than vertical surfaces (like siding). To make the testing tougher, we laid all the boards out horizontally. Rain, snow, hail, sun - bring it on.
Here’s what we’ve learned about the new Penofin Architectural Finishes so far:
From left to right you will see the four hardwood decking species we're testing; Ipe decking, Garapa decking, Machiche decking and Cumaru decking.
From top to bottom, the finishes are; Penofin Hardwood formula, no finish, Penofin TMF and Penofin TSF.
As expected in this harsh climate, the unfinished portion of the hardwood decking has already started to fade and turn gray. The Penofin hardwood Formula has started to fade but is still protecting the wood. The two architectural finishes; Penofin TMF and Penofin TSF, still look terrific.
If you love the look and performance of real hardwood decking and siding, and want to maintain the 'like new' wood look, Penofin is a great option to consider.
We hope you enjoyed this article. Please visit MataverdeDecking.com for additional information about finishes, hardwood decking options and hardwood siding options.