Start date: 1 November 2023
Adding a few different timbers to the test this year, Radiata, Plywood and a mystery timber I was given which we think is some kind of pine from Italy.
Test sample boards: 3 Boards made, One board is stored in the shed to keep original, one board is completely uncoated exposed to full weather, one board has wood sealer and exterior paint exposed to full weather.
As shown in photo: 1 Paulownia, 2 Radiata, 3 Italian Pine, 4 Cypress, 5 Hoop Pine, 6 Standard Plywood.
Six months: April 2024
After six months of exposure to full weather, and we’ve had a lot of rain over the last six months.
Observations: All samples seems structurally sound with no obvious decay. The unpainted hoop pine appears dark with mould. The hoop pine sample is likely to have been the most driest, resin free of all the samples and possibly the most porous so it sucks up the moisture from all the rain we’ve had. The plywood has held up better than expected.
As shown in photo: 1 Paulownia, 2 Radiata, 3 Italian Pine, 4 Cypress, 5 Hoop Pine, 6 Standard Plywood.
Thirteen months: December 2024
After 13 months the results are pretty much the same as seven months ago. The samples have been exposed to heaps of rain over the last year.
Observations: The Paulownia and Italian Pine are showing signs of decay. The Radiata and Plywood are going well.
As shown in photo: 1 Paulownia, 2 Radiata, 3 Italian Pine, 4 Cypress, 5 Hoop Pine, 6 Standard Plywood. The bottom board is kept in the shed out of the weather.
