Timber finishes offer timeless elegance, maintaining their popularity year after year, unlike other architectural trends. Advances in manufacturing have introduced realistic faux woodgrain finishes on metal cladding, achieving such high standards that these finishes can even be textured to mimic the look and feel of real wood. Additionally, creative options like coating finishes can enhance gloss or shine for added visual impact.
The benefits of using faux woodgrain finishes are numerous, making them a highly attractive option for architects and specifiers. These long-lasting, easy-to-maintain, and fully sustainable solutions are likely to meet various requirements. Here are the key benefits of faux woodgrain finishes:
Longevity
Woodgrain finishes on metal cladding materials do not require additional coatings to maintain their appearance year after year. Faux woodgrain finishes retain their integrity, resisting fading and warping—common concerns with real timber. This stability is a significant advantage over natural wood.
Sustainable
Sustainability is a crucial consideration today. While wood is a renewable resource, it requires time to grow—typically 30-40 years before harvesting. Aluminum, on the other hand, is a sustainable resource that can be recycled indefinitely and repurposed into other construction materials. This makes faux woodgrain finishes a more sustainable choice.
Cost-Effective
Natural wood shortages can drive up prices, making it an expensive option. Faux woodgrain finishes offer an affordable alternative, providing the natural woodgrain look without the high cost.
VarietyÂ
Technological advancements have expanded the range of faux woodgrain finishes available. For example, Fairview offers 12 standard finishes and can match any requested woodgrain, ensuring a wide variety of options to meet market demands.
Fairview Woodgrain Finishes
The Finished Results
The best way to showcase the beauty of these finishes is to see them applied on an exterior façade:
Project: Oregon State University
Location: Portland, OR
Woodgrain Finish: Maple
Products: Vitrabond FR and Edgeline Flashing Material
The maple finish used in this project was custom-created for the designer. Its popularity after being showcased led to its inclusion as one of our faux woodgrain finishes, alongside 12 other options. The combination of the exterior product and matching flashing gives this construction a striking appearance.
You can request samples and view the full-range of woodgrains here.Â
