The Evolution of Woodhouse Weatherproof, H3 LOSP, Pink Primed, Finger-Jointed Pine. By Campbell McInnes

In the construction industry, the choice of materials is critical for building strong and lasting structures. Staying innovative is essential for success. One company that stands out for its quality and innovation is Woodhouse Timber Company. With over forty years in the business, Woodhouse is well-known in the timber industry for its excellent products and commitment to customer satisfaction. This article explores the ongoing development and advantages of Woodhouse’s Weatherproof® timber range, showcasing Woodhouse’s dedication to providing durable and high-quality options for builders and homeowners.

 

Above: A completed home showing a variety of Weatherproof products.

 

A LEGACY OF QUALITY

Founded in 1983 by Chris Woodhouse, Woodhouse Timber Company has become synonymous with quality timber products in Australia. What began as a small warehouse in Brisbane has blossomed into a national operation, that is still family owned and operated, and serves as a premier wholesaler of both interior and exterior timber products. Celebrating its 40th anniversary last year, covered by Timber Trader News in its May/Jun 2023 issue, the company has continually evolved while remaining steadfast in its commitment to exceptional customer service and high- quality offerings.

At the heart of Woodhouse’s success lies the flagship products: Woodhouse Weatherproof exterior timber and Woodhouse EdgeLineTM interior moulding products. I sat down with Woodhouse’s Product Manager, Brendan King to discuss the recent developments of the Weatherproof product, which is easily recognisable across building sites thanks to its distinctive “Woodhouse Pink Primer”, a testament to its popularity and widespread use.

 

Above: Homes under construction, various stages of painting, ready for top coat.

 

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

Woodhouse’s commitment to quality assurance is evident in every aspect of its operations. The Weatherproof range is crafted from premium plantation radiata pine, sourced from sustainable forests.

The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C120464) certification is a hallmark of their commitment to environmental stewardship. By opting for FSC®-certified Woodhouse timber, consumers can contribute to the preservation of forests and the sustainability of timber resources. Radiata pine, cultivated in New Zealand, adheres to stringent environmental regulations and codes of practice, ensuring that its production minimally impacts the environment.

The treatment process of Woodhouse Weatherproof timber involves a Light Organic Solvent Preservative (LOSP), which provides robust protection against fungal decay and termite damage. This treatment comes with a 25-year guarantee.

Using the factory priming process with Dulux® Industrial Coating provides a protective layer that, when maintained correctly, also comes with a remarkable 25-year guarantee. This assurance gives builders and homeowners peace of mind, knowing they are investing in durable and resilient materials.

 

Above: Roof trusses constructed from Weatherproof.

 

COLLABORATION WITH DULUX: THE WEATHERPROOF ADVANTAGE

King explained, “in late 2018, Dulux contacted Woodhouse Timber to partner with them on a new version of their architectural primer. Dulux highlighted that the new formula offered improved UV and humidity resistance, alongside a low odour, making it a superior primer overall”.

Understanding that the time between installation and painting can often span weeks, and sometimes several months, was a key consideration. Dulux focused on creating a primer capable of withstanding UV exposure to the Australian elements.

This primer seemed perfect for Woodhouse’s Weatherproof range, however Woodhouse needed to ensure its performance before incorporating it into their products. King emphasised, “The development process was rigorous and comprehensive. For two years, Woodhouse and Dulux worked closely, implementing a meticulous trial program designed to evaluate the new primer across a range of various Australian conditions and the challenges posed by environmental exposure”.

First, Woodhouse and Dulux worked with manufacturing partners in New Zealand to ensure the primer would deliver better amenities to workers during application onto LOSP treated timber. King said, “Oil-based paints can have a strong odour when sprayed onto products in the production line.” King added, “Reducing these odours was important to all participants in the trial.”

Next, performance trials were designed to rigorously test the new primer’s capabilities, focusing on three key areas:

1. Application and blocking resistance: This aspect evaluated the primer’s ease of use and its ability to prevent sticking between painted surfaces.

2. Laboratory testing: This comprehensive phase included:

  • Accelerated weathering simulations
  • Various adhesion tests
  • Physical external weathering tests conducted in Australia’s harsh climate.

3. Market testing: This practical phase involved on-site evaluations at construction projects, where researchers examined:

  • The installation process
  • Its weathering resistance during the initial stages of construction
  • Feedback from trade painters regarding their experience applying topcoats over the new primer.

All tests had successful outcomes, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from industry professionals. King noted “the consistently positive results led to the official launch of the Weatherproof architectural primer in January 2021”. This new Dulux primer now comes with an impressive 25-year guarantee against common issues such as flaking, blistering, and adhesion failures, which gives Woodhouse confidence in its durability and effectiveness in the market.

 

Above: A common sight on construction sites across Australia, Weatherproof Pink!

A REVOLUTIONARY PRIMER

The new Weatherproof primer is an oil-based formulation, which aligns with the Light Organic Solvent Preservative (LOSP) treatment used on the timber. Despite the emergence of water-based alternatives, the oil-based primer formulation offers unique advantages, particularly in terms of compatibility with various topcoats.

This oil-based approach has been a staple in the industry for decades, proven effective over solvent-based preservatives like those used in the LOSP treated Weatherproof range. Now, three and a half years after its introduction to the market, the new primer has consistently demonstrated its superior performance. King stated, “there is a high satisfaction with the primer’s performance, noting an absence of adhesion issues or warranty for any claims”.

This track record of reliability further cements the Weatherproof range’s position as a leader in the exterior timber market. This success underscores Woodhouse’s dedication to quality and reliability.

WOODHOUSE PINK AND TRADEMARKS

Pink primer has a significant history in Australia’s construction and painting industries, particular for external use on timber. Pink primer was traditionally a mixture of red and white lead pigments. This combination created the distinctive pink colour that became synonymous with primed exterior timber in Australia.

The use of lead-based paints, including pink primer, was used extensively in Australian homes built before 1950. Between the late 50’s and early 70’s, there was a gradual reduction in the quantity of lead pigment used for tinting or colouring paints. Lead-based pink primer is no longer used due to health and environmental concerns.

When asked why Woodhouse use the colour pink for their Weatherproof product, King said, “this was summed up well by Chris Woodhouse in the Timber Trader News May/ Jun 2023 editorial where he said, “The simple story behind the pink, back then, if you wanted to use a piece of timber externally, you had to prime it and the primer was pink”. Woodhouse today continues to carry on the old tradition of using pink primer for their external Weatherproof products.

These days Woodhouse have Trademarked their “Woodhouse PinkTM” colour for use in exterior softwood timbers. In addition, they also have a Trademark for their “WeatherproofTM” name.

 

Above: Posts and trims in Weatherproof Pink, commonly used in new housing construction.

OPTIMIZING TOPCOATS: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PERFORMANCE

While the primer forms the essential first layer of protection, selecting the right topcoat is crucial for optimal performance. There are a range of reputable brands that offer durable and UV-resistant exterior paints; however, King states, “Woodhouse recommends using Dulux Weathershield® exterior paint. The Dulux Weathershield product line complements the Weatherproof system perfectly”.

As a water-based acrylic paint with a self- undercoating system, Weathershield can be applied directly to the Weatherproof primed product after standard surface preparation. This compatibility streamlines the painting process and ensures optimal adhesion and performance. King added “by using Dulux Weathershield on top of the Woodhouse Weatherproof primer, end-users can have complete confidence in their timber protection system. They benefit from two high-quality paint products from one of the industry’s leading professional paint companies, creating a robust and long- lasting finish”. Furthermore, he added, “in addition to the 25-year guarantee Dulux offer on the Weatherproof primer, Dulux also offers a Limited Lifetime guarantee on the Weathershield topcoat as well”.

Water-based paints provide excellent flexibility and UV resistance, making them a favoured choice for outdoor applications. They tend to perform better in managing the expansion and contraction of timber substrates compared to traditional oil-based paints. However, the latter may still be suitable for specific applications, such as window and door trims.

TOPCOAT COLOUR SELECTION

When selecting a topcoat colour, it’s crucial for builders and homeowners to consider the impact on the timber substrate. Dark colours with a light reflective value (LRV) of 44 and below can absorb more light, causing surface temperatures to rise.

For softwood products like those in the Weatherproof range, this can lead to surface checking, distortion, and resin bleed. To mitigate these risks, Woodhouse recommends choosing paint colours with an LRV of 45 and above.

 

 

PAINTING BEST PRACTICES: ENSURING LONGEVITY

To maximize the performance of Woodhouse Weatherproof products, a systematic approach to painting is essential. Optimum performance of the Woodhouse Weatherproof product is achieved when finishing topcoats are applied within eight weeks of installation. If more time has elapsed and the primer appears chalky or loose, affected areas should be lightly sanded and re-coated with a high-quality wood primer. Any cut ends, notches or penetrations should be resealed with an in-can timber preservative, and reprimed. Nail holes should be filled with wood filler and sanded to an even finish. Finally, the timber should be free from dirt and other contaminants prior to applying two or more coats of a premium exterior topcoat. In some instances, cladding and linings boards may benefit from the application of an initial topcoat prior to installation. For more information, see the painting guide on the Woodhouse website.

 

 

LOOKING AHEAD: CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

While Woodhouse is proud of its Weatherproof product range, the journey of innovation does not end here. The team at Woodhouse is actively pursuing new technologies to further enhance their products. King states, “we are continuing to research and develop our products, with our aim to introduce additional features that will elevate the performance of Weatherproof timber”.

The dedication to quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction has made Woodhouse Timber Company a respected name in the timber industry. The partnership with Dulux exemplifies their commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness to market needs.

Above: Quality topcoat used on Weatherproof provides an aesthetic, long lasting and easy to maintain home.

Above: Built for purpose, quality timber solutions, designed for Australia’s harsh environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

Woodhouse Weatherproof H3 LOSP Pink Primed Pine products represent a significant advancement in timber construction materials. Through a blend of innovative design, quality assurance, and sustainable practices, Woodhouse has created a product that stands resilient against the elements while delivering peace of mind to builders and homeowners. King said, “the comfort for Woodhouse in making the right decision comes with the fact that we have had zero issues relating to adhesion, creaking or warranty claims, when using the new Dulux Weatherproof primer”.

As the industry continues to evolve, Woodhouse remains at the forefront, driven by a passion to provide quality timber solutions that cater to the demands of modern construction. With ongoing partnerships and a commitment to innovation, the future looks promising for Woodhouse and its customers. King advised, “we are currently working on yet another specific innovation for the Weatherproof product range, which we hope to release early next year”.

For more information about warranty details, safety data sheets, and technical specifications, visit the Woodhouse website: woodhouse.com.au.

Registered trademarks include Weatherproof®, Woodhouse PinkTM, EdgeLineTM, Dulux® and Weathershield®.