Wood has antibacterial properties that make it a great material for damp areas in the home, for example. Antibacterial means that the material has properties that kill bacteria or prevent them from multiplying. Wood's antibacterial protection is based on extractives, which are nature's own protective mechanism. For example, conifer resin has been found to have a limiting effect on the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Wood panel dries quickly
Wood is a porous material, which means it dries faster and does not provide a fertile moist surface for bacterial growth. This, combined with the bacteria-fighting extracts in wood, makes it a healthy and safe material for damp areas in the home, such as saunas and washrooms.
Wood also improves the acoustics of damp rooms by preventing sound echo. However, when wood cladding damp rooms, it should be remembered that not all finishes can withstand direct contact with water. It is therefore important to always check the suitability of the product for use in, for example, a sauna. Siparila's product range includes 176 mm wide structural panels and the wonderful HAAPA sauna panels, which take particular account of temperature variations in the sauna.
Design for extra protection for panels
Siparila also contributes to the moisture resistance of wood by shaping the panels. All Siparila panels for wet areas are concealed, which means that the fixing marks are hidden and water cannot damage the wood through nail holes. Concealed fixing also allows for a beautiful, uniform wood surface.
In damp areas of the home, wood also acts as a great equalizer of indoor humidity fluctuations. The natural properties of wood are that it absorbs and releases moisture depending on the environmental conditions.
Read more about the antibacterial properties of wood in an article in TEK magazine
