With interior moldings and panels, you create a beautiful and natural decor for your home. Read our blog to find out what to consider when choosing between surface-treated and wood-ready moldings and panels!
Interior panels and moldings have become a popular element in home decor, and the use of real wood in interiors has increased tremendously in recent years. Wood calms, improves acoustics, and brings a piece of nature into the space. The use of wood in interiors has been proven to improve mood and reduce stress. Should you choose a wood-ready or a surface-treated product for your space?
Rim wall woodwork from 12x42 cover molding.
Surface-treated wood as interior molding and panel
With pre-surface-treated interior moldings and panels, you save time and effort. The treated product is ready to be installed as is. Thanks to the treatment, the durability properties of the wood improve even further, and the wood does not darken or fade due to external conditions – the surface remains durable and clean for years.
With different shades and methods of surface treatment, you can greatly influence the atmosphere of the space and create variations you like in the interior. Shades and colors can especially highlight accent surfaces and create clear and sharp boundaries. At the same time, seams remain hidden. It is worth carefully finding out the properties of the surface-treated product to choose exactly the right product for the space. For example, different treatment agents are used for saunas and wet areas than for dry indoor spaces.
Surface treatment is done either during product manufacturing or by treating the ready-to-finish surface yourself. There are many treatment agents, including paints, sauna protectors, and varnishes. One advantage of a surface-treated product is the possibility of re-treatment. At CENT, we use only water-based treatment agents for the surface treatment of our products.
White lacquered Dyyni panel.
White STS4 15x95 interior panel
Untreated, i.e. ready-to-finish molding or panel
Untreated wood has its own term “ready-to-finish wood”. The term refers to planed smooth wood surfaces that have not been treated in any way. You can treat the ready-to-finish surface yourself in any way you want, to your preferred shade and color.
A ready-to-finish product is the best option when you have a specific shade in mind that is not available in ready-made selections. Treatment is easy to do yourself with the right treatment agents and tools. A few good brushes and quality treatment agents are enough for the treatment. Ready-to-finish products are also more affordable, but it is good to allocate time and space for the treatment.
A ready-to-finish surface should always be treated with a treatment suitable for the space. The natural color of wood is fascinating and pleasing – if you want to preserve the natural color of the wood, treat the product, for example, with clear varnish or sauna protector. Always make sure that the treatment is suitable for the intended use. For choosing the right treatment, we recommend consulting a professional.
At Cent, we always recommend treating before installation, as wood reacts to changes in heat and moisture. As the wood moves, untreated surfaces may appear on an already installed panel, which can easily affect the appearance.
