Are Anker Stuy's coatings compatible with Qwood window and door profiles?

Anker Stuy and Qwood

With both Anker Stuy and Qwood becoming increasingly popular across the British joinery industry, it was only time before we would start getting the questions about compatability. In collaboration with Quantum the company behind Qwood, we ran tests that really put our paint through its paces with Qwood. 

What is Qwood? 

Qwood profiles are rigid timber composite extrusions of PVC blended with wood fibres. The wood used is derived from enduring forestry of new spruce and beech wood fibres which are sourced from sustainable PEFC and FSC certified forest stands. Qwood profiles reflect the natural appearance and feel of wood whilst still retaining the beneficial properties of PVC.

Appearance & finish
» Wood like appearance, without knots, always straight
» Highly smooth surface finish which can be painted
» Usually supplied in a natural finish

Applications & use
Qwood profiles can be used for interior or exterior applications where weathering
and durability is required or as an alternative solution to straight lengths of
timber (with minimal waste) e.g.
» Profiles for the timber window industry (window beads, sills etc.)
» Profiles for the timber and composite industry
» Building industry (cladding etc.)
» Trims (furniture etc.)

Physical properties & benefits
» Cut and trimmed with standard wood working tools
» Fixed with nails, screws and/or adhesives
» Excellent moisture absorption resistance
» Minimal expansion/contraction (compared to timber)
» Does not rot
» Flame retardant
» Consistently straight
» No sanding or pre-paint preparation required

Anker Stuy testing facilities

As you may know, Anker Stuy Coatings have a state of the R&D laboratory in the Netherlands, where we are always looking to improve our coatings and stay ahead of the game. We test all of our products to the highest possible standards as stipulated by KOMO accreditation. This is why our coatings have a better early water up-take resistance than our competitors. When testing with Qwood beads we maintained these high standards to rigously test our Hydrolux water-based exterior coatings system.

The test

Qwood profiles are rigid timber composite extrusions of PVC blended with wood fibres.
When used for glazing beads or equivalent applications in the joinery industry, these beads will be overcoated with the same coating systems as used for the timber joinery. For that reason, the adhesion and durability of all relevant joinery products of Anker Stuy Coatings UK were tested and compatibility of these systems with Qwood beads was evaluated.

The following products were tested:

17-0535 Hydrolux Base Primer (white and dark grey RAL 7026)
17-0540 Hydrolux Filler Primer (white)
17-0648 Hydrolux Topcoat (white and dark grey RAL 7026)

After drying the beads underwent the following tests to simulate harsh winter conditions:

• 72 hr immersion in water + 24 hr freezing at -18°
• This is repeated 3 times, after each cycle samples are assessed
  visually for blisters or other defects. Weight increase after each
  cycle is recorded as a measure of water uptake.
• After 3 cycles the adhesion by X-cut tape test is performed.
• Hereafter samples are subjected to 3 more immersion-freezing
  cycles.

Conclusions

17-0535 Hydrolux Base Primer and 17-0540 Hydrolux Filler have excellent adhesion after immersion in water and show no to very limited blistering if finished with one coat of topcoat. Furthermore, the grey 17-0535 Hydrolux Base Primer with two coats of grey 17-0648 Hydrolux Topcoat also did not result in blisters.

17-0648 Hydrolux topcoat in two coats directly applied on Qwood shows an excellent adhesion but shows development of small blisters with increasing cycles of water immersion-freezing.

Pretreatment has only a minor impact on blistering. Sanding and overcoating within 48 hrs seems to reduce the risk of blistering for those systems that have a tendency for small blister development.

ADVICE FOR SPECIFICATION

If Qwood beads are used in windows or doors, it is recommended to apply one or two coats of either 17-0535 Hydrolux Base Primer or 17-0540 Hydrolux Filler Primer, followed by one or 2 coats of 17-0648 Hydrolux Topcoat (Hydrolux topcoat also available in 17-0649 semi-gloss and 17-0650 gloss). Through our extensive in-house testing, as well as live weathering trials, we have been able to establish that our materials work very well during the vulnerable curing phase, on standard timber, engineered timbers and now on Qwood too.

If you are considering Qwood as an alternative to timber beading, then you should feel confident in choosing Anker Stuy Coatings to finish your joinery work.

If you would like to read the full report then click here.