SiOO:X inspiration: a weathered look without the wait

Zoë Armstrong
By Zoë Armstrong
| 4 min read

Weathering is a natural process which occurs to all timber when it is exposed to the elements, resulting in the timber turning a silver grey colour. The building’s design, location and elevation all affect the rate of weathering, with some areas potentially taking years longer – if at all – to weather fully.

SiOO:X is an innovative Swedish impregnation system which allows you to achieve a weathered look for your project at an accelerated rate, eliminating the risk of differential weathering taking place. This blog showcases some of our all-time favourite Russwood projects which have employed the use of this remarkable product.

Thermopine® Factory Coated with SiOO:X | Temple Farm Recreation Centre, Chelmsford | International Bible Students Association | AR Photography | Left (newly applied) Right (4 years post installation)

Abodo Vulcan Vertical Grain cladding | Chris Lea Photography

Cardrona Cabin

SiOO:X is an ideal choice for those who desire the weathered look for their project but want it to happen quickly and uniformly around the building. SiOO:X lends a modern and striking visual allure to this standalone cabin, which is clad with Abodo® in a modern vertical arrangement. The thermally modified Abodo® cladding means this impressive cabin in the heart of Cardrona Valley can withstand the harsh alpine climate of New Zealand’s South Island, while the SiOO:X offers a beautifully consistent colour to the façade.

SILA Select® Siberian Larch factory coated with SiOO:X Mid Grey and VG SILA decking | Fiddes Architects | David Barbour Photography
SILA Select® Siberian Larch factory coated with SiOO:X Mid Grey and VG SILA decking | Fiddes Architects | David Barbour Photography

Tummel, Craigmyle

Upon installation, SiOO:X begins a rapid curing process, with any initial patchiness fading out over a period of 10-16 weeks. Our Light Grey and Mid Grey options will give more immediate colour to the timber. These pigmented options are a highly popular choice amongst architects and homeowners due to the more immediate and long lasting colour. SiOO:X Mid Grey and Light Grey have been developed specifically for use with fine-sawn or Microtex® surfaces and, due to the mixing and application requirements of the pigmented products, are only available as factory-applied coatings.

This modern and serene home environment in Craigmyle employs SiOO:X Mid Grey on its gable end, which features both horizontal and vertical cladding, to eliminate differential weathering effects, and add to its aesthetically pleasing exterior.

SILA Select® Siberian Larch factory coated with SiOO:X Mid Grey, fixed with L-GoFix® screws | Richard Gooding Photography
SILA Select® Siberian Larch Cladding factory coated with SiOO:X Mid Grey, fixed with L-GoFix® screws | Richard Gooding Photography

Private home, Kent

This ultra-modern project in Kent serves as a perfect example of the benefits of incorporating SiOO:X into your design. If left uncoated, the soffits and areas which are sheltered from the elements would never have weathered, creating a ‘patchy’ effect; but with SiOO:X, this issue is eliminated completely. The Mid Grey colour chosen by the client gives a rapid coloured effect and harmoniously complements the coastal surroundings of the building.

SILA Select® Cladding Off-Sawn, factory coated with SiOO:X Light Grey | Gerry Robb Architectural Design | Brudon Joinery Ltd
SILA Select® Cladding Off-Sawn, factory coated with SiOO:X Light Grey | Gerry Robb Architectural Design | Brudon Joinery Ltd

Private Home, Aberdeenshire

Mixed width vertical cladding adds visual character to the exterior of the building – a popular trend we are seeing in a wide range of projects. The aesthetic of this traditional Aberdeenshire home has been elevated by using a SiOO:X Light Grey coating to give it a flawless appearance and make it stand out against the greenery of its surroundings.

Moxon office clad with Brushed Thermopine® Cladding Factory Coated with RAL 9005 + soffits coated with SiOO:X Light Grey
Brushed Thermopine® Cladding Factory Coated with RAL 9005 | Moxon Architects | Timothy Soar Photography

Moxon Office, Crathie

This gorgeous project combines two different finishes to achieve a striking visual contrast. Dark painted Thermopine® cladding is coupled with SiOO:X Light Grey coated SILA Select® Siberian Larch to create to create a modern, sleek office space at this architect practice’s Scottish headquarters. A project we can’t get enough of!

SIOO:X Original can be purchased through our Online Shop for application on-site. SiOO:X Original, Mid Grey and Light Grey can all be factory-applied to Russwood’s timber cladding.

Interested in using SiOO:X on your next project?

Get in touch with a member of our Sales team who will be happy to assist you.

Meet Zoë Armstrong

Marketing & Events Coordinator

Zoë Armstrong is Russwood’s Marketing and Events Coordinator, where she combines creativity, strategic thinking, and attention to detail to deliver impactful brand experiences. She plays a key role in shaping and executing Russwood’s event strategy - planning and coordinating events that engage architects and industry professionals with insightful, design-led content.

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