Noka designed by Bainland Lodges with Abodo Vulcan Vertical Grain with a SiOO:X Light Grey coatingNoka designed by Bainland Lodges with Abodo Vulcan Vertical Grain with a SiOO:X Light Grey coating

SiOO:X: the industry-leading silicate-based wood protection system

Gareth Davies
By Gareth Davies
| 3 min read

The natural silver-grey look of weathered timber has become hugely popular. It offers a soft, elegant finish that blends beautifully with both natural and built environments.

The challenge is that natural weathering can take many years and often produces uneven results. SiOO:X®, a patented silicate-based wood protection system from Sweden, solves this by delivering a consistent silver-grey appearance in just months – with proven durability and sustainability. Russwood is proud to be the UK distributor and factory coating partner for SiOO:X. With over 11 years’ experience and extensive testing, we ensure the highest quality application and performance for every project.

Ridgway Mews | Thermopine® SiOO:X Light Grey | Host Architecture | LBJ Design & Build Ltd | Chris Snook Photography

Not all silvers are equal

Russwood have spent years testing a wide range of coating products for their appearance, durability and performance. Many systems on the market claim to emulate the weathered grey look, but our experience shows very different results in practice. Translucent paint systems are prone to cracking and peeling as the paint film deteriorates over time without regular maintenance. Non-film forming ‘stains’ or ‘sacrificial’ coatings are promoted as eroding to reveal naturally weathered timber beneath, but in reality they often appear artificial, with erosion affected by building design and exposure, leading to uneven and inconsistent results. Other silica-based systems are also available, but none have compared to the long-term performance and even silvering achieved with SiOO:X.

Ferry House | SiOO:X Mid Grey coating | AR Design Studio | Martin Gardner Photography

What sets SiOO:X apart?

  • Patented silicate technology, backed by years of research and development
  • Scientifically proven results and exceptional durability
  • Even silvering in as little as 3–4 months
  • Mid and Light Grey variants offer faster results and attractive options whether the customer prefers the pale driftwood effect of Light Grey, or the softer muted tones of Mid Grey 
  • Non-toxic, low VOC, water-based system
  • Fully certified and compatible with specialist fire-retardant treatments (factory-applied and CE marked by Russwood)
  • Ultra-matt finish with no gloss or film layer to peel
  • Low maintenance – can be cleaned or refreshed if desired, but often left to age gracefully
Noka | Abodo Vulcan® Vertical Grain with a SiOO:X Light Grey coating | Bainland Lodge Retreats | Richard Gooding Photography

Guaranteeing quality

To ensure correct specification and guaranteed performance exactly as expected, Russwood and SiOO:X have centralised all pigmented SiOO:X coating exclusively in-house at Russwood.

This ensures:

  • Consistent quality control from timber selection to final finish
  • Full traceability and certification
  • Expert specification guidance and technical support from our UK-based team

Note: Pigmented SiOO:X is designed for specialist factory application only, and is not available for on-site application.

Noka | Abodo Vulcan® Vertical Grain with a SiOO:X Light Grey coating | Bainland Lodge Retreats | Richard Gooding Photography

Confirm authenticity

With silver-grey finishes in high demand, it’s important to ensure you’re receiving genuine SiOO:X – particularly pigmented versions – when sourcing via contractors or third parties. If you’re ever unsure, our team is here to help with honest advice and support. We distribute SiOO:X Original products via our Online Shop, for on site or DIY application. We also offer CPDs and technical sessions for architects and contractors who want to deepen their knowledge of specifying SiOO:X. Our team is always happy to assist with specification queries.

Next steps

Ready to specify SiOO:X? Explore the SiOO:X range or contact our team today to discuss your project.

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Meet Gareth Davies

Head of Technical, R&D

Gareth Davies is Head of Technical and R&D at Russwood, where he leads on product innovation and provides expert technical guidance to clients, specifiers, and colleagues. His areas of expertise include wood science, coatings, fire retardants, fixings, and the performance of timber in the built environment.