In recent years, these beautiful houses have come more into focus. Now the question of proper restoration, maintenance and upkeep of these important to maintaining buildings.

In the past few years the selection of suitable materials for the restoration of half-timbered houses has become very important. Half-timbered houses have been repaired and maintained for hundreds of years. However, in recent decades there have been a number of new materials and methods that have brought more harm than good.

Since wood, when exposed to changing weather conditions, including moisture and strong Ultra-violet sun exposure, can have a great impact on the overall structure within only a few years. For this reason, it is important to use a paint material that protects the wood while keeping the moisture level to a minimum. This can be achieved be using a vapor-permeable and resilient color that can follow the natural shrinkage or changes in the wood, including its dimensional changes.

Pure linseed oil colors without chemical additives, solvents or resins have traditionally been used traditionally for half-timbered houses and are now being increasingly used. Its small molecular size delivers very good penetration and high resistance to weathering conditions. Linseed oil colors remain flexible and are not prone to flaking. The binding quality of linseed oil paints (linseed oil) dries chemically, ie Linseed oil takes oxygen from the air and builds a web-like structure, thereby building a very elastic paint film. By choosing a color with natural earth pigments, additional UV protection is ensured.

Since excessive moisture / wetness usually leads to wood rot, the moisture protection of the truss timbers are of particular importance. This is due to the fact that the lying and facing compartments tend to easily allow the moisture to enter the wood through cracks in the joints. It is a natural process. However, this moisture must be able to dry out easily. Therefore, you need a vapor-permeable material when painting. The water vapor permeability (described by the Sd value) of linseed oil colors is 0.879 to 1.584. That is linseed oil colors have enough permeability to ensure the wood will be water-tight through the entire wooden structure. Though they are also naturally open enough to allow water vapor to pass through to exit the wood. The thickness of the paint film is decisive for a low Sd value. It is therefore necessary to remove old coatings.

Linseed oil paints weather gradually, but only on the surface. If the loses its shine, it can be renewed with a fresh layer of boiled linseed oil.

In Scandinavian countries, you can find wonderful examples of century-old, yet well-preserved half- timbered houses. Linseed oil paints and lime coatings have a long tradition there and have been used through and through. The good properties of natural materials is known there and highly appreciated. The knowledge and experience with these materials have been passed on for generations.