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Texturing wood

To create textures on wooden surfaces, the softer earlywood components are brushed out whilst the harder latewood remains intact, forming the desired relief-like texture.

Why and how ist wood getting structured?

Textured wooden surfaces create a valuable and high-quality appearance. They are popular in various areas of application and contribute significantly to a rustic and antique wood look.

The interplay between the type of wood and the brush results in an individual depth structure in the surface. The principle is simple:

Wood consists of earlywood and latewood. The early wood can be described as “softer” wood, which can be “brushed out” with the help of a brushing tool. The late wood is harder and does not peel off, resulting in the desired surface structure.

Numerous parameters contribute to the processing result, and some cannot be influenced. Since wood is a natural material, the internal structure of the wood (annual rings, grain) varies. Due to the different wood characteristics, such as the raw density, some types of wood are more suitable for structuring work than others.

Wood can be textured both mechanically and by using a hand brush. Brushes with (brass-plated) steel wire or abrasive bristles are primarily suitable for processing. We offer solutions for industrial wood processing as well as do-it-yourself brushes for DIY use on drills or angle grinders.

Choosing the right brush

Different types of wood require special processing tools. Due to the fact that wood is a natural product, the microstructure and the resulting wood structure are individual. Nevertheless, a basic classification can be made between softwoods and hardwoods:

Softwoods (raw density < 0.55 g/cm²): Abrasive bristle with silicon carbide or (brass-plated) steel wire
- Caution: For finely structured softwoods, a brush with a small wire diameter should be used. The small wire ends reach interstices better and can follow the wood grain more easily than abrasive bristles.
- When structuring with sanding bristle, no subsequent "re-sanding" step is necessary - in cause of the sanding bristle, protruding wood splinters are removed in the same operation.
Hardwoods (raw density > 0.55 g/cm²): (brass-plated) steel wire

When brushes with wire filaments are used, we recommend finishing with an abrasive bristle. This step removes protruding wood splinters and small wood fibers. The previously obtained deep structure will remain, only unevenness will be removed.

Application example: Structuring a spruce plank

Spruce is a softwood which is ideal for structuring, because the "soft" early wood components are particularly pronounced in softwoods. It has a fine and tight structure. The early wood can be easily brushed out with the help of brass-coated steel wire. After releasing the structure, any protruding wood splinters should be removed using a fine-grained abrasive bristle.

Initial state

The base is a trimmed, dressed and planed spruce plank. In the end it should have an antique and rustic wood look.

Structuring - Process step 1

No further wood preparation is required before the structuring process can begin.

The plank has a fine and tight grain. We work with a brass-coated steel wire brush to reach all the early wood parts. A relatively small wire diameter is used in order to be able to brush out narrow fibers, resulting in the desired fine spruce structure. The bristles of the brush also remain flexible, allowing the individual strands of the wire to follow the grain of the plank. The aim of the first processing step is to work out the required depth structure.

Structuring - Process step 2

While creating the desired structure, small wood splinters are created which will not detach from the plank. The surface appears rough and should be re-sanded, especially for applications such as terrace planks.

Primary, the use of a brush with abrasive bristles is suitable. This contains individual, fine abrasive particles that remove the wood splinters and cleanly sand out the resulting “valleys” of the deep structure. Fine grits (e.g. 120 grit) are suitable for reworking, as the thread diameter of the sanding bristles remains small in order to settle into the narrow grain.

Q&A and frequently asked questions

In which direction do I have to guide my brushing tool when I want to structure wood?

The tool must always be guided along the grain direction. For optimal and complete brushing out of the softwood components, the brush should be guided both forwards and backwards.

Is the brushed wood surface rough?

No, fibers and smaller wood segments, as with a rough-sawn surface, are removed by brushing. For a particularly smooth finish, we recommend using brushes with abrasive bristles and a fine grit. These are ideal for finishing after structuring with (brass-coated) steel wire to smooth the surface and remove small, protruding wood splinters.

Do I need a power tool for texturing?

Depending on the purpose, the frequency and also the surface to be worked on, it is up to the worker whether he wants to work with a power tool or with a hand brush.
In principle, a hand brush can achieve a comparable work result as, for example, a drill.
The principle is identical; with the help of the brush trim, the soft early wood is brushed out in the direction of the grain to achieve the desired, rustic look.

What parameters can I adjust when I have the feeling that the grain is not coming out sufficiently?

Increase the number of repetitions (repeat several times)
Use a smaller wire diameter
Reduce feed speed
If adjustable: Increase the setting/structure depth
If adjustable: Adjust the number of rotations

Common sources of errors whilst structuring

I have burn marks in the wood, what can I do about it?

Avoid long, punctual work in order to reduce the thermal effects on the wood.
Reduce contact pressure: contact pressure increases heat development and promotes burn marks and discoloration.
In general, softwood, especially needlewood (e.g. spruce), causes heat to rise more quickly. These types of wood should be processed with particular care when structuring.
- Why is this the case? Needlewoods in particular gasify more quickly. A practical example is the burning of spruce wood in a wood stove.

Indentations or depressions form on the surface, what can I do about this?

Avoid long, punctual work to prevent uneven material removal.
Pay attention to even feed speed and contact pressure.
Try to achieve the longest possible machining paths to minimize the frequency of tool pick-up and set-down.

Dark stains are forming on the wood surface, what can I do about this?

Is the processing material oak, birch, walnut or ash wood? These types of wood contain tannic acid (tannins). These react with metallic trimmings (wire brush), resulting in brown spots. In the case of wood species with tannic acid content, abrasive trimming should be used due to the discoloration.
A high residual moisture of the wood also increases the formation of stains.

Wood types and their structures

The achievable surface structure depends on many factors. While some factors can be influenced, many are beyond the control of the processor.

The main focus is on the properties of the wood, as these cannot be changed. When we are dealing with natural raw materials, fluctuations occur. This applies to both its physical characteristics and its internal structure. Due to its growth, every tree is unique: early and late wood proportions vary, and knots appear particularly in the knots.

The achievable depth structure of the surface is limited, especially with hardwoods. In addition to the actual hardness of the wood, the “softer” early wood plays a decisive role. The early wood sections are particularly pronounced in softwoods, which is why a good depth structure can be achieved here.

Some of the conventional European wood species and their surface structures are shown below.

Examples of strucutred softwoods

Spruce

This light-coloured type with a raw density of 0.47 g/cm² is classified as a softwood.
Spruce is a cost-effective building material and therefore used as standard for various purposes. Before use, it is important to treat spruce wood appropriately so that moisture is unable to enter. It is then suitable for cladding, fencing, building garden sheds or carports, making panels or furniture, for example.

Pine

Pine is a softwood with a raw density of 0.52 g/cm². It is considered robust and stable. Long beams free of knotholes can be obtained from it. Pine can therefore be used as construction timber, for example in roof and drywall construction. Pine wood is also used in furniture manufacturing, where it shines with its natural grain, which is often used for furniture surfaces.

Alder

Alder has a raw density of 0.53 g/cm² and is water-resistant. This quality is best utilised when the alder wood component is used in direct water contact. For example, as floodgates, water pipes or in mill construction. It is easy to pickle and can therefore imitate precious woods in furniture construction. The wood is also suitable for transport crates or pallets, as well as for instrument manufacturing.

Examples of structured hardwoods

Cherry

With a gross density of 0.60 g/cm², cherry wood is a hardwood. The red-brown color intensity decreases from the inside to the outside, but overall it is a dark wood. The wood also has an even structure. Proper polishing and staining can ensure that the wood surface does not change color. This means that high-quality furniture, laminates and kitchen worktops can be made from cherry wood.

Maple

This type of wood is light in color and is a hardwood with a density of 0.61 g/cm². Maple is elastic, but does not expand very much with temperature fluctuations. This property makes it suitable for making music instruments. Maple is also often used to make furniture. It tends to be used less as a construction timber for outdoor use, as it darkens due to UV radiation.

Oak

With a gross density of 0.67 g/cm², this type of wood is part of the hardwoods. The wood is gray-brown and contains tannic acid. This makes it less susceptible to woodworms and resistant to moisture. In addition, components made of oak can be subjected to stress: In addition to exterior doors, timber framing, solid furniture, flooring, stairs and kitchen worktops, it can also be used for construction near water or in water itself. It is therefore generally very suitable as construction wood.

Elm

With a gross density of 0.68 g/cm², elm wood is a hardwood. Its color is reminiscent of chocolate brown. Despite its hardness, elm is easy to work and shape. It is suitable for furniture production and interior design. Elm wood is less popular for outdoor furnishings as it has hardly any resistant properties and is therefore sensitive to weather and pest infestation.

Beech

With a gross density of 0.69 g/cm², this type of wood is very hard and heavy. The coloring is slightly reddish and the color intensity increases from the outside to the inside. Beech is used for parquet or for the construction of furniture and cutlery. It is also used outdoor, for example for ship masts or garden furniture. Beech wood is not suitable for building. The wood should also be handled with care. On the one hand, to prevent fungal infestation. On the other hand, to prevent moisture from escaping and the resulting contraction of the wood.

Ash

Ash wood has a gross density of 0.69 g/cm² and is therefore a hardwood. It comes in various shades of brown, the younger the tree, the lighter the color. The wood grain is uneven. Ash can be easily processed by machine or by hand and is suitable for furniture production and interior fittings. Ash wood is not very suitable for outdoor use as it is not weather-resistant.

Acacia

Acacia wood is a hardwood with a density of more than 0.69 g/cm². It comes in various shades of color and has an irregular pattern. It is resistant and consistent, making it suitable for interior fittings and bridge construction. Due to its hardness, it is often used for solid furniture. But this also makes it difficult to create fine finishes such as scrollwork. This is why furniture made from acacia often has straight lines. When using acacia wood, care should be taken to maintain a constant room temperature and humidity to prevent strong movement in the wood.