Cherry Wood Patina

Understanding Cherry Wood Patina and Color Change Over Time

Cherry wood is renowned for its rich, warm tones and beautiful grain patterns, making it a popular choice for fine furniture and cabinetry. One of the most distinctive characteristics of cherry wood is its natural ability to develop a patina and change color over time. Here’s why this transformation occurs, and what can be done to mitigate unwanted or uneven results:

Why Cherry Wood Changes Color:

Photodegredation: The effect on the appearance of exposed wood surfaces caused by exposure to both sun and artificial light sources. Some woods, such as American cherry, walnut, and maple are more susceptible than others to photodegradation. This effect is most obvious in elevations of wall panels or cabinets where a portion of the elevation is exposed daily to sun or strong light while another portion is constantly shaded. Over time, there will be a distinct color difference between the two portions. The rate of change cannot be determined. Solid lumber will changed at a different rate than veneer. This effect cannot be prevented, but can be slowed through selection of UV protective finishing material and/or its impact reduced through stain color selection. This effect cannot be reversed.
Oxidation: As cherry wood is exposed to air, it undergoes a natural oxidation process. This chemical reaction between the wood and oxygen contributes to the gradual darkening and richening of its color.

Rate of Color Change:

The rate at which cherry wood will change color is dependent on the duration and intensity of UV light exposure, the type of finish used, whether the cherry is veneer or solid wood, and the unique characteristics of the particular piece of cherry.

Below, a piece of cherry veneer was placed in a south facing window with exposure to direct sunlight. The image on the left was at initial placement, the image on the right was after 72 hours.

Receiving, Storage, Installation, and Maintenance Recommendations:

To avoid uneven, or accellerated color change of ASI Architectural cherry products, the following recommendations are made:

Receiving & Storage: Follow the receiving, acclimation, and storage instructions found in ASI Architectural the products installation instructions. In addition, to prevent uneven change in color of the wood, ensure that the product is out of direct sunlight, or covered with no corners or edges exposed.

Installation: If the product will not be exposed to direct sunlight after the project is finished, ensure during installation that it remains out of direct sunlight. Do not leave equipment in front of the product like ladders, scaffolding, etc. that will cast a shadow and unevenly change the color of the wood.

Maintenance: Dust regularly with a soft cloth and avoid using harsh chemicals that could affect the wood’s natural aging process.

For additional information, visit our website at www.asiarchitectural.com, or reach out to your project manager or sales representative.