DecoWood FAQs

How does the process work?
DecoWood™ is made using a process called Photo Imaging, which works as follows:

1. The aluminium is powder coated in a base colour.


2. It is then wrapped in a film with a photographic image of wood grain printed onto it and a vacuum sucks the air out to ensure the film is touching the surface of the aluminium.


3. The aluminium is then put in the oven at 200 degrees Celsius for a specific period of time, during which the inks from the film are absorbed into the powder coating.


4. The aluminium is taken out of the oven and the film is removed, revealing the DecoWood finish.

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Where else in the world is this technology used?

There are over 350 Decoral photo imaging machines throughout the world. The greatest concentration of plants is in Europe where more than 50% of the aluminium windows sold in Southern Europe now have a beautiful wood grain finish.

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Is the finish durable?

The DecoWood finish has undergone extensive testing for durability and complies with all relevant international and Australian standards. For example, extreme exposure testing is constantly carried out in Miami, USA and Venice, Italy to determine the durability of the finish in extreme environmental conditions. In these locations, the finish is exposed to high levels of UV radiation, salt spray and industrial pollution, which is a combination most likely to induce corrosion. The DecoWood finish has a high resistance to these conditions over a long period of time.

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Is any painting required?

With DecoWood, you never have to paint, stain or oil it, saving you time and money.

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What happens if I scratch it?
The timber grain pattern penetrates the full depth of the powder coating, so if you scratch the DecoWood finish you simply treat it like a scratch on your car and polish out the scratch without affecting the wood grain pattern. For more severe scratches, colour-matched touch up paint is available. However, the DecoWood powder coating is harder than standard powder coating, so it is much more difficult to scratch.

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What colours are available?

Please view the DecoWood Colour Range brochure to see the range of DecoWood finishes. All colours are available in either textured or smooth finishes. Please contact our office on 02 4871 2277 for swatch samples of the finishes.

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Is the finish expensive?

It is difficult to provide a direct comparison to timber as it depends on which product you are using (such as windows, doors, fencing, etc.), although it is probably similar to hardwood products. However, DecoWood saves you money because you never have to paint it as you do with timber. It is also more durable than timber, so you will not have to replace it as often.

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Are there any special care or maintenance requirements for this finish?

DecoWood has the same maintenance requirements as plain colour powder coating. Basically all that is required is a wash down with warm soapy water every one to three months, depending on your environmental conditions. Please visit the “Care and Maintenance” page of our website for more information: www.deco.net.au.