Wood Weathering under Natural and Artificial Conditions: Mechanisms and Degradation Processes

Weathering is one of the most common degradation processes in exposed environments, significantly affecting the aesthetics, durability, and performance of wood. It is a key topic in the field of wood science and technology, focusing on the behavior of wood under long-term environmental exposure. This review aims to examine the mechanisms of wood weathering, including both natural and artificial processes, their effects on wood properties, and potential mitigation strategies. The study is based on existing scientific literature related to wood degradation. Natural weathering occurs in unprotected wood due to factors such as solar radiation, temperature fluctuations, moisture, and oxygen, whereas artificial weathering simulates these conditions under controlled settings for research and evaluation. Weathering results in discolouration, surface degradation, and changes in physical, chemical, and structural properties, mainly due to photodegradation and moisture interactions. Untreated wood undergoes progressive deterioration, while various treatments, including chemical modification, nano-deposition, mechanical processing, and surface modification, can improve its resistance. Overall, weathering remains a major challenge, and the development of sustainable and advanced protective techniques is essential to enhance the durability and long-term performance of wood in changing environmental conditions.