Wood Veneer Paneling Discoloration

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Author Message Brian Payne Senior Member Username: brian_payne Post Number: 308 Registered: 01-2014 Posted on Friday, May 05, 2023 - 10:06 am:    We are 4 years past Substantial Completion and the wood wall panels on a project are discoloring. Some darker, some lighter, some in exposed to light conditions, others north facing. Not installed in moisture sensitive areas and no apparent connection between light exposure and the discoloration. Any thoughts? Adhesive? Brian Payne Senior Member Username: brian_payne Post Number: 309 Registered: 01-2014 Posted on Friday, May 05, 2023 - 10:19 am:    Also found an interesting article about Fire-retardant MDF discoloring panels based on the thickness of the adhesive and the thickness of the veneer. https://www.buildinggreen.com/blog/fire-rated-no-formaldehyde-substrates-can-discolor-exotic-veneers Ronald J. Ray, RA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: rjray Post Number: 219 Registered: 04-2004 Posted on Saturday, May 06, 2023 - 09:57 am:    Brian, You did not mention if the discolored panels incorporate a MDF fire-retardant core, so readers have no idea if the referenced article is relevant. Also, it would be helpful to know the wood species and the finish system. I assume the panels are at an interior application. Are they installed on exterior walls, and if so, what is the wall construction? If they are only installed on interior walls, do the rooms on both sides of the wall have year-round temperature and humidity control? David G. Axt, CDT, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 2017 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Monday, May 08, 2023 - 05:33 pm:    At the NW CSI Regional conference last week, Margaret Fisher of AWI gave a great presentation on designing with hardwood veneer. She mentioned this very thing. I recommend that you contact her. Margaret Fisher, (571) 926-5522, mfisher@awinet.org David G. Axt, CDT, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant Axt Consulting LLC Mitchel Taylor, CSI, CDT Junior Member Username: oscardeuce Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2016 Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2023 - 12:31 pm:    Do you have any photos, and are all the panels the same species? Wood can change color even with only artificial light exposure, so I wouldn't rule that out entirely. Stains and dyes can also change color over time. Staining due to fire retardant core is a possibility, but it's usually consistent in the color change so having some panels get lighter and some darker would be unusual.