A fire-retardant lacquer for wood is a transparent coating that moves timber into the group of low-combustibility materials while preserving its natural texture and colour. Unlike an opaque paint, the lacquer does not hide the grain, so it is chosen where the appearance of the wood matters: for parquet, planken, stairs and designer interiors. Below we look at where fire-retardant lacquer is used, how it differs from paint, how the surface is prepared, how the compound is applied and how the protection is maintained in service.
Purpose
Wood is a combustible material: under fire it ignites and sustains burning. A fire-retardant lacquer forms a thin protective film on the surface that, when heated, slows ignition and the spread of flame over the structure. This buys time for evacuation and for fire-suppression systems and reduces the fire load of the room. At the same time the lacquer stays transparent and performs a second task — decorative and protective: it emphasises the texture of the wood and protects it from abrasion, moisture and dirt.
Where it is used
Fire-retardant lacquer is used for wooden elements that must stay visible:
- Parquet, engineered board and wooden floors in public and residential spaces.
- Planken and facade boards, the wooden trim of entrance groups and terraces.
- Wall panels, slatted ceilings and decorative beams in interiors.
- Stairs, railings, and elements of furniture and built-in structures made of solid wood.
For hidden wooden structures (rafter systems, battens, attic floors), where appearance does not matter, opaque fire-retardant compounds are more often used. A transparent lacquer is the solution specifically for visible, “designer” timber.
Lacquer or paint
Both fire-retardant lacquer and fire-retardant paint solve one task — they reduce the combustibility of wood. The difference is in the result on the surface:
- A transparent lacquer preserves the natural pattern and colour of the wood, so it suits interiors and projects where aesthetics matter.
- An opaque paint forms a non-transparent layer and hides the texture — it is chosen for concealed structures where fire protection is the only priority.
The choice between them depends on whether the element is visible and what requirements for appearance and service conditions the project sets.
Surface preparation
How firmly the lacquer adheres and how long the coating lasts depend directly on preparing the substrate:
- Cleaning. The surface is freed of old lacquers, paints, wax and oils, glue residue and dirt.
- Sanding. The wood is sanded to an even matte surface and dedusted — so the lacquer gets a reliable bond.
- Dry substrate. The wood must be dry; the compound is not applied to a damp or freshly painted surface.
- Temperature conditions. Work is carried out under the conditions recommended for the compound, without draughts and dust.
Application
The fire-retardant effect is achieved only with a sufficient amount of applied material, so the lacquer is applied in coats, observing the consumption rate:
- Applying in coats. The compound is applied with a brush, roller or spray in even coats, without gaps or runs.
- Inter-coat drying. Each coat is allowed to dry before the next is applied — this provides the required thickness of the protective film.
- Consumption control. The required number of coats and the consumption are taken from the technical information for the specific lacquer — these are what deliver the stated protection class.
- Final drying. Before being put into service, the coating is allowed to develop its properties fully.
Exact parameters (consumption, number of coats, drying time) are provided for your facility together with the technical information for the material.
Care and renewal
A lacquer coating on floors, stairs and other loaded surfaces wears over time. So that the fire protection and the decorative layer keep their properties, the coating is inspected periodically and renewed:
- In areas of heavy load, watch for abrasion and loss of gloss.
- Damaged and worn areas are cleaned, sanded where needed and re-coated with the same compound.
- Use mild products for washing and care that do not damage the film.
Such care is inexpensive and extends the service life of wooden structures without redoing the whole coating.
STABITERM material
For the transparent fire protection of visible timber, the STABITERM 107 fire-retardant lacquer is used: it turns wood into a low-combustibility material while preserving its texture and colour, and at the same time serves as a protective and decorative coating. We select the compound for the type of surface and service conditions, calculate consumption and provide technical information for the material.
Examples
Why STABITERM
- Transparent fire protection that preserves the look of the wood — for parquet, planken and designer interiors.
- Materials in stock in Tashkent, next-day delivery to cities across the republic.
- Many years of use on facilities in Uzbekistan — proven effectiveness and long service life.
- Valid certificates and test reports from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- Compound selection per surface type, consumption calculation and a technical information package.
Need a fire-retardant lacquer for wood at your facility? Leave a request — we will select the compound and calculate consumption →
More about the service: Fire-retardant varnish for wood in Tashkent and Uzbekistan →