Moisture conditions in coated exterior wood Part 4: Theoretical basis for observed behaviour. A computer modelling study

The improved model proved capable of predicting levels of moisture uptake and moisture content, and of predicting the moisture gradients observed in practice. It also provided an explanation of some of the observed patterns of wood moisture movement reported in earlier parts of this series of papers. In particular it explained why, when water is absorbed by coated timber, the rise in surface moisture content appears not to exceed FSP. Additionally it provided an understanding of the continuing penetration of moisture in depth during the early stages of drying. This is a significant conclusion, because it imposes a limitation, in principle, on the performance of high permeability wood coatings.