3 Reasons To Choose A Wooden Lighthouse Over Poly
The most obvious reason for choosing to purchase a wooden lighthouse over a poly one is the price. For a number of years the price difference between wood and poly was not significant, but recently that has changed, poly lumber continues to rise at a faster rate than traditional wood lumber. Depending upon the size of your lighthouse you may find the price difference between wood and poly is several hundred dollars. Price alone makes the wood vs. poly decision for some consumers.
The 2nd argument for a wooden lighthouse is your selection of designs is much larger than with poly. For example, Cape Hatteras is one of America’s most popular lighthouses, its design includes a spiral stripe. The wood lighthouse replica mimics the spiral stripe of the original, this is fairly easy to reproduce by building a wood lighthouse and painting the spiral stripe design onto it.
Poly on the other hand does not respond well to paint, paint does not stick and will crack & peel rather easily. Poly lumber has it’s color added in the manufacturing process, and then designs are created by cutting different colors of poly lumber and fitting them together. This process has its limitations, spiral stripes are not a practical design for poly. Which means your choice of design may determine whether you need to purchase a wood lighthouse over a poly one.
The 3rd reason someone may desire a wooden lighthouse over a poly one is appearance. If you are partial to the look and feel of stained wood, then you may opt for wood over poly. Today’s poly has come a long way, poly wood-grain textures are making their mark in the industry. Still, truth be told there is nothing like genuine woodgrain stained to the color of choice.
How Long Will A Wooden Lighthouse Last?
The lifespan of a wooden lighthouse is contingent upon the environment in which it is placed and the care it is given. Our Amish craftsmen do everything possible to give each wooden lighthouse the optimum amount of resistance to the elements.
Only the best quality weather-resistant, treated, exterior wood signboard is used in the construction process. After our lumber is cut to size and before assembly, the end grains are sealed to prevent wicking of moisture. Joints are fit snuggly, sealed and secured with stainless steel fasteners. Then the lighthouse is painted with durable exterior grade paint, after which it is ready to endure all types of weather conditions.
In the optimum environment a wooden lighthouse can be expected to last 7-10 years with some surviving longer. However in the worst environments the life span can be shortened by several years. (Our large "Wood Smartside" lighthouses have a considerably longer lifespan.)
Extending The Lifespan Of A Wood Lighthouse
Scorching sunlight and persistent moisture are the worst enemies for a wood lighthouse. Follow these tips to extend its life:
- Keep the base of the lighthouse dry, place it on a bed of decorative stone to allow moisture to drain away rather than allowing it to sit on the earth or a bed of mulch.
- Consider bringing it in out of the weather for the harsh winter months.
- Give your lighthouse a fresh coat of sealer each spring, this will help it resist the elements, and brighten its colors.
- Inspect the top for signs of water penetration and decay, at the first sign of moisture getting inside seal the entry hole or purchase a replacement top. Often times it is the top which goes bad first and if replaced early enough you can add a number of years without having to replace the whole lighthouse.
Still have questions? Visit our Lighthouse Buyers Guide for more information. Need help with customization? Please contact us at 484-388-1508, we will be glad to assist you in designing the wooden lighthouse of your dreams.
