Selecting the Right Wood Finish for your Platform Trailer

In order to be durable for the long-term, all platform trailer decks need to be properly installed and maintained as they are constantly exposed to severe weather conditions.

With wooden decks the exposure to severe weather naturally causes the boards to shrink and swell the wood and subjects the deck to high levels of stress.

Without proper maintenance, even well built trailers utilizing only the most durable and strongest of wood species can potentially develop problems such as checks and cracks, raised grain, and mildew, thus increasing the risk of decay and insect attack (and ultimately floor failure) as the natural process of weathering occurs.

Because of these risks, lumber used in most platform trailer decks is usually pressure treated with a preservative, or is a naturally durable wood such as Apitong, Parangelim, Purpleheart, Oak or Douglas Fir. 

Regularly applying an additional finish to wood decks has been proven to be the most cost-effective way to prolong the life of your deck and minimize the problems of cracking, raised grain, and mildew growth.

Apitong Oil by ExoShield is a MADE IN THE USA product which offers superior protection for wood applications on platform trailers. Our secret formula protects your trailer's deck while allowing the natural beauty of the wood to remain the focus.

Using a proprietary blend of Tung Oil, Fungicide, and Trans-oxide pigments, the exclusive Apitong Oil formula provides long-lasting penetrative protection for exterior wood applications while using only the finest components.

The use of Tung Oil originated thousands of years ago in China where it was used as a preservative on wooden ships. Today it is the woodworkers’ #1 choice to add protection and beauty to a finished project. Apitong Oil takes advantage of the penetrative and protective properties that Tung Oil serves to create a naturally durable and long-lasting deck finish. The Tung Oil used in our Apitong Oil formulation contributes to provide a naturally water-resistant, acid-resistant, and easy to use deck finish. Apitong Oil also greatly reduces the chances of boards either cracking or warping when correctly applied.

Fungicide is an key component to maintaining the timeless beauty of your exterior wood project. Apitong Oil not only offers protection from harmful UV rays and water damage, but it also includes a fungicide in the formula that will keep your decking in top shape, and free of fungus, mould and mildew. This is just another reason why Apitong Oil is the answer for all exterior wood applications on platform trailers.

To further protect your deck from the sun's harmful UV rays we use trans-oxide pigments in Apitong Oil, adding to the longevity of the structure and color. The pigments used in our Apitong Oil will bring out and protect the natural colors of the wood it’s used on, providing a long-lasting vivid result. Apitong Oil will lengthen the lifespan of the wood's original color, delaying the graying process. When applied every one to two years, your deck will maintain a nearly brand-new appearance, with very little maintenance.

To learn more about Apitong Oil by ExoShield please visit us at https://www.trailerdecking.com/ProductID4029 or call 1-855-APITONG

Angelim Pedra VS Apitong: Which Flooring Material Is Right For You? [INFOGRAPHIC]

For years, Asian Apitong has been the standard hardwood choice for trailer flooring and truck bed applications. More recently, another hardwood species has made an impact on the trailer flooring world: Angelim Pedra. Both are great options for industrial uses such as trailer flooring, but which is the right choice for you?

The following infographic compares the two species by four important metrics; hardness, strength, stiffness, and density. We hope this helps shed some light on the issue and gives you the information you need to decide which is best for you. Enjoy!

As you can see, both varieties have their pros and cons. Angelim Pedra beats Apitong in both hardness and density, while Apitong is the clear choice in terms of strength and stiffness. Both are superior trailer flooring products, so the choice is often a matter of personal preference. Which do you prefer? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Caring for Your Apitong Deck, Part 1: Environmental Dangers

Unless you leave your truck in the garage 24/7, your flatbed trailer will naturally be exposed to the elements. This exposure can cause major damage to your hardwood trailer decking material. In this series, we'll take a look at the different environmental dangers facing your Apitong wood trailer, the best ways to prevent exposure-related problems, and what to do if damage occurs. Today we'll be focusing on the different ways changes in temperature, humidity, and air quality can harm your trailer boards.

Moisture and Humidity
Wood is a hygroscopic material, which means it naturally takes on and gives off water to adjust to its surrounding environment. Wood shrinks and swells when it lose or gains moisture below its fiber saturation point. This natural behavior is responsible for some of the problems encountered when wood dries. For example, cracks and checks can result from stresses induced in a piece of wood that is drying. As the piece dries, it develops a moisture gradient across its section (more dry on the outside, more wet on the inside). The dry outer shell wants to shrink as it dries below fiber saturation; however, the wetter core constrains the shell, which can cause small cracks called “surface checking” or “season checking” to form on the surface.

Temperature Changes
Moisture isn't the only enemy of Apitong trailer decking; high temperatures can also potentially damage your floors. Damage of this nature typically takes the form of shrinkage to the face of the decking. The result is abnormally large spacing between boards. This can also sometimes be accompanied by concave cupping of the deck boards.

Sunlight

Much like your own skin, excessive exposure to the sun can cause major damage to the cellular structure of Apitong trailer decking. UV rays break down the materials that hold the wood fibers together. You have seen how UV rays can destroy your deck chairs and cushions – the same holds true for your Apitong floors!

Keep in mind that wood is a product of nature and, as such, will acclimate to its surrounding environment. Even properly seasoned decking can change dimensions after installation given the right conditions. It is important to understand that excessive seasonal swings during summer and winter will take their toll on decking.

Tune in next week when we'll be taking a look at a few of the ways you can prevent exposure damage by applying the right finish. If you can't wait a week, give us a call at 1-855-APITONG; we'd be glad to answer your questions!

Welcome to the Official TrailerDecking.com Blog!

Welcome to the brand new TrailerDecking.com Blog, your source for news and information about the trailer and truck decking and flooring industry.

At TrailerDecking.com, we strive to keep our customer’s wheels turning and their businesses running strong. The vision of TrailerDecking.com is to be the customer's first choice for Apitong flooring and related trailer and truck products. We meet the needs of our customers by offering a value package that includes an assortment of innovative products and a high level of personal service.

At TrailerDecking.com, our goal is to be the toughest, strongest, and smartest Apitong flooring provider in the country. Here's how we do it:

Tough
We bring the unmatched and time-tested advantages of Apitong products to truck trailers, bodies and related equipment. By providing physical and mechanical properties not found in other wood species, Apitong provides the value, durability and reliability that so many of our customers demand.

Smart
We set up TrailerDecking.com on the premise that our customers didn't want to pay any unnecessary mark-ups to brokers and wholesalers who don't add value to the transaction. We buy all our material directly from the manufacturers overseas, we inspect it ourselves, and we don't use brokers or wholesalers to get the job done.

Strong
Led by our dedicated customer sales and service team, Trailerdecking.com is the only company that offers you a complete one-stop solution for all your Apitong wood product needs. With a diverse product offering, multiple locations throughout the country, and quick order turnaround times, we back our customers with our strong network of service and support to fill each customer’s specific needs.

Contact TrailerDecking.com now to discover all the benefits of Apitong products and see how Trailerdecking.com can work for your business.