The Future is Mineral: KEIM Lignosil Verano, the 2025 Architectural Record Product of the Year

Keim Mineral Coatings Blog

For architects and contractors alike, the aesthetic of aged, silver-gray wood is highly desirable. This natural, patinated look—often seen on mountain chalets after decades of weathering—adds character and depth to a façade. However, achieving this uniform look naturally is a game of chance, taking years and often resulting in blotchy, uneven discoloration based on sun and rain exposure.

Enter KEIM Lignosil Verano Mineral Stain for Wood, the revolutionary product that has been recognized for its innovation by winning the prestigious 2025 Architectural Record Product of the Year award. This achievement is a testament to Keim’s pioneering approach to wood finishing, blending mineral-silicate chemistry with exceptional material health and long-term durability.

This is not a conventional stain—it is a purpose-built graying glaze that delivers the beauty of controlled, natural aging from day one.

The Innovation: Uniform Patina, Not a Temporary Film

KEIM Lignosil Verano redefines exterior wood finishes by utilizing proprietary mineral silicate technology. Unlike traditional wood stains or oils, which rely on organic resins that eventually crack, peel, or fade, Lignosil Verano works on a fundamental chemical level:

Silicate-Based Binding: The pure mineral silicate binder penetrates deep into the wood substrate, creating a strong, permanent bond. Crucially, it is non-film forming. This means the stain will never blister, crack, or peel, eliminating the maintenance headache associated with conventional coatings.
Engineered Graying: Lignosil Verano contains translucent, UV-stable mineral oxide pigments. These pigments are specifically formulated to simulate the natural degradation process caused by sun exposure, ensuring the wood develops a beautiful, uniform silver-gray patina regardless of where it is on the façade. Areas protected from rain age just as beautifully as fully exposed surfaces.
Maximum Breathability: With a diffusion-equivalent air layer thickness (sd-value) of < 0.01 m, the stain is completely vapor permeable. This allows internal moisture within the wood to escape naturally, preventing moisture buildup that leads to decay, rot, and coating failure.

A Commitment to Material Health: Zero VOC, Gold Standard

Keim is globally recognized for its commitment to mineral chemistry, which inherently results in healthier products. Lignosil Verano is a prime example of this philosophy, setting a high standard for sustainability in the industry, one of the key factors that led to its Architectural Record recognition.

Environmental & Health Credentials	Detail
VOC Content	Zero VOC (0–5 g/l), exceeding all major regulatory compliance codes (EPA, LEED, CARB, SCAQMD).
Cradle to Cradle Certified®	Silver (Product), Gold (Material Health) certification.
Harmful Ingredients	Contains no biocides, anti-microbial additives, plasticizers, formaldehyde, or PFAs (Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances).
Sustainability	Binder and color are completely UV-resistant and lightfast, preventing color shift and fading over the product’s life cycle.

Choosing Lignosil Verano means selecting a product that promotes better air quality, material longevity, and responsible manufacturing (backed by Keim’s “100% Green Energy Gold” commitment).

Aesthetic Appeal and Application

Lignosil Verano is designed for aesthetic perfection and ease of use, delivering a beautiful mineral matte-flat sheen with no angular reflection, enhancing the natural texture of the wood.

Color Range: The stain is available in a variety of nature-inspired color tones—including classic shades like Driftwood, Weathered Oak, and Sun Bleached. These subtle tones ensure the wood’s grain and character remain visible.
Application: It is ideal for exterior vertical installations, specifically wood façade cladding with limited dimensional stability. For maximum stain penetration and best results, the wood should ideally have a rough or sawn surface. It can be easily applied by brush, roller, or airless spray.
Not for Traffic: Note that Lignosil Verano is a wood stain designed for vertical façades and is not suitable for decks, traffic surfaces, or wood furniture.

The Clear Choice for Long-Term Beauty

The journey to a perfectly aged, silver-gray wood façade used to be a long, unpredictable waiting game. With KEIM Lignosil Verano, architects and builders now have a technically superior, environmentally responsible solution that delivers the desired aesthetic from the start.

Its blend of mineral-silicate durability, unmatched breathability, and industry-leading sustainability certifications—culminating in the 2025 Architectural Record Product of the Year award—makes it the definitive choice for modern, high-performance wood cladding.