Autumn is an ideal time to make sure that your shed is properly protected to survive the harsh weather of winter. Correctly preparing and treating the wood is simple and means your shed will retain a beautiful finish all year round.
Preparation
Make sure the surface is dry and free from dirt so that the product adheres well. Remove any algae, fungi or moss using an appropriate fungicidal wash. Bare or untreated wood should be pre-treated with an appropriate wood preserver to prevent rot and decay. Wood that has been previously stained, painted or varnished should be stripped back before the new product is applied.
What to apply
Preserver – solvent based wood preservers soak in deeply to protect against mould, dry rot and other wood related diseases. An important consideration is whether the preservative is going to be over-coated with a paint or wood oil. The reason is that many contain a small amount of wax, which (whilst fine when over-coating with an exterior wood oil or decking oil) will repel water-based paints and stains.
Paint – adding colour to a garden shed brings style to your garden by making it stand out or blend in. At all good retailers (both online and in store) there are a wide variety of garden paints to choose from that are ideal for wooden sheds.
Stain – many products used to protect wooden sheds can also be used to colour it at the same time. For example, wood preservatives and exterior wood oils are usually available in both clear and different colours. This can be a great time and money saving option.
How to apply it
With any products, apply them only in dry conditions and when rain or other bad weather is not forecast. The tin will usually advise how long to leave before the shed can be touched or indeed rained on!
Try a test area first to ensure the product sticks and creates the finish you want. If you are applying more than one can, it is advisable to mix them together in a larger container.
Afterwards, remove paint/preserve etc from the brush with a cloth and then wash with water so that the brush is kept in tip-top condition.
When to make the call
Although old sheds that have been lovingly restored can be somewhat charming, there is usually a limit to the amount of time and money you can put invest before it becomes wasteful. Plus, no-one wants a structure that may collapse during a storm or when you’re wrestling the lawnmower out. Sometimes you just need to upgrade.
