What are garden shed treatments?
A garden shed treatment can be any of a number of exterior wood treatments. As with garden fences, decking and other garden wood, garden sheds can be treated with a wood preservative, wood oil, garden paint, stain or a combination of wood care products.
Types of shed treatment
Shed preservative
Although there are wood preservers specifically marketed for sheds and fences, most exterior wood preservatives do the same job and are perfect for use on garden sheds. The job of an exterior wood preserver is to protect wooden sheds from biological threats such as mould, algae, fungi and insect attack.
Exterior wood preservers have traditionally been solvent based. But with new, stricter rules and regulations coming in to force, regarding the use of high V.O.C’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), many new formulations are or will soon be water based.
Garden wood preservers are available in both clear and coloured formulations so sheds can be kept looking natural, or stained to an alternative colour or shade.
Guide to garden fence preservatives.
Oil based shed treatments
Wood oils sold specifically for wooden garden sheds are virtually non-existent. This is a bit of an oddity as shed timbers require as much protection from wind, rain, sun and temperature extremes as any other garden wood. Wood oils are excellent at keeping exterior wood, nourished, supple and weather resistant, as demonstrated by the abundance of wood oils and oil based products for garden fences, wooden decking and garden furniture.
For this reason, we recommend treating wooden sheds with an exterior wood oil or decking oil as part of a regular maintenance program, to keep garden sheds protected and looking great for longer. As with exterior wood preservatives, decking oils are available in both clear and coloured formulations so retaining the natural appearance of a shed or changing the colour is easy.
Garden shed paint
Garden fence paint products are again a bit of an oddity as many products that are labeled as a ‘paint’ are in fact wood stains that gives an opaque, coloured ‘paint like’ finish to wooden fence panels and posts.
Fence paints are ideal for rough sawn timber but can also be used on smoother exterior wood such as garden furniture and benches. They penetrate into the grain of the timber to provide both colour and protection. In recent years, painting garden sheds, fence panels and furniture has become big business with many of the main garden wood care specialists such as Cuprinol, Ronseal, Barrettine, Osmo, all offering a range of opaque, coloured exterior wood treatment products.
Fence Cleaner
Untreated fence panels or those that have not been treated for a number of years can be prone to mould, algae and fungi growth. As well as spoiling the appearance of wooden fences, it can also accelerate the onset of wood rot and decay. Treating areas affected by mould, mildew and other boilogical growth with a suitable fungicidal wash is the best way to treat and kill the spores that cause the green and black stains and growth on fence panels and posts.
Guide to garden fence cleaners.
Garden Fence Stain
A garden fence stain is perhaps the most confusing product to describe being that any product that colours the wood, be it an oil, preservative, paint or stain can all fall under this category. Although there are many dedicated exterior wood stains available from brands such as Sikkens and Sadoline, these tend to be designed more for smooth planed timber such as joinery including door and window frames.
Can’t find the answer to your shed care or maintenance project above? See our frequently asked shed questions and answers page, where we try to answer some of the more commonly asked questions relating to shed care, maintenance, and the various shed treatments.
In addition to tips and advice on garden fence care and maintenance, we also cover decking, sheds and garden furniture.