Advice

How to Clean & Maintain Wood Floors - The Essential Guide
How to Clean & Maintain Wood Floors - The Essential Guide
|Alison Oakes
Perfectly finished wooden floors can be the highlight of any home. Wood has been used for centuries for its natural strength and beauty and remains the material of choice for... Read more...
How to Clean Decking
How to Clean Decking
|Alison Oakes
Sun, rain, frost, humidity, snow, sleet… we get it all in Britain, and every year our weather breaks yet another record: the wettest, hottest, driest, coldest. As you can imagine,... Read more...
Paint brush on top of decking
Top Treatment for Balau Decking
|Alison Oakes
Native to Southeast Asia, Balau is a popular hardwood decking choice. Naturally durable and resistant to the elements, Balau has a high oil content that acts as a protective barrier.... Read more...
wooden-garden-gate
Garden Gates - The Essential Guide
|Alison Oakes
The humble garden gate – it’s easy to think of it as just a necessary fixture of the garden, a continuation of the garden fence or wall and merely a... Read more...
Why Paint Strippers Often Fail
Why Paint Strippers Often Fail
|Tim Hagger
Have you had problems with paint stripper? If so, you’re not alone. People are having all sorts of issues with paint-removing products, through no fault of their own. So we... Read more...
Should I Stain or Paint a Fence?
Should I Stain or Paint a Fence?
|Alison Oakes
It’s time to give your fence a much-needed makeover, but you can’t decide whether you need to stain or paint your fence. So, first of all, what’s the difference and... Read more...
Before you Buy — Osmo Door Oil
Before you Buy — Osmo Door Oil
|Alison Oakes
In this video, Jay from Wood Finishes Direct will explain what to consider before buying Osmo Door Oil. Door Oil FAQ Can I use a wood oil on my interior... Read more...
wood decay
What is Wood Rot?
|Tim Hagger
The sun is out and temperatures are on the rise. This is the time when we venture out to the garden to survey the surroundings and draw up the list... Read more...
exterior-wood-treatment-featured-image
Which is the best exterior wood treatment?
|Alison Oakes
The sun is out and temperatures are on the rise. This is the time when we venture out to the garden to survey the surroundings and draw up the list... Read more...
wooden-worktop-blog-thumb
Which is the Best Oil For Wooden Worktops?
|Alison Oakes
Kitchen worktops come in a huge variety of materials and styles, from man-made laminate and composite materials to natural materials such as stone, granite, quartz and wood. All of these... Read more...
Worn Out Kitchen Worktops and Cupboards? Here's How to Maintain Them...
Worn Out Kitchen Worktops and Cupboards? Here's How to Maintain Them...
|Tim Hagger
If your kitchen is anything like most people’s, it’ll be a busy, bustling place full of action and fun, food preparation, pets and children. Over their lifetime, kitchen units come... Read more...
Discover Graphenstone Paints
Discover Graphenstone Paints
|Dave Macey
We’re excited to introduce Graphenstone – a range of breathable, mineral-based paints ideal for older homes with lime plaster and render, alongside versatile finishes for everyday decorating. Read more...
Two Years On: How Did These Shed Finishes Perform?
Two Years On: How Did These Shed Finishes Perform?
|Erica D-B
Two years ago, we put four popular wood finishes to the test on a tired-looking garden shed. Watch our video to how they have performed. Read more...
From Rotten Timber to a Lasting Repair
Is it Possible to Repair Cracked or Rotten Wood?
|James Heming
If you’re wondering how to repair rotten timber, the good news is that damage doesn’t necessarily mean replacing an entire window, door, sill or section of joinery. If the damage... Read more...
Colourful weatherboarded house using Sadolin Superdec
Sadolin Superdec: 3 Years Later – How Did It Perform?
|James Heming
Claims about durability are easy to make when a coating has just been applied. The more useful question is: what does it look like after several years of real British... Read more...
Sandtex Microseal paint
When Is It Too Late to Paint Masonry? A Guide to September & October Masonry Painting
|Erica D-B
Sandtex Microseal Masonry Paint. Colour: Mid Stone If you’re planning to paint the exterior of your home, September and October can be some of the best – and most frustrating... Read more...
Garden fence and decking makeover using exterior wood finishes
How to Protect and Transform a New-Build Garden’s Fencing, Pergola and Decking
|James Heming
Follow Yasmin and Tom’s garden makeover and learn how to choose, prepare and apply the right finishes for fencing, exterior timber and decking. Read more...
painting prepared decking with a brush
How to Paint Decking for a Long-Lasting Finish
|James Heming
See how we transformed an old, weathered deck using careful cleaning, sanding, wood preserver and two coats of decking paint — plus the results after one year of regular use. Read more...
Which-decking-product-should-I-use
Which Decking Product Should I Use? Oil, Stain or Paint Explained
|James Heming
Choosing a decking treatment should be simple. Then you discover decking oils, stains, paints, preservers, water-based formulas, solvent-based formulas and enough colour choices to cover a small housing estate. Get... Read more...
Video - Sadolin Quick Dry UV Protection Woodstain
Video - Sadolin Quick Dry UV Protection Woodstain
|Dave Macey
Discover the next generation in premium woodcare with Sadolin Quick Dry UV Protection Woodstain, now in stock at Wood Finishes Direct. This water-based, ultra-durable wood stain is perfect for both... Read more...
Fence Treatments
Which Fence Treatment Performs Best? We Put 8 Popular Products to the Test
|Erica D-B
Previous video in this series: How to Restore Grey Fence Panels With so many fence treatments on the market all claiming to offer long-lasting protection, choosing the right one can... Read more...
Summer House restored with Cuprinol Garden Shades
2 Years Later… Did Cuprinol Garden Shades Hold Up?
|Erica D-B
There’s something satisfying about bringing a tired old garden building back to life, especially when it’s seen better days. This summer house project was exactly that: weathered timber, worn surfaces,... Read more...
Summer House Makeover with Cuprinol Garden Shades
Transforming a Tired Summer House
|Erica D-B
This weathered, worn summerhouse was in need of some serious attention and was the perfect candidate for a full refresh. Watch to see how, with the right preparation and a... Read more...
Reviving a grey fence with a wood restorer or reviver, vs cleaner
How to Restore Grey Fence Panels
|Erica D-B
In this video, we test Barrettine Mould & Mildew Cleaner against Osmo Wood Reviver Power Gel on a weathered fence panel to show exactly how they perform. If your decking,... Read more...
Why use a decking preserver?
Why Use A Decking Preserver?
|Erica D-B
It’s a question we hear all the time: do you really need a decking preserver, or can you go straight in with your oil, paint or stain? The short answer... Read more...
How to Revive Your Roof WIndow
How-to Guide: Reviving a Roof Window Frame
|Erica D-B
If your roof window is looking tired – with peeling varnish, darkened wood, maybe even a bit of mould – it’s easy to assume the only option is a full... Read more...
Driveway, decking and patio cleaner test
Driveway, Decking & Patio Cleaner - Real Life Test
|Erica D-B
After a long winter, patios and driveways can end up covered in algae, grime and stubborn stains. In this video we put Barrettine’s Knock-Out Driveway, Decking & Patio Cleaner to... Read more...
Painting a Kitchen - full kitchen makeover from start to finish
Painting a Kitchen: From New Plaster to Final Finish
|Erica D-B
This project follows the complete transformation of a tired, 20-year-old new-build kitchen into a clean, modern space. What begins as a dated room with ageing units and worn tiles quickly... Read more...
Decking Wood Revivers vs Cleaners: We Test 4 Popular Products
Decking Wood Revivers vs Cleaners: We Test 4 Popular Products
|James Heming
Grey, tired-looking decking can sometimes appear so far gone that replacement feels like the only sensible option. Before reaching for the crowbar—or quietly arranging a bonfire—it may simply need introduced... Read more...
Wood Trends 2026
Wood Finish Trends 2026 - Why Wood is the Hero
|Erica D-B
In 2026, wood is no longer the background material quietly supporting a scheme. It’s the hero surface. Across interiors, we’re seeing a decisive shift to restoring, enhancing and protecting rather... Read more...
New - Earthborn Colours
New - Earthborn Colours
|Erica D-B
Step into Earthborn’s 2026 Colours – a delightful palette that makes you feel as if you’ve just wandered into a storybook. Think Wind in the Willows or a perfect place... Read more...
Mould in the Home: Why It Happens, How to Fix It Properly, and What the Law Now Requires
Mould in the Home: Why It Happens, How to Fix It Properly, and What the Law Now Requires
|Erica D-B
Mould is something almost every homeowner or tenant will encounter at some point. It’s often dismissed as a cosmetic nuisance – something to wipe away or paint over – but... Read more...
How to Use PeelAway to Safely Remove Years of Paint
How to Use PeelAway to Safely Remove Years of Paint
|Erica D-B
We tested both products included in the PeelAway 1 & 7 Test Kit in part one of our guide to using PeelAway. We found that PeelAway 1 paint stripper was... Read more...
Which Peelaway Paint Remover Should You Use?
Which Peelaway Paint Remover Should You Use?
|Erica D-B
If you’re tackling a paint-stripping project for the first time, choosing the right product can feel daunting. That’s why we’ve put together a beginner’s guide to help you start using... Read more...
How to test paint samples properly
How to Use Paint Tester Pots Properly
|Erica D-B
Paint tester pots are brilliant for narrowing down colour choices – but only if you use them the right way. One of the biggest mistakes people make is slapping tester... Read more...
Stocking Filler Gift Guide for Woodcare lovers
The Utimate Woodcare Gift Guide
|Erica D-B
The elves at Wood Finishes Direct would like to show you their picks of the season for stocking fillers. If you’re searching for woodcare gifts that are both thoughtful and... Read more...
Video - Complete Guide to Using Bona Traffic GO on New Wood Floors
Video - Complete Guide to Using Bona Traffic GO on New Wood Floors
|Dave Macey
Watch this beautiful herringbone floor go from freshly laid to fully protected with Bona Traffic GO. In this full walk-through, you’ll see the key stages of gap filling, priming and... Read more...
Can One Tin Really Do it All?
Can One Tin Really Do it All?
|Erica D-B
Trade Satinwood vs. Self-Priming Eggshell: Which Wins? We’ve put two popular finishes to the test – a trade satinwood paint and an eggshell that promises you can skip the primer... Read more...
Ciranova - Invisible & Tough Wood Protection
Ciranova - Invisible & Tough Wood Protection
|Erica D-B
Looking for a wood floor that keeps a natural look while delivering powerful protection? The Ciranova Plus Range is designed to do exactly that – combining an invisible finish with... Read more...
Video - Zinsser BIN Primer | How to Block Stains & Get Perfect Results
Video - Zinsser BIN Primer | How to Block Stains & Get Perfect Results
|Dave Macey
If you’re tackling tricky painting jobs where stains keep bleeding through, Zinsser BIN Primer is a game-changer. In this video, we put it to the test on a 20-year-old pine... Read more...
Transform Your Pumpkins with 'Dead' Flat Paint
Transform Your Pumpkins with 'Dead' Flat Paint
|Erica D-B
If you’re tackling tricky painting jobs where stains keep bleeding through, Zinsser BIN Primer is a game-changer. In this video, we put it to the test on a 20-year-old pine... Read more...
Video - Stain Blocking Primers - Which is Best?
Video - Stain Blocking Primers - Which is Best?
|Erica D-B
Are all stain-blocking primers made equal? When dealing with old stains or discoloured surfaces, a standard undercoat often fails to cover problem areas. A dedicated stain-blocking primer is essential. We... Read more...
Little Greene Paint - Blue Verditer
Welcoming Little Greene Paints
|Erica D-B
The family-owned British manufacturer Little Greene is renowned for creating exceptional paints using natural pigments, giving each shade stunning depth and nuance. We are excited to now stock their collections... Read more...
Video: Revive Your Floor - How to Recoat with Osmo Polyx-Oil the Right Way
Video: Revive Your Floor - How to Recoat with Osmo Polyx-Oil the Right Way
|Dave Macey
Give your wood surfaces a quick refresh with this simple Osmo Polyx-Oil maintenance coat! In this video, we show you how to restore tired wood — whether it’s flooring, furniture,... Read more...
Video - Little Greene Paints at Wood Finishes Direct | Premium Colours & Intelligent Paint Range
Video - Little Greene Paints at Wood Finishes Direct | Premium Colours & Intelligent Paint Range
|Dave Macey
Little Greene paints are now available at Wood Finishes Direct, offering a premium range of eco-friendly, high-performance paints for every surface. In this video, John Ruston from Little Greene introduces... Read more...
Video - Osmo Oil - Osmo Wood Wax Extra Thin 1101 Product Test
Video - Osmo Oil - Osmo Wood Wax Extra Thin 1101 Product Test
|Dave Macey
Have you ever wondered which oil is right for your mahogany furniture? Which Osmo oil is suitable for hardwood flooring? Or how to treat teak, iroko, beech, mahogany, ash or... Read more...
Video - Top Shed Paints & Oils Compared
Video - Top Shed Paints & Oils Compared
|Dave Macey
Is your shed in need of a refresh ahead of the summer months? Watch our video to see how to prepare tired-looking shed timber and finish it with paint or... Read more...
Video - A Guide to Barrettine Decking Oil
Video - A Guide to Barrettine Decking Oil
|Dave Macey
Barrettine Decking Oil is a high-quality product that has been formulated to protect and enhance your decking. Its advanced formula contains natural oils and resins that penetrate deeply into the... Read more...
Sadolin Superdec Stands Out in this Real World Project: The Blue House
Sadolin Superdec Stands Out in this Real World Project: The Blue House
|Dave Macey
There are plenty of exterior coatings available. Sadolin Superdec has a combination of features that makes it particularly useful for exterior timber as well as other substrates. It’s self-priming and... Read more...
Video - The Exterior Paint That Does It All: Sadolin Superdec Explained
Video - The Exterior Paint That Does It All: Sadolin Superdec Explained
|Dave Macey
Want to revamp tired uPVC, wood, metal or even old cladding? Sadolin Superdec might be the only exterior paint you’ll ever need! In this quick video, we show you why... Read more...