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 of maintenance tasks.
When talking about exterior wood finishes, there’s always an assumption that it’s about treating your decking, garden shed or fence. Although these are indeed the most common garden features that need maintenance after a winter of wind, rain and freezing temperatures, wooden window frames, doors and porches should also be checked and given attention if required.
Dulux Trade Opaque Coating Systems
It’s all about the knowledge
A question we get asked a lot here at Wood Finishes Direct is “What is the best exterior wood treatment?” Unfortunately, there’s no single product that is better than another for every project and type of wood. In fact, deciding what product should be used can be a complex matter. That’s why we invest heavily in the training of our sales and service team, or as we call them, the SAS team. All of our support staff are rigorously trained so that they’re familiar with the products we stock, their properties and their suitability for any number of given scenarios. This means that we’re always able to give expert advice and guidance on which products and brands are best suited to your project.
Just some of the top brands available at Wood Finishes Direct
Exterior wood finishing types
Essentially, there are two types of exterior wood treatments: those that are absorbed into the surface of the wood, such as oil-based products, and those that form a protective coating on the surface of the wood. Both have their own unique characteristics and benefits.
Penetrative wood treatments
Penetrative wood treatments are products that soak into the wood and protect from within, such as decking oils, shed & fence treatments. These products are predominantly oil- and wax-based. They work by penetrating and then drying in the surface grain of the timber to provide a tough, durable, weather-resistant surface.
Oil-based products are popular for garden decking, sheds and fences.
The key benefit of this type of product is that it’s very easy to apply and maintain. When the finished surface starts to look tired and worn, it’s simply a case of reapplying a fresh coat. No need to sand, strip back or remove the old finish. Wood oils are very forgiving for patch repairs, meaning that localised areas of wear are very easy to repair and blend in with the surrounding areas. Leading brands that specialise in these types of exterior wood finishing products include Osmo, Ronseal, Barrettine and Cuprinol.
Exterior coating systems
What was once the realm of paints and exterior wood varnishes is now dominated by an array of ultra-modern wood coating systems. Whereas old paints and varnishes had a reputation for cracking, flaking and peeling, modern coating systems have been scientifically developed to withstand the effects of weathering and the constant movement of the timber as a result of moisture and temperature changes.
Sikkens exterior wood treatments seal and protect.
Modern exterior wood coatings are flexible and durable, meaning that they rarely need to be stripped back to bare wood if maintained correctly. This makes them a firm favourite for exterior joinery such as wooden window frames and doors. Coatings from brands such as Sadolin and Sikkens are designed in such a way that as the top coat wears over time, it starts to lose some of its colour and sheen. This is an indicator that the finish needs maintenance. Surfaces that require maintenance can be restored by following a few simple steps.
- Wipe down with methylated spirit to degrease the old finish.
- Lightly sand the surface to remove any ingrained surface dirt and debris. This also provides a key for the new top coat.
- Wipe down a second time after sanding with methylated spirit to remove all traces of sanding dust and any residual grease from hands and fingertips.
- Once dry, a fresh top coat can be applied to restore the appearance and maximise protection of the timber.
Other brands that specialise in translucent and opaque exterior coatings include Dulux Trade and Crown Paints. Also, see Sadolin’s Superdec Opaque Wood Protection finish.
Have a question about exterior wood care projects?
If you have an exterior wood care project to tackle and are not sure which product to choose, give our resident wood experts a call. They’re able to provide free, expert wood finishing advice, so that you can make a well-informed choice on which products are suitable for your project.
We love to see before, during and after photos of any wood finishing project. If you would like to share your decking project pictures with us, you can either send us some photos or share them on our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram pages.
260 comments
Reply to John Harbottle:
Hello John,
If the wood has been dried and is ready for treatment then I would recommend the Osmo UV Protection Oil Extra (https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/products/osmo-uv-protection-oil) in the 429 natural finish. This penetrative oil has a minute amount of white pigment in it to counteract the darkening effect that you would normally get with a clear product.
Two thin coats are all that is required for this product and I would recommend finishing your sanding at 120 – 150 grit. This ensures the grain is not too tight for accepting the oil. And test areas as always are recommended to ensure you like the finish that will be achieved and because we do not get many inquiries about Horse Chestnut its important to see how the oil works on this particular wood.
I would also recommend a top up coat annually if exposed to the elements all year round, the horizontal area of the table will wear quick than any other area and if you can avoid standing water this will prolong the life of the oil and in turn the life of the wood.
It is the best product available for leaving the wood looking as natural as possible.
If you have any other questions I am here to help.
All the Best Samantha.
Hi Samantha,
I’m making myself a gardening tool for a project and I was looking for a good finish for a wooden handle. It would have to be durable, water/weather resistant and ideally not have to be reapplied often. I was looking at penetrative treatments but I would be interested in whatever you thought was best.
Thanks very much,
Jack
Reply to Jack Gamble:
Good Afternoon Jack,
Thank you for getting in touch with you enquiry. You could start with Osmo UV Protection Oil Extra (https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/products/osmo-uv-protection-oil) as a starting point, this is a penetrative oil that will slow down the silvering process and help protect the wood from moisture. It requires just two very thin coats for application and so a little goes a long way. I suspect that the 125ml tin will be plenty for you and if stored well can be used for maintenance coat years down the line.
Another option would be to look at Morells Tung Oil (https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/products/morrells-tung-oil). It is a natural, moisture repellent oil, that can be applied in a number of coats and topped up when you feel the wood needs it.
If you take a look at those two and feel free to get back to me if you have any further questions or you can use or contact us (https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/pages/contact) page.
Many Thanks Samantha.
Hi Sam, We bought a few raised garden beds which come in pieces to assemble. The are the normal pre-treated softwood sleepers which are approx 300mm wide x 200mm thick. I thought it may be a good opportunity to protect these and wondered which product would be best. We would like a walnut colour but happy to keep the light green pre-treated colour.
Reply to Subodh Patel:
Good Morning Subodh,
Thank you for getting in touch with your enquiry. You could have a look at a Decking Oil such as the Barrettine Decking Oil (https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/products/barrettine-decking-oil) although marketed for decking it is a very versatile product that can be used for a wide range of projects including your raised bed. The oil will penetrate the wood to give a moisture repellent finish and the colour will slow down the silvering effect of UV damage.
The darkest colour in this range is the Dark Oak, you could also look at the Holzol Decking Oil (https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/collections/decking-oil) which also has some slightly darker colour that may suit your needs.
If there is anything further that I can help with please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind Regards Samantha.
Hi Samantha,
We have just put up contemporary horizontal slat fences from Grange which are described as pressure treated ‘Green Timber’.
We want to use a stain that will give a natural warm golden light colour (like a red cedar, beech or walnut) we really dont want it to look painted.
Please could you recommend something?
Thanks,
Kate
Reply to Kate:
Good Morning Kate,
Thank you for your question. You could have a look at the Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain (https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/products/osmo-wood-stain-protector) this is a penetrative oil that gives colour and protection with just two thin coats. There is a wide range of colours available and sample size sachets, I would recommend these for a test area first as the wood that you are applying to will have an impact on the colour that will be achieved.
The natural oil woodstain can also be intermixed to create an alternate colour if there is not one in the range that gives the desired look. Test areas are strongly recommended and feel free to get back to me if you have any questions.
Kind Regards Samantha.
Hi, i have a number of fence panels which i purchased about 6 months ago, they are pressure treated in a very pale oak looking finish ,however, i want to retain the original colour ( I don’t subscribe to the often description" my panels have turned into a ‘lovely silver’ shade). My query is what would you recommend to treat my fence panels, would a clear finish preservative help keep the present pale oak shade of the wood? Many Thanks.
Reply to Clifford Roe:
Good Morning Clifford,
Thank you for getting in touch with your enquiry. It can be difficult to retain the natural colour of the wood and get good UV protection, so I will recommend two products for you to consider. The first is the Barrettine Decking Oil (https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/products/barrettine-decking-oil) although marketed for decking it is a very versatile product and can be used for a wide range of exterior project. It has UV stabalisers to slow down the silvering, however it will not stop it. With regular maintenance you will be able to maintain a good natural colour for years to come.
The best way to protect wood from UV damage will always be to apply colour, even a light colour, the pigments act as sunscreen and the darker the pigment the better the protection.
The second product to consider is the Osmo UV Protection Oil Extra if your wood is smooth this could be the best clear product on the market for UV protection. It requires two very thin coats for application and so a little goes a long way and is not suitable on rough sawn wood.
Both the above will darken the wood slightly and it is very important to try test areas first to ensure you like the finish that will be achieved. And for extra protection I would also recommend the application of a good preservative first, this will help prevent mould, mildew and rot. A popular choice and one suitable for use under the oils is the Barrettine Premier Universal Preservative (https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/products/barrettine-premier-universal-preservative) which is a clear treatment, that will slightly darken the wood.
If you take a look at the above options and feel free to get back to me if you have any questions at all.
Kind regards Samantha.
I have quite old wooden windows that have been maintained, since new, with sikkens cetol hls plus and cetol filter 7 . I want to take one of them from the current mahogany reddish brown colour to Anthracite Grey (to match RAL 7016). I don’t really want to spend too much as they are coming to their end of life. What product would you recommend? I was considering buying a sample of the OSMO country colour to see if the products were compatible but would be grateful for any advice.