When you are using wood in and around your garden, whether it is in the form of a fence, a shed, or even a bench, it is important to know that you need to treat your wood to give it the best chances against mother nature. From driving rain, harsh frosts and the blazing sun, wood is subjected to the elements, and without the right treatment can become brittle and unattractive much quicker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a number of different types of wood treatment currently on the market. With some boasting a number of different qualities, and with many doing the same thing just worded slightly differently, so finding the right one for you can sometimes be a bit of a minefield. The first thing to consider is the type of wood that you are protecting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Softwood<\/strong> Hardwood<\/strong> Other than a good quality preserve, there are two main types of treatment or protection that you can use for your external wooden features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have softwood in your garden, you might need to consider treating the wood with a preserve to seal the wood before you use any other type of paint or stain. This will help to protect the wood from the elements and from absorbing too much of the paint. Ideally, this will be with a water-resistant and mould protection treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hardwood is more durable than its softwood counterpart. Meaning that it can withstand being open to the elements for longer periods of time without significant damage. However, it will mean the wood has a more weathered appearance. To avoid this, ensure that you treat your hardwood with a good stain, preserve or paint as soon as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhich Should I Use?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n