5 ways to treat exterior wood

Penetrating deep into the wood grain, exterior wood oil replaces the essential oils lost through weathering. It nourishes and seals the surface, protecting the timber from the inside out.

Helping to prevent drying, warping, and splitting, wood oils provide a tough, durable, and waterproofing low-lustre finish. Choose a blend of oil and resin for improved water repellence, or find formulas with enhanced UV filters for an increased shield and protection against sun damage. 

Oils are best applied in thin and even coats with a brush or cloth, and you’ll need to let each coat absorb and dry before re-applying. With shades and finishes available for both softwoods and hardwoods, wood oils are a great choice for decking and garden furniture.

Applying exterior wood stain and wood dyes is a great way to assure your timber is protected from weathering and heavy foot traffic while adding rich colour.

Offering great coverage and long-lasting durability, wood stains help to enhance the natural wood grain for a hardwearing and scuff-resistant finish. You can choose from a variety of colours. 

We recommend those with a wax-enriched formula for enhanced water repellence and a non-slip finish, which is ideal for decking. Resistant to cracking, blistering, and peeling, wood stain saturates the surface. And wood dye penetrates deep into the timber for a rich depth of colour. Depending on the wear, you'll need to re-coat every two to three years.

Available in both clear and coloured options, wood preservers work similarly to stains, dyes, and oils. They provide waterproofing and exterior wood protection against rot and decay. Resistant to mould, algae growth, and woodworm attacks, wood preserver also has UV protectors that resist fading and the natural greying process.

Penetrating the timber for deep protection from within, wood preserver should be applied liberally with an exterior brush. Try soaking the timber for the best results.

This is a great choice for raised beds, fencing, and sheds. A fresh topcoat can be re-applied without sanding back the surface, and once dry, it can be finished with an exterior coat of paint for a considered garden scheme.

Ideal for woodwork including external doors, door frames, timber windows, and gates, exterior varnish wood products provide high-performance protection against UV light and water penetration.

A great choice for previously stained or treated wood, exterior varnish resists the cracking, peeling, and blistering that is common to weathering. For year-round continuous protection, flexible formulas will stretch and shrink with your timber whatever the weather.

Available in clear matt, satin and gloss finishes, varnish helps to enhance the grain of your wood, and it darkens the surface slightly for a rich colour. For the best finish, your surface should be thoroughly prepared. Just use an exterior wood filler on any cracks, and try sanding beforehand for the smoothest application.

Whether you want to freshen up your timber or inject colour with a new scheme, exterior wood painting is the fastest and easiest way to transform your surfaces. Offering protection against fading, peeling, and weather-related wear, wood paints enhance your timber with rich, pigmented colour.

If you're painting over bare or unpainted timber, applying an exterior wood primer is essential. An exterior primer wood layer ensures your topcoat bonds strongly to the timber and protects it from the elements.

Wood paint is available in a wealth of colours, from garden hues and soft pastels to bold statement shades. It's ideal for old garden furniture, tired fence panels, planters, unloved sheds, bird boxes, trellis and timber garden buildings. Best applied with a brush, pump, or paint sprayer, choose non-drip varieties.

Look for ones that are wax-enriched for water repellence, and child and pet-friendly once dry. For the richest and most vibrant colour that still allows the natural wood grain to shine through, we recommend applying two or three even coats.