Topic: Shed wood treatment

[Duke Ellington]

Can anyone reccommend a wood preservative other than the normal wood and fence stain?
I actually like the pale colour of my shed now that it has faded and wondered if there was anything else I use on my shed to protect and preserve and not colour it.

Duke

[OllieC]

Pale creosote is the most environmentally friendly option - far better than all these stupid over designed solutions. And it works!

[grawrc]

There has been a spate of fabulous "designer" sheds on my site cos one of the plotholders is very artistic and is happy to build sheds for other folk from recycled stuff. they have been painted in vinyl emulsion. Yes I was gobsmacked too but they look just fabulous. I'll try to post some photos.

What I don't know is whether you can paint with emulsion over the usual preservative type garden paint. Anyone know?

[Duke Ellington]

Thanks for your ideas grawrc and ollie. I really would love to see those shed photos :)

Duke

[OllieC]

I should explain, when I say "stupid overdesigned solutions..." I mean the complex chemicals that the manufacturers produce, and am not referring to the people who use them!

[grawrc]

Ollie I thought creosote was a poison?

[ceres]

Creosote was banned some time ago - I think 'THEY' decided it was carcinogenic or somesuch.  You can buy creosote substitute - looks the same, smells the same, no idea what the 'chemical' difference.

[grawrc]

I've just googled creosote substitute and it also appears to be harmful to the environment whereas the  water based preservatives are non-toxic.

[OllieC]

Creosote was banned some time ago - I think 'THEY' decided it was carcinogenic or somesuch.  You can buy creosote substitute - looks the same, smells the same, no idea what the 'chemical' difference.

Ha, shows how up to date I am! I was using some the other week but had bought it a few years ago... The trouble is that even the "solvent free" ones involve a manufacturing process that is far from "eco". It's hard to keep a straight face when ICI are preaching about care for the environment. I liked creosote because it was essentially a byproduct of other industries, it breaks down eventually in the soil (unlike most paints - water based or not), it works & it's cheap... I have it on my raised beds.

As it's not an option any more, I shall shut up!

[grawrc]

[attachment=1][attachment=2][attachment=3]

Here  you go!

[grawrc]

[attachment=1][attachment=3]

And a couple more  views....

[glosterwomble]

I was given some 'water repelent' by someone once to seal a brick wall. It was from B & Q and was a clear water like liquid that you just painted on, it dried clear and didn't change the appearance of the brick. I would think that you could use it on wood too. If my memory serves me right it was their own brand (maybe even basic brand) and was in a BIG tin like you would buy engine oil in. Hope that helps.

I also want to say to 'grawrc' those sheds are incredible, I have a love of allotment architecture , I think it always shows such imagination when someone designs and builds something like that from reclaimed materials. Are there any more or is that it?

[grawrc]

That's it for the moment. He's just starting on the next one.

[glosterwomble]

That's it for the moment. He's just starting on the next one.

Really? Can you take pictures as it's being built or is that too nosey?   ::) I want to build something like it myself and would really like to see it being built.

[grawrc]

He won't mind and yes I will provided I'm about when he's doing it. He's building some kind of playroom onto this one for the plotholders' young son.

[glosterwomble]

He won't mind and yes I will provided I'm about when he's doing it. He's building some kind of playroom onto this one for the plotholders' young son.

Brilliant thanks!! I love wonky original sheds like this! Keep up the spirit of the great UK allotment.

[grawrc]

Me too! It's inspired me to "redecorate" mine much more creatively.

[glosterwomble]

Me too! It's inspired me to "redecorate" mine much more creatively.

excellent, you must post pics!! (have we taken over this thread??? Sorry!  :-[ )