After a long, hard summer battling with sun, humidity and downpours (even hail on occasions!) garden wood requires attention in the autumn, in preparation for the long winter months ahead.

The number one enemy for wood is water, which can cause swelling and damage to buildings and furniture, reducing their lifespan.  Mould can take hold of wood quickly and frost will attack any exposed areas.

Protection by waterproofing is the key, perhaps adding a splash of colour at the same time to combat the dark winter months.  Protek’s waterproof coatings which allow the timber to breathe and contain fungal inhibitors to protect from mould and decay are ideal.

Hard working garden wood deserves a real treat …

Preparation is essential – clean and dry surfaces are important for adhesion, allowing protective products to make better contact with the timber. The general rule for most garden wood is to clean it thoroughly with warm soapy water and a stiff brush, then rinse and let the surfaces dry completely.

Sheds and garden furniture can be nourished with ‘Protek Wood Protector’– an easy to apply, low odour, breathable, mould resistant, multipurpose wood stain and protector that weatherproofs all outdoor timber, available in 32 colours to suit every type of garden style. RRP £22.99 for 5 litres.

Timber can look as good as new with ‘Protek Royal Exterior – Superior Wood Finish’ – long-lasting, breathable protection with a soft lustre that allows the wood grain to show through, a water-based environmentally friendly product that is low in odour and with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) available in a wide range of 52 colours. RRP £15.98 for 1 litre.
 

SHEDS WIN PRIZES – COMPETITION RESULTS

We had such a great response to our competition that we just had to extend the winners to include 3 of our favourites.

Rory Caffyn-Parsons of Farnham in Surrey won first prize with his pictures of his pool huts. The inspiration for colours came from his wife who selected a combination of Amaranth, Cranberry Crush, Marigold, Parsonage Cream, Peacock Blue & Spruce from the Wood Protector range. The concept was to create pool changing huts from some basic sheds with a fun and vibrant beach hut theme. Although there were doubts as to whether the colour scheme would work, when painting was completed Rory’s wife was proved right and they look fantastic!

Runners up prizes of 20% discount vouchers for our website were awarded to Andy Roberts of Deal in Kent and Alleyne Barlow from Plymouth in Devon.

The next competition will open on January 1st 2012 and run until mid-march 2012 although projects can have taken place prior to the opening date. Look out for prize info in the next newsletter or on the website homepage.

SHEDS WIN PRIZES – 1ST RUNNER UP
Andy Roberts of Deal in Kent

Andy’s ‘shed’ was truly stunning and if the prize was for architectural design alone then he would have won. A very impressive building constructed by Ali Guy from Cornwall using Douglas Fir, also sourced from Cornwall. Soft Sage Wood Protector and Tough Coat were used.

SHEDS WIN PRIZES – 2ndRUNNER UP
Alleyne Barlow from Plymouth in Devon

Alleyne Barlow created a beautiful and relaxing Japanese style garden centred around a pond housing Koi carp. Poppy and Ebony Wood Protector were used to create a dramatic and authentic look.

October is a month full of warm colours, changeable weather and autumn is in full swing.Another busy month in the gardening calendar full of preparations for the next year. A time to dig over beds, refresh tired lawns and finish planting bulbs ready for spring and summer blooms. Exterior timber will also benefit from being fully waterproofed and protected for the coming cold, wet season.

It is also the month of Halloween where we get to return to our childhood by escorting children in scary fancy dress costumes trick or treating around the neighbourhood. This month’s colours are taken from the Royal range and inspired by the glow of pumpkins and colours of a witch riding through the sky on a broomstick with her trusty cat clinging on.

Black is one of the most popular shades in our other wood treatment ranges and at last, it is now available in Shed & Fence.

Shed & Fence paint is a cost effective alternative to creosote. Being water-based and with low VOCs it is also more environmentally friendly. Easily applied by sprayer or brush, it offers great coverage of up to 12m2per litre.

Protek Shed & Fence paint contains wax additives and once applied will provide a water resistant coating making this wood treatment ideal for sheds, fences and animal housing. This attractive and natural looking stain will look cool and dramatic on its own or partnered with an attractive shade from the extensive colour palates in our Wood Protector and Royal Superior Finish ranges.

September heralds the start of autumn with its glorious colours adorning both country and garden. This is a busy month for a gardener to be prepping for the coming winter, planting spring bulbs and enjoying home grown fruit and vegetables.

A month where the final spells of summer sun can reach impressive temperatures, perfect for woodland walks and picnics. Inspired by the turning shades of leaves, this month’s colours show some of the rich reds and browns from our Wood Protector range.

For me, August is buzzing with the sounds and colours of summer holidays. Whether it be a month of madness trying to think of things to do to keep the kids occupied, jetting off to holiday destinations or exploring Britain you can always find some sanctuary in your garden or a well-appointed shed with a lock on the door and electricity connected to help you escape from the outside world.

Inspiration for this month’s colours come from a traditional British day trip to the seaside with sand, donkeys, ice cream and a beach ball.

ROYAL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
SUPERIOR WOOD FINISH

From the hills of Somerset Protek is proud to launch the Royal range, a high quality decorative wood finish for Interior and Exterior usage. Inspired by the lush countryside and rich heritage houses nestled within, the colours in the extensive Royal range are classic, contemporary and fit perfectly with modern design.

Royal has been specifically designed to give long-lasting protection with a soft lustre that allows the wood grain to show through.

Royal Superior Wood Finish is an advanced product that is ideal for highly specified architectural jobs and has been designed for high-end wooden products. It is ideal for use on windows, doors, conservatories, summer houses, gates, cladding, garden furniture, skirting boards, kitchen units, cupboards, furniture & joinery.

The Royal range has been formulated as an environmentally friendly product that is low in odour and with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). The unique formulation is a water-based, microporous acrylic and alkyd hybrid that incorporates a polyurethane dispersion based on linseed oil – a natural renewable resource.

The Royal Interior & Exterior Superior Wood Finish range is available in four colour and finish sections.

Natural Stains has a variety of seventeen wood finishes from clear and tinted to walnut and oak that leave a translucent finish. In the Whites & Off-Whites range there are five colours that when painted will leave a translucent finish building up to a more opaque finish with further coats applied. The Soft Colours range is comprised of eighteen colours from soft greys and browns, through blues and greens to gold and pink. These offer a more solid opaque finish with a soft lustre and can be applied with one coat followed by a couple of coats of Royal Clear to leave a translucent finish with the same amount of protection. The final colour range is Vibrant Colours containing fifteen colours that are darker, or brighter and bolder than in the other ranges. Within Vibrant Colours you will find Teal along with dark blues, greens, black and a vivacious Fuchsia Pink. Being darker colours these will leave an opaque finish but you could again apply one coat with Royal Clear on top for more of a translucent stain finish.

Get in to the royal spirit and treat yourself to some deliciously luxurious wood stain!

The rain fell for the majority of June with the odd spell of sunshine producing some very happy gardens with lush green grass and rampant hedges. With Protek Wood Protector on your fences, garden furniture and sheds the rain will have washed right off leaving you happy in the knowledge that your timber is well protected and looking great!