Wood Preserver & Aftercare

Every timber building supplied by Direct Sectional Buildings is manufactured & designed to last decades when properly maintained.

While our buildings are supplied with a protective factory-applied treatment where selected, regular maintenance is essential to keep your building looking its best and protected against the British weather.

Whether you’ve purchased a shed, workshop, timber garage, carriage house, stable or field shelter, applying a quality wood preservative will help maintain its appearance while protecting it from moisture, UV exposure and fungal growth.

Compare Your Treatment Options

Whether you choose our standard finish, pressure-treated timber or decide to personalise your building with a decorative wood stain, each option offers its own benefits.

Feature Hazelnut Gold Light Green Tanalised Protek Colours
Factory Applied ✔ ✔ ✖
Pressure Treated ✖ ✔ ✖
Decorative Finish ✔ Natural Weathering ✔
Colour Choice Hazelnut Gold Light Green 50+ Colours
Recoatable ✔ ✔ ✔
Best Suited For Garages, Workshops & Sheds Stables, Field Shelters & Rural Buildings Customers wanting a bespoke finish

Not sure which finish is right for your building? Our friendly team will be happy to recommend the best treatment based on your building, location and the appearance you’re looking to achieve.

Why Treat Timber?

Timber is a natural product that expands and contracts throughout the seasons.

Applying a high-quality wood preservative helps to:

✔ Repel water and reduce moisture absorption

✔ Protect against UV fading

✔ Reduce the risk of mould and algae

✔ Preserve the natural beauty of the timber

✔ Extend the lifespan of your building

✔ Refresh older buildings with a new colour

Routine maintenance is one of the simplest ways to keep your building looking fantastic year after year.

Our Recommended Wood Treatment

We recommend using Protek Wood Stain & Protect, a premium British-made timber treatment trusted by thousands of homeowners and professional timber building manufacturers. It is a water-based treatment available in a wide range of colours and is designed specifically for exterior timber.

Features include:

✔ Water-based formula

✔ Weather resistant

✔ UV resistant

✔ Quick drying

✔ Microporous finish allowing timber to breathe

✔ Low odour

✔ Easy brush or roller application

✔ Available in over 50 traditional and contemporary colours

For more information or to browse the complete range, visit:

Protek Wood Stain & Protect

View the Protek Wood Stain & Protect Range

Popular Timber Colour Options

Choosing the right colour can completely transform the appearance of your timber building.

Natural Timber Colours

Perfect for customers wanting to retain the traditional appearance of softwood.

Popular shades include:

  • Golden Pine
  • Cedar
  • Spruce
  • Chestnut
  • Teak

Ideal for:

  • Timber Garages
  • Workshops
  • Stables
  • Field Shelters

Contemporary Colours

For a modern appearance many customers choose:

  • Anthracite
  • Battleship Grey
  • Charcoal
  • Warm Grey
  • Soft Sage
  • Black Ash

These colours work particularly well with:

  • Black Onduline roofing
  • Black guttering
  • Contemporary landscaping
  • Modern homes

Traditional Country Colours

Perfect for rural settings and equestrian buildings.

Popular shades include:

  • Dark Oak
  • Dark Brown
  • Forest Green
  • Willow
  • Green Oat
  • Seaweed
  • Silver Fir
  • Red Cedar

These colours blend naturally into countryside surroundings while enhancing the character of traditional timber buildings.

How Often Should Timber Be Re-Treated?

This depends on the location of your building and the amount of weather exposure.

As a general guide:

Building Exposure Recommended Re-Treatment
Sheltered Garden Every 3–5 Years
Open Garden Every 2–4 Years
Coastal Locations Every 2–3 Years
South-Facing Elevations Inspect Annually

Regular inspections are recommended to ensure your timber building remains fully protected.

When Should I Apply My First Coat?

If your building has been supplied untreated, apply your chosen preservative as soon as practical after installation.

If your building has already received an initial treatment, simply inspect it annually and recoat when required to maintain the finish.

Always ensure the timber is clean, dry and free from dirt before applying any preservative.

Application Tips

For the best results:

✔ Choose a dry day with mild temperatures.

✔ Avoid rain for at least 24 hours after application.

✔ Stir the preservative thoroughly before use.

✔ Apply using a quality brush or roller.

✔ Apply thin, even coats.

✔ Allow each coat to dry fully before applying the next.

✔ Pay particular attention to exposed areas such as doors, fascia boards, corners and end grain.

With regular care and maintenance, your Direct Sectional Buildings timber building will continue to look fantastic and provide reliable service for many years to come.

Annual Timber Building Checklist

✔ Check roof covering

✔ Inspect external timber

✔ Clean leaves and debris

✔ Check guttering (if fitted)

✔ Recoat where required

✔ Lubricate hinges and locks

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Transparent stains enhance the natural grain while coloured stains provide additional character and protection.

Yes. After cleaning and preparing the timber correctly, most preservative colours can be changed during future maintenance.

Generally no. Interior timber remains dry and protected. Most customers only treat the exterior.

In most cases yes, provided the timber is clean, dry and any loose coating has been removed. Always follow the manufacturer’s preparation guidance.

Many Protek products are suitable for equestrian buildings and animal housing once fully dry. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions before use.

Protek Popular Colours

Ebony

Charcoal

Sage Green

A quality timber building deserves quality aftercare. By carrying out simple maintenance every few years using a trusted wood preservative, you’ll keep your building protected, looking beautiful and performing for decades to come.