Treated versions of this building are sprayed inside and out with a water-based base coat of treatment in a light brown colour. To keep this building in best condition, we recommend giving it a top coat of treatment within 6 months of assembly, or as soon as you like (normally possible straight away). Treating your shed is an important part of keeping the building weatherproof as it helps to seal the timber and repel water. Please note small areas such as the inside of doors may not be reached by the spray and it is normal to have some irregularities and drying marks from the treatment process. Untreated buildings should be treated as soon as possible. We recommend buildings are re-treated every year, though the higher the quality of wood preservative, the longer the protection should last.
What should I use to treat my building?
The two main categories of timber preservative are water based and spirit based (which is also known as oil or solvent based). Spirit based treatments are traditionally considered to give better protection, however, improvements in water based treatments mean some now give as good protection whilst being more environmentally friendly. Timber preservatives are available in many colours so finding a colour you like may be a large factor in choosing your treatment. Cuprinol, Ronseal and Barrettine are all well known and widely available brands with a large choice of colours. A high-quality treatment we have experience of using is Sadolin Classic, which is used as a base coat on untreated timber, and Sadolin Extra as a top coat on treated timber. Or for a wide range of colours, consider Sadolin Beautiflex.
Can I keep my shed exactly the same colour?
The colour of the shed will gradually fade over time. If you like the colour it is currently, your best bet is to find the nearest match at your local store. Please note the colour may darken slightly with every extra coat. The treatment we use in the factory is not available to buy in exactly the same form as it is specially made for us and not a branded product you can buy in a shop. Some of our retailers stock our Albany Brown treatment, but this is a slightly darker colour than the one applied in our factory. We do not recommend clear treatment.
Why are your sheds not tanalised?
We believe tanalised or pressure treated sheds are frequently misrepresented as being maintenance-free, whereas in our experience the best and only proper way to keep a shed in good condition is a regular coat of treatment. Pressure treatment is necessary for timber that has to go in the ground, but although it sounds like a good ‘selling point’, many in the shed industry agree that it can lead to more shrinkage and cracking than would otherwise occur. If left untreated, any tanalised shed would soon become an eyesore as it begins to look grey and unmaintained; it would also be more likely to leak in wet conditions.