While winter can cause damage to all kinds of external surfaces, it can have a serious impact on wooden walls and fencing. The combination of the bitter cold, high levels of rain, snow and hail can lead to seriously harmful conditions for your wooden surfaces. Here at Paintmaster, we can provide industry-leading wood treatments to protect any kind of wooden surface. Even if your wooden surface has been protected or treated before, it may need a re-application of the treatment.
There are many wooden surfaces which may require protection during the winter months. Just some of the wood you may be required to treat in your home or business could include:
- Wooden Fence Panels and Fence Posts.
- Wooden Shed Walls and Roofing.
- Timber Garage Doors.
- Wooden Patios and Pathways.
- Garden Furniture and Garden Features.
Any wooden surfaces which are exposed to the winter elements regularly, or throughout the entire period, can sustain all kinds of damage. The only way to effectively protect them is to ensure that they are treated with industry-leading wood treatments.
What Kinds of Damage Can Winter’s Weather Cause to Wooden Surfaces?
Without adequate protection and treatments, wooden surfaces can be vulnerable to all kinds of damage. Even if the damage seems relatively minor at the time, or purely cosmetic, it can be a sign that something is structurally wrong with the wood. Over time, these issues can lead to serious damage, which will require costly repairs/replacement.
If left unprotected against snow, rain or hail in winter, wooden surfaces can suffer from:
- Discolouration – It is possible that wet rot can develop in the wood. This can cause the affected areas of the surface to discolour – often becoming darker than the surrounding wood.
- Become Soft or Spongy – In addition to discolouring, it is likely that un protected wood will become softer and spongier than it should be. This can make it extremely easy for the wood to suffer damage.
- Cracked Surface – When the wood eventually dries, it is possible that the surface will appear cracked and worn. It is also likely that this wood will crumble to the touch once it is dry. This can leave the more vulnerable interior of the wood exposed, leading to serious structural issues.
- Risk of Fungus Growth – If wooden surfaces are unprotected and left exposed to the elements, they are significantly more likely to develop fungi and other growths. These growths can not only be harmful to the wood, they can also harm people in the nearby area. Fungus can, for example, trigger asthma attacks and lead to breathing difficulties. The growth of this fungus will often be accompanied by a damp, musty smell, even once the wood itself has dried.
Any of these issues can cause long-term damage to your wooden surface. As such, it is extremely important that you take steps to protect your wooden walls, fences and other surfaces with industry-leading wood treatments.
How Can I Protect My Wooden Surfaces in Winter?
If you want to protect your wooden surfaces throughout the winter months, there are several steps you need to take.
1 – Move as Much Wooden Furniture Indoors as Possible
Your first step should be to ensure that any external wooden furniture is moved indoors. If you have the space for it, wooden chairs, tables and sunbeds should be moved into your shed, garage or any other space you have going free.
2 – Protect with High-Quality Wood Treatments
Here at Paintmaster, we can provide a wide range of wood treatments to help you protect your wooden surfaces. All our wood protections and glazes can be used to eliminate the risk of water damage throughout the winter months. These treatments are a popular choice for large wooden surfaces, including fencing and wooden patios/paths.
Our specialist team can apply a range of different wood protections and treatments, including:
- Creosote.
- Oil-Based and Water-Based Wood Stain.
- Water-Based and Oil-Based Timber Preserve.
- Polyurethane and Acrylic Varnish.
For more information on using our wood treatments to prepare your wooden furniture in Winter, check out our recent blog post!
3 – Cover Wooden Furniture
Where possible, it is a good idea to cover wooden furniture with water-resistant sheets. These sheets will stop water, snow and hail from being able to directly impact your wooden surface. We’re not suggesting that you cover your wooden fence panels, patios or walkways. Instead, smaller furniture such as chairs, tables and sun loungers should be covered wherever possible. Let’s be honest, it isn’t like you’re going to be able to use them until Spring comes around anyway.
Protect Your Wooden Furniture with Wood Treatments; Shop with Paintmaster Today
If you want to avoid costly repairs and replacement of your wooden furniture, you need to make sure it is sufficiently protected. One of the most effective ways of protecting all kinds of wooden surfaces is wood treatments, preserves and glazes. They will prevent the moisture from being able to interact with your patios, fencing or pathways. This eliminates the risk of your wood sustaining water damage this Winter!
For more information on our wide range of treatments for wooden surfaces, get in touch today. You can reach our team of experts directly by calling us on 01663 733633. If you prefer, you can also email any questions or concerns you might have to sales@paintmaster.co.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.