We show you how to care for outdoor wooden surfaces

Up-to-the-minute advice on maintaining timber fences, window-frames, decking and cladding 

Applied with a paintbrush, a gelatinous revived will moisturise and clean decking; Sadolin decking and stain preserver, pictured.  

OUTDOORS, we are all confident with masonry prep and paint. Even having a go at metal — with the new ranges of no-primer products, we’re straight out there rollers twirling. However, introduce the prospect of refinishing a wood surface? Smiles fade and paintbrushes droop at the idea of winkling off flaking, failing, bubbling skins of our last, loved colour, never mind slapping on new enlivening protection.

Wood moves, it swells, it shrinks, it develops cracks and can absorb water. This natural reactivity — well, it freaks us out a bit. You have to love it back. Anything biodegradable seems destined to decay but keep in mind there are original Georgian windows and exterior doors still in service all over Ireland. Before refreshing any paint or stain, check your wood for rot and cracking and tighten up joints and screws where needed. Follow our easy tips to put the heart back in your wood finishes in long-lasting, beautiful results. People, I know you’re proud, but please always read the tin — it’s all there.