Lifespan
Getting the most out of your building..
What is the lifespan of the building?
If the building is properly maintained you should get 15 years
from our standard shed range and 20-30 years from all our other
buildings. You must re-treat the building every year with
recommended preservatives and keep all debris and foliage off all
surfaces. You may need to re-felt the roof at least once in this
time.
What is the preservative?
Most of our wooden garden
buildings such as sheds, summerhouses, playhouses are supplied with a factory base
coat, usually water based.
The factory coat is generally only a
primer, and you should apply a good quality wood treatment either
prior to or during assembly, if not then within 1 month of
installation - and then annually after.
Varnish is not recommended, but there's
a multitude of preservatives and treatments available in a choice
of colours. We recommend using a good quality, preferably spirit
based application, for longer lasting protection. Water based
treatments can become less effective after a few months of being
weathered away.
Log Cabins
Log Cabins are supplied untreated to enable
you to finish it to your own individual style and tastes. The
bearers are pre-treated and pressure treated for longer life.
We recommend you treat your log cabin when constructed then
periodically. If left untreated it will deteriorate. Square Houses
offer this as a service.
Treating your Garden
Building
We advise that suitable old clothing is worn during timber
treatment, as the treatment may splash. Gloves should be worn
as spirit based treatment can irritate the skin, if not make sure
that hands are washed straight after application.
Treatment should be considered at the construction stage of your
building as some areas will be unaccessable to treat once the
building has been constructed. When treating your building ensure
all surfaces are covered liberally, as moisture can penetrate the
smallest of openings and overtime your building will show signs of
damp and rot.
Alternatively you may also wish to paint your garden building
with exterior timber paint. This is our preferred method as it
gives your outdoor space even more character.
For more advice or to enter into a garden building maintenance
contract then please 'contact us'
Wood is a natural product and prone to changes in appearance
including some warping and splitting particularly in extremes of
temperatures. This is natural and not covered by a
guarantee.