Summer houses and sheds
Inspect your shed for any rotten wood. If you find any holes fill them with an appropriate waterproof wood filler.
Where there is extensive rot it is best to replace the wood. The exterior skin of most sheds and summer houses is made of individual wood slats of one kind or another eg shiplap or sawn larch lap. Identify what type of panels you need then pay a visit to your local DIY supplier. Wickes is good for shiplap for example.
Chop out the old rotten cladding. Examine the frame beneath. It might need attention and replacing too. Replace the old cladding with new and then repaint your shed.
Check the interior. If you find damp check for water ingress. You may also need to repair or replace the roof felting as well.
Furniture
Take a wire brush and rub off any flaky paint and rough wood. Give the surface a further rub with wire wool and sand it carefully. If there are any holes, knots or splinters in the wood fill them with wood filler and sand smooth. Apply a coat of primer, brushing in the same direction as the grain of the wood. Allow to dry then rub with a fine grade sandpaper. Then it’s time to paint your furniture.
Brighten up your garden. Use bright colours to give your garden a new lease of life and turn it into an outdoor living space to entertain in. Stay on trend by using purples and complementary tones in keeping with Pantone’s Colour of the Year, ultraviolet. Create a little oasis of tranquillity in your garden. Ultraviolet has long been associated with calm and meditation – great for anyone looking for refuge from our overstimulated world.
Ronseal has a nice range of garden paint which is available at good DIY stores.
If you want to retain the natural beauty of your wooden furniture, consider using oil-based preservatives. There are various oils available but Danish oil, Teak oil and Linseed oil are the best choices. If the wood is too damaged, use a wood stain to deliver an even finish.
Fences
Examine your fences. There has been quite a bit of windy weather this winter. Replace any missing panels. B&Q has some handy advice on how repair wooden fences
Once you have repaired your fence, give it a liberal coat of preservative. Where you have a large area of fence to paint, spray preservatives are a good choice.
Do the same with any gazebos, pergolas or trellises that you have. Replace any missing or rotten wood and repaint using a non-toxic water-based paint or preservative.
Bird tables
The part of a wooden bird table most likely to be in need of repair will be the base. It’s in contact with the wet ground and prone to rotting through. Here are some images for inspiration
Ebay has this handy guide on making your own bird table.
Make sure you give the bare wood a good coat of non-toxic paint or wood preservative to protect it and keep it looking good for the coming year.
