Wooden garden furniture is manufactured from either hardwood or softwood, with hardwood garden furniture requiring no initial treatment after purchase and the minimum of ongoing maintenance. For many, softwood garden furniture is a more cost effective solution and with the correct care and treatment, it will give years of service.
What is softwood garden furniture?
Softwood garden furniture is furniture manufactured from evergreen, fast-growing conifers such as fir, pine and spruce. A pale yellow or light brown in colour, softwood garden furniture has a chunkier appearance than hardwood furniture, making it the furniture of choice for rustic, countryside settings.
How to treat new softwood garden furniture
At Witham Timber, all our softwood garden furniture is manufactured from a mix of spruce and pine which is pressure treated to protect it against factors that could lead to decomposition, including insect infestation and moisture. Our article ‘Pressure treatment or creosote – what’s the difference?’ looks closely at how softwood is pressure treated. The pressure treatment process means that no initial treatment or protection is required in the first three months, to allow the chemicals used in the pressure treatment to dry out thoroughly.
Ongoing maintenance of softwood garden furniture
Softwood garden furniture requires ongoing care and maintenance to remain in good condition and for it to have a long lifespan. Factors to consider include whether the furniture will be stored over winter or if it will remain outdoors exposed to changing weather conditions, and how much sunlight it will be exposed to, as ultraviolet (UV) light can cause damage over time including shrinking and cracking.
Softwood garden furniture treatment
There are several products available for the treatment and protection of softwood garden furniture and at Witham Timber, we stock products by Protek who use only water based technology for the treatment and preservation of wood. Once thoroughly cleaned, softwood garden furniture needs nothing more than an application of wood stain or a paint containing preservative; this should be carried out on an annual basis in dry weather conditions.
Protek wood stain and protect
Protek wood stain and protect has an inbuilt mould inhibitor and is virtually odourless. A versatile product that coats, colours and protects not only softwood garden furniture but also fences, terracotta and masonry, the wood stain is available in a range of colours to suit every style of garden. Dries to an opaque finish with a soft sheen.
Protek decking stain
Not just for decking, Protek decking stain creates a strong bond with the timber to give a tough and durable finish. Ideal for sheds and summerhouses, as well as softwood garden furniture, the decking stain will colour, protect and waterproof timber while reducing moisture content. Available in a selection of colours, the stain dries to give a traditional, soft sheen finish.
Protek shed and fence
A reliable and cost effective range, Protek shed and fence can be used on planed and rough sawn wood and offers an eco-friendly timber treatment alternative to Creosote. Safe enough for playhouses, pet runs and softwood garden furniture, shed and fence is available in seven colour options and dries to a traditional matt finish.
The How to section of our blog has lots of useful guides to help you care for your softwood garden furniture, including how to clean, revive and restore it. For all other enquiries you may have, our experienced sales staff is happy to help and can be contacted on 01205 359188 or by email at sales@withamtimber.co.uk.