From freak hail storms in summer to warm winter days, the unpredictability of our British weather can wreak havoc on our timber garden furniture. But fear not as our helpful hints and tips will show you how to protect your garden furniture in winter and keep it in tip-top condition for years to come.
Care of hardwood garden furniture
Hardwoods are slow growing wood, usually originating from the tropics, where the natural humidity produces a hardy wood, well-suited for outdoor use. The denseness of hardwood and its naturally high levels of oils, make it highly resistant to rain and damp too. Hardwood garden furniture requires minimal care but does need to be protected from the grime that accumulates on the surface.
At the end of the summer, clean your hardwood furniture thoroughly to prevent damage from grit and dirt. On a warm, dry day take a bucket of hot soapy water and a scrubbing brush and scrub the furniture all over, starting on the top side. Turn the furniture over and repeat on the underside. Once all the surface dirt has been removed, rinse well with clean water and allow to dry naturally. You can rinse the furniture with a hose but do not use a pressure washer: the force of the water, even on a gentle setting, can damage the surface of the wood.
Once your garden furniture has been cleaned, it can be varnished to enhance the wood grain. Our blog, ‘How to prepare garden furniture to paint’ will show you the steps to take.
If you prefer a more natural, aged look to your furniture, applying a couple of coats of hardwood oil will preserve the wood. Remember to allow 48 hours for the oil to dry completely.
If your hardwood garden furniture will remain outdoors throughout the winter months, tilting it to keep the feet off wet ground will help to reduce the risk of rotting.
Care of treated softwood garden furniture
Treated softwood garden furniture requires slightly more maintenance but offers a more cost-effective option for outdoor furniture.
Following the same steps for hardwood furniture above, thoroughly clean your softwood furniture and allow to dry completely. The lower, natural oil content of softwood means your furniture will benefit from an application of wood oil followed by a varnish or wood stain & protector to safeguard against the worst of the weather. For more advice on the best wood stain for outdoor timber furniture, see our blog, ‘What wood stain should you use in a garden?’ When applying varnish and paint, take extra care on flat surfaces where water can collect and to feet that will be in contact with damp ground.
General tips for garden furniture protection in winter
Deal with any damage to your furniture immediately! Any splits or cracks in the timber should be addressed as soon as you discover them with a specialist wood glue. This will prevent the timber from splintering and deeper cracks from developing.
Carry out repairs straightaway. If there are any loose screws or bolts, tighten them or replace them if they are damaged.
All our outdoor garden furniture is weather resistant but all natural timber products will eventually show signs of wear and tear as they age. Our wood stain department has a selection of wood stains and protectors in a wide range of colours, and our experienced staff is always on hand to help and advise on the best products for your furniture.