Knowing how to deal with wood could be essential if your outdoor living area includes wooden garden furniture, sheds, fencing, pergolas, and gazebos.

Why is Wooden Furniture Worth Maintaining in Your Garden?

We love wood for so many reasons.

1. A wooden feature adds warmth, homeliness and charm, and gives your Irish garden an inviting space for outdoor entertaining.
2. It fits with a decor aesthetic that values rustic or natural-looking materials. A natural-looking structure adds to your sense of calm. It blends easily with the rest of the planting and landscaping in your garden or backyard.
3. For those who value sustainability, wooden materials are more environmentally friendly, as a renewable choice over plastic or metal products.
4. Choosing wooden furniture and structures over metal or plastic has other advantages. Wood provides better insulation against heat and cold compared to metal or plastic.
5. Wooden structures can be easier to repair and restore with simple DIY skills, extending their lifespan significantly. You won’t need to solder or weld. It’s easier to replace wooden parts with joinery if need be.

How to Maintain Outdoor wooden furniture, structures and fencing

With some DIY maintenance, your outdoor wooden structures can look grand for many seasons to come. Here’s how to tackle it yourself with a few easy steps and reliable products.

Step 1: Cleaning Your Wooden Structures

Regular cleaning is essential to avoid the damage that can come with mould, algae, and dirt build-up.

DIY Tip: Use a mild detergent and a soft brush or sponge to clean surfaces gently. If you use a power washer, you must start with a gentle pressure setting suitable for wooden surfaces, as you do not want to chip away at the organic materials.

Recommended Products:

• Ronseal Decking Cleaner and Reviver is ideal for preparing new wood or keeping decking clean. It opens the wood’s pores so the finish will adhere and leave a longer-lasting finish. It is fast acting, removes moss, mould and algae and can be used over stains and oils.
• Consider the Kärcher Power Control Pressure Washer, which comes in varying models and attachments that allow you to reach high surfaces and awkward corners.

  

  Step 2: Protecting Wood from Irish Weather

  Our beloved Irish weather can take its toll in varying ways!

  • Frequent Rain and Damp Conditions:
    The high levels of constant moisture, high humidity, and dampness throughout the year place their demands on wooden structures, leading to wood swelling and warping and encouraging mould or fungal growth.
  • Cold Winters and Frost:
    Sudden freezing temperatures followed by quick thawing can cause wooden surfaces to crack or split, weakening the structure over time.
  • Strong Winds and Storms:
    The regularity of Irish strong winds and local storms can damage or loosen joints, panels, and roofing, requiring frequent checks and repairs over time.
  • Sun and UV Exposure:
    Although sunny days are cherished and rare, in these parts, UV rays can still cumulatively fade and weaken wood, causing it to become brittle or discoloured.
  • Rapid Weather Changes:
    The variable temperatures between sunny blasts and sudden showers in our frontal weather subject our gardens to several seasons in one day! This creates stress on wood, leading to accelerated deterioration if not properly maintained.

  Make sure you treat your wooden structures with protective coats and weather-resistant paint where relevant. Stick to these key steps when applying wood treatment or protective paints.

  Sanding and Preparation:

  • Sand surfaces lightly to remove old finishes and smooth out rough patches.
  • Always dust off thoroughly before applying treatments.

  Applying Wood Preservatives:

  • Apply a clear or coloured preservative to protect against fungi, rot, andinsects like Cuprinol Wood Preserver.

     

    

     

    Use of Sealants and Oils:

    • Oils (like teak oil) replenish natural oils and prevent drying or cracking

    Sealants provide a water-repellent layer, protecting against moisture ingress such as the  Arc Universal Wood Preservative & Woodworm Killer, which kills & prevents woodworm and protects against wet & dry rot. Suitable for interior & exterior use and can be used over painted surfaces.

    

    Painting or Staining:

    • Adds an extra layer of protection against moisture and UV damage.
      Reapply every few years or as needed based on exposure and wear.

    Recommended Paint Product

    • Cuprinol Garden Shades from the Cuprinol Garden paint range has been specially developed to colour and protect sheds, fences and other garden wood. Its special pigments ensure a rich colour and allow the natural texture of the woodgrain to shine through. However, this product is not suitable for use on decking.

      

    Step 3: Repairing Common Issues in Wooden Furniture and Structures

    There are moments when protection isn’t enough or some old pieces may need some recovery, so inspect regularly for damage or wear and repair promptly. Simple DIY repairs: sanding, filling cracks, and tightening screws will be required

    Check for these common issues in outdoor wooden structures or garden furniture such as

     

    Wood Rot

    Look out for soft, crumbly, or discoloured areas that typically appear in damp areas near the ground or joints.

    DIY Remedy:

    • Remove rotten wood using a scraper or chisel.
    • Apply a wood hardener to stabilise affected areas.
    • Fill any holes or gaps with suitable wood filler.
    • Sand smooth once dry and apply a protective finish.

    Recommended Products:

    • Ronseal Wet Rot Wood Hardener

       

    • Ronseal High Performance Wood Filler

       

    • Cuprinol Protective Finish

     

    Splitting and Cracking

    This damage can appear after extreme weather fluctuations. Look out for cracks and splits in the wood. Check carefully on edges, surfaces, and at joints or nail points.

    DIY Remedy:

    • Sand down the cracked surface to create a smooth, even area.
    • Fill cracks using a flexible exterior wood filler.
    • Sand again to smooth and finish by reapplying a protective coating.

    Recommended Products:

    • Ronseal Multipurpose Wood Filler (exterior grade)

       

    • Sandpaper Sheets (medium to fine grit)

       

    • Cuprinol Garden Shades Paint or Exterior Wood Oil

     

    Loose or Rusty Hardware

    Look out for screws, bolts, hinges, and brackets which have loosened or started to rust over time. Tighten or replace where necessary.

    DIY Remedy:

    • Remove rusted screws and hinges using a screwdriver or drill.
    • Replace rusty hardware with weather-resistant (galvanised or stainless steel) fittings.
    • Tighten all loose connections to secure stability.

    Recommended Products:

    • Stainless Steel or Galvanised Screws and Hinges

       

    • WD-40 Multi-Use Lubricant (for loosening rusted hardware)

     

    Warping, Bending and Distortion

    This type of wood damage can be found in wood exposed to prolonged moisture or sun. Look along planks and supports to detect curvature or distortion.

    DIY Remedy:

    • Remove severely warped sections and replace them with new treated wood.
    • Secure slightly warped boards tightly using new screws.
    • Treat wood surfaces to protect against moisture and sun exposure.

    Recommended Products:

    • Treated Timber (replacement boards)

       

    • Galvanised Decking Screws

       

    • Cuprinol Exterior Wood Preserver

       

     

    Faded or Peeling Finish

    This type of damage occurs with long-term UV exposure and too much moisture. Protective paints or stains may start to fade or peel over time. Identify areas needing sanding and refinishing.
    DIY Remedy:

    • Sand off old peeling paint or stain completely.
    • Clean the surface thoroughly.
    • Apply a fresh coat of exterior paint, stain, or wood oil.

    Recommended Products:

    • Medium and Fine Sandpaper or Orbital Sander

       

    • 4″ Roller Set & Sleeves (for smooth paint/stain application)
    • Cuprinol Garden Shades

       

     

    Mould and Algae Growth

    A common feature in shaded or damp areas, this can lead to wood deterioration over time. Clean the wooden surface and treat promptly to prevent further issues.

    DIY Remedy:

    • Scrub the affected area gently with a fungicidal wash or mild detergent solution.
    • Allow wood to dry completely.
    • Apply a protective sealant or preservative to inhibit future growth.

    Recommended Products:

    • Ronseal Decking and Patio Cleaner (fungicidal wash)

       

    • Soft-bristle Scrubbing Brush

       

    • Cuprinol Wood Preserver (fungicide-containing)

       

     

    Insect Damage

    Check for holes, sawdust, or weakened wood indicative of wood-boring insects. You can prevent widespread damage with early identification.

    DIY Remedy:

    • Inspect for insect holes and tunnels thoroughly.
    • Apply an insecticidal wood preservative thoroughly over affected areas.
    • Replace severely damaged sections if necessary.

    Recommended Products:

    • Cuprinol 5 Star Complete Wood Treatment (insecticidal)

       

    • Ronseal Woodworm Killer

       

    • Replacement Treated Timber (if structural)

     

     

    Structural Stability

    This can be an issue with load-bearing components like pergola pillars, furniture legs, or shed walls, especially after storms or strong winds. Check footings, posts, and joints for stability and reinforce as required.

    DIY Remedy:

    • Reinforce unstable structures by replacing weakened beams or supports.
    • Check footings, tighten joints, and reinforce connections.
    • Apply a protective coat of preservative or paint to exposed repairs.

    Recommended Products:

    • Treated Structural Timber Posts or Supports

       

    • Galvanised Bolts and Connectors

       

    • Cuprinol Exterior Wood Preserver or Ducksback

    Step 4: Seasonal Maintenance Guide

    Here are some quick reminders on the little jobs you can schedule on a seasonal basis as part of your annual garden routines.

    Spring: do some quick post-winter inspections and initial clean-up to recover your garden structures and furniture from a stormy season or the harsh, damp weather.

    Summer: When the weather is dry and sunny, it’s a good time to get out there and do some protective treatment applications, especially for larger structures like your shed and fencing.   A perfect time for large-scale repairs, too.

    Autumn: Start clearing up any accumulation of dead foliage around your wooden structures and prepare them for winter.

    Winter: Do some quick checks and start covering up your more valuable garden furniture. Secure loose, more lightweight furniture and reinforce structures in preparation for windy weather and protect against storm damage.

     

    Now It’s Over to You!

    There you have it! With just a bit of elbow grease and regular care, your outdoor wooden furniture and structures will stay in fine fettle year after year.

    Pop into your local Homevalue or check us out online at Homevalue, i.e., for everything you need to keep your garden structures and furniture looking great.