Earlybird delivery discount: Check out reductions available on this page. Take advantage now.
Now is the time to pick up an ex-display building during our annual sale. See remaining models here At LEAST 30% Off

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Earlybird delivery discount: Check out reductions available on this page. Take advantage now.
Now is the time to pick up an ex-display building during our annual sale. See remaining models here At LEAST 30% Off

Earlybird delivery discount: Check out reductions available on this page. Take advantage now.
Now is the time to pick up an ex-display building during our annual sale. See remaining models here At LEAST 30% Off

Weatherproofing Your Garden Shed: A Comprehensive Approach for Durability

The garden shed as well as garden offices and most other timber buildings normally comes already treated, mostly with a water-based treatment or a spirit based treatment which is far better. It may even come fully pressure treated, also known as tanalised treatment. Or you may find the cheap garden sheds have a treatment with is just like coloured water and about as much use as that and in these cases, you need to be very careful.

As a rule, the normal water-based treatment needs to be re-coated within 4 weeks of being delivered. If it’s treated with a spirit based treatment then ideally you should ensure that you re-treat your building before the first winter after assembly. The reason for this is that first treatment acts as a primer and undercoat and the coat you put on is like a top coat.

After putting this coat of treatment on you wouldn’t normally have to retreat for 2-3 years except in very exposed areas. However, bear in mind when you buy a shed offering a 10-year guarantee you will find if you can find the small print, that you have to treat your new building every year to ensure it’s covered. Clearly, this means their treatment is totally useless and it’s only the fact that you are treating it which gives the shed a long life. This applies to all garden sheds in spite of any warranty offered.

Protecting Your Garden Shed from Moisture: Preventing Mould and Rot

The pressure treated buildings don’t need any extra treatment against rotting for 15 years normally and, although, it’s a little more expensive can be worth considering. The only thing I would say is – where the shed or building faces into the weather and during driving rain – you may get damp patches on the inside of the shed. This won’t hurt the building and will dry out very quickly however if you put Thompson Water Seal treatment on this will provide a waterproof coat to the building.

If you are thinking of buying a pressure treated shed then ensure you buy one which has all the timber pressure treated including the floor, framing, walls and roof. You will find many shed companies offering tanalised or pressure treated shed but it’s only the walls which are treated. This is OK to a point but you can’t beat ALL of the shed being pressure treated. 1st Choice range of Platinum garden sheds are all fully treated including the cladding, frame and floor.

After the initial treating you need to keep an eye on the building to ensure no problems crop up. You will find that Autumn is a good time to be doing this before the onset of winter. Take a look at your garden shed or garden building and ensure the treatment is in good shape and that it is not splitting, cracking peeling or going grey. If so try to retreat while the timber is dry and this will keep the worse of the winter weather out and your shed nice and dry.

Essential Steps to Ensure Long-Lasting Protection for Your Garden Shed

You could possibly choose from a variety of colours if you want to brighten up your garden during the winter. You will find that the Protek range of colour treatments are perfect for this and are available for all 1st Choice garden sheds and buildings.

Besides the treatment take a look at the felt and ensure it’s laying flat and that all the nails are in place. If any nails have moved then remove them and replace but ensure you put a dob of mastic in the old hole to stop any damp getting it. Ensure any cracked panes of glass are mended and the beading is in place. On the door ensure that the catch lines up so is easy to close and apply a drop of oil to the hinges and the lock so that it does not become too hard to operate.

By doing this now this will ensure that during the colder months, when you do not want to go out into the garden, that your shed will be protected and that will protect all your valuables inside. By doing this you will get a nice warm glowing feeling.


Author is Robin Antill - expert in garden buildings Written By Robin - Expert in Garden Buildings For 44 Years.
Hi, I'm Robin Antill, founder of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, and I use my expertise gained over 44 years in the garden buildings industry to understand that each customer is different. With my manufacturing, retailing and customer service experience my articles help people choose their ideal shed, garden workshop, summerhouse, log cabin or garden office needs to suit their requirement and that is key to satisfaction. And what do I do when I'm not writing? You may find me following Grimsby Town Football Club or riding roller coasters - so plenty of 'ups and downs' in my life.

About Author:

Robin Antill is an established authority in the field of quality garden building manufacturing, boasting over four decades of experience. Having founded Titan Garden Buildings in 1979, he demonstrated a commitment to excellence from the outset by moving away from subpar materials and embarking on crafting buildings of superior quality.


His lineage of craftsmanship, traced back to his father and grandfather's business in Cleethorpes, underscores his dedication to quality and customer satisfaction. Robin's son, Craig, who joined the business in 1990, brings additional expertise, having honed his skills at Guildford College in joinery.


Together, they elevated Titan Garden Buildings, which eventually evolved into 1st Choice Leisure Buildings. Their enduring focus on premium materials, top-notch manufacturing, and unparalleled customer service, along with Craig's digital acumen in creating the company's online presence, showcase their expertise and reliability in the industry.


Robin’s expertise was featured in Realtor.com, Homes&Gardens, The London Economic, and dozens other publications.


Woking Show Site
1st Choice Leisure Buildings
Woking Garden Buildings Show Site
Sutton Green Garden Centre,
Whitmoor Ln, Sutton Green,
Guildford,
GU4 7QA
Phone 01483 237550