Pressure treated shed and wood protective treatment

AliceW

I was going to wait a few months and then use Barrentine Wood protective treatment on my new pressure treated log lap shed.(because I keep reading on-line that pressure treated dosn't mean it will resist water so the wood protector is necessary) but the men who came to put up the shed said that because it's pressure treated it doesn't need any further treatment. Any thoughts on this  would be great.

subjecttocontract

If it were me, I'd want a couple of coats of quality wood preserver applied as soon as it was up

FreeBear

I've slapped coats of wood preserver/sealer on all timber that sits outside, pressure treated or not. It helps to provide a consistent colour across the garden.

Effician

Not applied preservative/sealer to any pressure treated wood in 40yrs , best to let the wood breath & as i prefer the look of faded panels/ decking etc it's a win win as no extra cost & the wood last for decades.

subjecttocontract

Effician said:

Not applied preservative/sealer to any pressure treated wood in 40yrs , best to let the wood breath & as i prefer the look of faded panels/ decking etc it's a win win as no extra cost & the wood last for decades.

You have take the suppliers word that the item has actually been 'pressure treated' (as opposed to being dipped) and if it hasn't it'll be to late to do anything by the time you find out.

Albermarle

You can probably get away with not treating it further, but probably a good idea to give it a couple of coats, even if only after a few years.

Section62

Effician said:

Not applied preservative/sealer to any pressure treated wood in 40yrs , best to let the wood breath & as i prefer the look of faded panels/ decking etc it's a win win as no extra cost & the wood last for decades.

An oil-based wood preservative doesn't seal, so the wood can still breathe naturally.  Water-based 'paint'-type treatments differ, so you have to be more careful with them.

Decades old wood would last for decades with very litle treatment - but the rapidly grown stuff used in low-cost timber products these days is not going to last without thorough treatment and regular maintenance.

No matter what the shed manufacutrers and their installers might claim.

Section62

AliceW said:

I was going to wait a few months and then use Barrentine Wood protective treatment on my new pressure treated log lap shed.(because I keep reading on-line that pressure treated dosn't mean it will resist water so the wood protector is necessary) but the men who came to put up the shed said that because it's pressure treated it doesn't need any further treatment. Any thoughts on this  would be great.

Depends what "pressure treated" means.  "Pressure treated" is a method, like "painting" is a method.  The chemical used in the pressure treatment will determine the wood's properties, including water resistance.  Unless the shed company give exact details of the chemical they use for their pressure treatment then you rely on their word it is something effective.

I wouldn't take the risk, and instead would use an oil-based treatment like the 'Barrentine Wood protective treatment' you are thinking of. A couple of generous coats at least.

Effician

Section62 said:

Effician said:

Not applied preservative/sealer to any pressure treated wood in 40yrs , best to let the wood breath & as i prefer the look of faded panels/ decking etc it's a win win as no extra cost & the wood last for decades.

but the rapidly grown stuff used in low-cost timber products these days is not going to last without thorough treatment and regular maintenance.

When did these days begin ? as far as i'm aware most garden structure products have always been from rapid growing varieties of softwood. I can see no difference between the featherboards i used to make fence panels  25yrs ago 15yrs ago & last year.

What has changed is the allowed chemicals but even the modern stuff is still expected to last at least 15yrs & you certainly wouldn't want to burn it even after 30+yrs.

I would trust the pressure treatment far more than the claims on the side of a tin, obviously if a colour or always looking newish is you thing then oil based is the best option but i prefer the look of summer fruit & veg against mine while the sun is strongest  & have a clear fence that can breath in winter .