Sealant advice for wooden shed battens

Lucy_NC · Post by **Lucy_NC** » Sun Sep 12, 2021 3:40 pm

Hi, I'm planning to use Barrettine wood preserver in golden brown on my shed and my builder has recommended I seal the gaps between the wooden battens to further protect them. I’ve attached a picture of the kind of gaps I’m looking to seal and wondered whether anyone could recommend a suitable sealant please that is either clear or would match with the golden brown wood colour I’ve chosen? He said probably best to seal after as the wood preserver won't cover the sealant...
Thanks
Lucy

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Sun Sep 12, 2021 4:11 pm

I would use a hybrid sealant

https://www.screwfix.com/p/ob1-multi-su ... 90ml/434jf

Mike

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Sep 12, 2021 4:11 pm

I am not sure of the orientation of your picture but usually, feather edge boarding provides a drip down surface for rain. There are plenty of sheds left in this state but what can happen is that the boards warp and the gaps between the boards can get wider allowing drafts in but not usually rain. If you want to seal the wider boards you could use brown exterior frame sealant but it will be a long and drawn-out mind-numbingly boring job. See https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense- ... 10ml/61466.

I used Barrettine wood preserver on my stables last year https://www.toolstation.com/wood-protec ... -5l/p41022 I was very pleased as it sank well into the timber and gave a uniform finish. It is a sloppy, splashy, messy job and I suggest you get gloves, a forensic suit (and use the hood), and eye protection. Get some plastic sheet to cover underneath where you paint. You can get the thick shed and fence brushes that lose all the bristles as the job progresses. I have made this sound terrible but it is the best finish to use.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

DWD

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Sun Sep 12, 2021 6:06 pm

Lucy_NC!

Lucy_NC wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 3:40 pm my builder has recommended I seal the gaps between the wooden battens to further protect them

You'll get various opinions on here, but I don't agree with your builder or the two suggestions above, although made by respected contributors.

Any sealant applied will look pretty naff as it's smooth and shiny whereas the timber is not, and won't be the same colour anyway.

I would get a pressure sprayer such as this one and try to "inject" preservative into the gaps as much as possible first, before spraying the rest of the shed evenly all over. For £10.99 you could just chuck the sprayer away after use to save cleaning it out.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Sep 12, 2021 6:51 pm

It's funny how we all view it differently. I was imagining running sealant on the inside so it did not impair the exterior shed finish. I agree that I do not feel it is necessary but the timber these days leaves a lot to be desired and my nieces shed looked like it had gills all over it after a month. I sprayed once Arco and it was even messier than painting. I was covered with overspray and I used more product as a lot ended up on the floor.

Horses for courses.

DWD

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Sun Sep 12, 2021 7:33 pm

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 6:51 pm I sprayed once Arco and it was even messier than painting. I was covered with overspray and I used more product as a lot ended up on the floor.

Walt!

I once did 60 metres of fence, and a shed, like that, no prob., chucked the sprayer away after. Yes it may have been wasteful but it didn't take long! It lasted over 10 years until I moved.

Lucy_NC · Post by **Lucy_NC** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 11:05 am

Sorry the picture is meant to be portrait so the battens are actually vertical...

Thanks Mike for the sealant recommendation, I'll check that out.

DWD, I think the boards have definitely warped with the weather, which has caused the gaps. It's not actually causing an issue internally and the interior has just been insulated and finished with plywood (will be using as an office). The outside seems to be large boards with just these battens used for cladding. Thanks for the protection tips for when I come to use the wood preserver, sounds like a messy job!

Arco spraying was my first thought but I've moved to the windy north coast of Cornwall and have a feeling it could get even messier. I've got my parents coming over at the weekend so we've got lots of pairs of hands and paintbrushes.

Perhaps like you say it isn't necessary to seal them, as it does sound time consuming and I can just make sure I get as much of the preserver into the gaps with a smaller brush as possible. I'm guessing the battens are just decorative anyway. I've tried attaching another picture to give you a better idea.

Lucy_NC · Post by **Lucy_NC** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 11:06 am

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum ... w&id=61772

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 2:56 pm

Oh I see, that is clear now. As it is in a windy part of the country I can see why the builder suggested sealing the joins even though it is sheathed on the inside. Both sealants that Mike and I recommended will do the job if your are minded to seal the joins.

When you use the Barrettine get the thick fence painting brushes as they hold a lot of product and help you get it on quicker. Wipe the finish off the metal while it is wet if it gets splashed.

DWD

Lucy_NC · Post by **Lucy_NC** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 4:03 pm

Thanks DWD, I've got a fair amount to seal so will maybe give them both a try

Chippo1 · Post by **Chippo1** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 4:10 pm

My thoughts

How old is the shed ?
Has any of the timber started to rot
Is the timber just ageing
Is the timber dry generally and only gets wet when it rains
Looks nice to me other than a bit of green at the bottom here n there
Seal the joints and u might stop the structure breathing , getting damp inside and starting rot
So I wouldn’t seal
I would spray with something like Sika Timber preserver( screwfix ) , it’s clear and will leave its look that nice grey weathered timber look

Just my thoughts

Lucy_NC · Post by **Lucy_NC** » Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:54 am

Thanks for your thoughts Chippo. I don't know how old the shed is as I've just moved in but I'd say 5 years or so. I'm pretty sure the timber is just aging and has warped in placed but it's generally dry and I can't see any rot. Good point about it not being able to breathe and getting damp inside. I've already ordered the Barrettine preserver from Wood Finishes Direct in a golden brown so will probably use this now but perhaps like others have said just ensure I get it in the cracks as much as I can and give the sealing a miss

Chippo1 · Post by **Chippo1** » Tue Sep 14, 2021 5:23 pm

As u have ordered , go with that stuff , sounds like a plan and just get it into joints and especially near the bottom of the timber as this is usual place for rot to start, further up the timber stays dry and is unlikely to rot.