So, you have chosen your wooden garage, had it installed, and you have got it set up how you want it. You sit back and look at the structure and wonder if there’s anything more you can do to keep the garage maintained and the wood stable. Read ahead for some simple techniques to protect the exterior of a wooden garage.
Firstly, think about the type of wood you will need for your wooden garage. Some types of wood are perfect for the sun, others for harsh winters, some are good in all seasons. Quality lumber will insulate you from the weather outside and will protect what’s inside the building.
When you have got the structure up, clean the wood before painting or staining it. The reason why is because dust, dirt and other things can get on the wood. This means that when you have finished painting the finish will not be as good as it could be. Ever looked at a painted wall and seen random little bumps and lumps? Yeah, chances are the person did not clean the wood properly before staining or painting it.
When starting to use treatment, paints, and finishes, it is best to start from the top and work your way down. Paint might drip, and going from the top down makes it easier to stop anything going wrong with the painting/treatment/finishing. After all, you want your wooden garage to last and to look good.
The finish and paint you choose should be able to withstand the weather. Mainly there’s two kinds of finish. Film finishes such as varnish or color are a decent choice but can crack and flake due to movement causing stress. The other option is a penetrating oil finish that is flexible and doesn’t break or chip under pressure.
reatments for your wooden garage are varied. There was water-based treatments, solvent and spirit based treatments, oil-based treatments and pressure-treating. Water-based treatments are water resistant and don’t require a prime. Solvent and spirit based procedures provide more protection and are longer lasting. Oil-based treatments protect your garage from UV rays better than the two named above. Pressure treating can safeguard against insect infestations and fungi getting into the structure and causing damage.
Wood tends to contract and expand depending on moisture. This is something that happens when the wood is a tree and continues even after the tree is cut down. When wood expands and contracts, it can cause damage to the structure. Now, what causes this issue is a lousy finishing job on the wood. This causes stress on the wood and will lead to cracks, water and weather damage.
It is essential to make sure the finishing on the wooden garage is done well and that you should check for any signs of possible damages to the finish and make repairs as soon as you can. Remember to check the inside as well as the out, as wood collects moisture and this can cause damage to the interior.
Take your time when you clean, paint and finish your wooden garage. Allow the garage to dry after cleaning it, give the paint time to dry before putting on the finish. Don’t get too excited and try to complete it all too quickly. That is a mistake many people make; they want it done and finished now, causing issues down the track.
Every month or so go around your wooden garage to make sure no cracks or damage is starting to show. This is the most natural thing to do, and it can help you to stop any problems from getting worse. Check everywhere out, inside, the roof above. If you are not careful, cracks in your wooden garage can let in water and snow, something you do not want coming through your into your garage.
Ventilation is something that not many people would realize makes a difference, but it does. Having a well-ventilated garage means that there will be a lower humidity level. High humidity can affect the wood and cause damage. The fungus can also become a problem if the humidity is high.
Another problem with wood is wood rot. This is a problem that happens a lot and means the wood has not been maintained. To notice wood rot, watch for the wood turning black. If the wood is not repaired, the wood will fall away.
Wood rot is not the hardest issue to deal with; it is pretty easy if you are handy with tools. Sand back the wood, trying to get rid of as much of the wood rot as possible to stop it from spreading. If you go to your local hardware store, you will be able to find something to fix the wood without much hassle. Let’s say the problem got that bad; your last option is to remove and replace the wood. This is a hard task, but it can keep the wooden garage around and usable for longer.
Look into making your wooden garage can be protected from wood boring insects like termites, fungi, and mold. You can get products from your local hardware store or online that contain insecticide and fungicide to stop the potential of termites, mildew or mold from growing.
So, in conclusion, when your wooden garage is put up clean and treat the wood as soon as possible. Research so you know what wood, paint, treatment and other things you need, you want to make sure you have everything correct. Check the garage regularly and stay on top of maintenance. Reapply treatment if the wood looks like it needs it, rid the timber of wood rot early, keep the humidity down with ventilation and secure your garage well.
