Newhouse Farm

Chaz

Not sure where to post this and it's probably been asked many times before but what is a good, safe but effective environmentally safe wood preserver for exterior use ?

Many thanks,

Chaz

retrotecchie · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:20 am Post subject:

Probably pretty much anything water based rather than oil/solvent based.

I personally use Homebase Wood Care for painting the sheds and fences, and have also used it for treating recycled wood from pallets that I have used to make raised beds for the veg patch and for the wood I used to edge the lawn.

By definition, the preservative has to contain something to ward off rot so must contain something a tad eco-hostile, but if you minimise the amount of wasteage, spillage and washing out of brushes then dispose of the ullage down the sewer (rather than a storm water drain), you will probably find it a lot more friendly than creosote or oil-based preservatives.

On the other hand, creosote is the best thing for chicken runs I'm told....the 'fumes' kill off any red mite or lice in the coop!
_________________
I wish I could be what I was when I wanted to be what I am

rust · Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:26 pm Post subject:

linseed oil

Edit - Spelling & typing arnt my hot points

Tanya · Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject:

Ecos do some:
http://www.ecospaints.com/products.htm
Tanya

compostwoman · Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 10:42 pm Post subject:

Procol

Used by The RecycleWorks on their ( wonderful) wooden compostbins and sold by The Organic Gardening Catalogue...

I can vouch for it preserving the compostbins..I have 8 year old wooden slats which have spent all that time immersed in compost on one side or the other ( I take them all to bits annually and swap them around)
and they are only just looking tatty.
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Environmental Educator, Forest School Leader, Master Composter, Holistic Therapist. Smallholder.

biffvernon · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:16 am Post subject:

All preservatives are poisonous - at least to fungi and bacteria - or they won't work. Linseed oil is not poisonous at all, not even to humans, so don't rely on it to preserve you timber.

Best approach is to use the right timber and the right design. Oak and chestnut are very durable and don't need any treatment. Some softwoods, the redwoods, are fairly durable. Western red cedar, larch, douglas fir, Scott's pine and Leylandii are all good for outdoor use. Design construction so that as much of the wood as posible is sheltered, for example by overhangs, and allow rainwater to drip off without forming little pools and puddles. With smart design the timber can last several decades.

Only resort to creosote for timber at and below ground level.

cadfael · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:16 am Post subject:

Scott's Pine Biff?
No such beastie
Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris!
Brew your own a la Ray Mears demo from old pine roots, it's the original tar.
AKA Stockholm Tar.
Mike.
_________________
Minds are like parachutes, they only work when open.
I don't bodge, I improvise and innovate.
Dogs, logs and chainsaws.

biffvernon · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject:

My humblest apologies to all in Angus. I am but a mere Sassenach. (You're lucky I didn't use the Norwegian spelling.)

cadfael · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:50 am Post subject:

Mike.
_________________
Minds are like parachutes, they only work when open.
I don't bodge, I improvise and innovate.
Dogs, logs and chainsaws.

Ecocentric · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:41 am Post subject:

If it is any consolation, Biff, the term "Scot" originally meant bandit.....

Now see if Brother C is so keen on claiming Scot's roots....
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200 yr old farmhouse and land - a few hundred £k. Livestock, more buildings and kit - a few more £k. Greener business and lifestyle - ***king priceless.!!

cadfael · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:20 am Post subject:

Too damn right!!
Mike.
_________________
Minds are like parachutes, they only work when open.
I don't bodge, I improvise and innovate.
Dogs, logs and chainsaws.

retrotecchie · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:52 pm Post subject:

Does solar power work properly anywhere in Scotland? I had friends in Macduff who spent a fortune on solar HW and got about 16kW a year of savings with a 30-tube system!!

I hear our cousins that far north are a traditionally 'blue' race of people....it takes six weeks of continuous sunbathing for them to turn white...or so the Big Yin says
_________________
I wish I could be what I was when I wanted to be what I am

cadfael · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:05 am Post subject:

Nah! That's just the woad wearing off!!
Technically I'd be a Border Reiver then, having been born in Galasheils
Mike.
_________________
Minds are like parachutes, they only work when open.
I don't bodge, I improvise and innovate.
Dogs, logs and chainsaws.

MrBean · Elm Sapling Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 33

Paul PCAN · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:46 pm Post subject:

Borax is used in wood preservation.

Auro do a comprehensive range of products that are eco friendly, I used their gloss paint recently, but they also do stains, waxes, wood finishes, anti-mould treatments etc:

http://www.auro.co.uk/