How To Stain, Paint And Maintain Your Log Store

If you have a wood burner or open fire in your home, you know how important dry and well-seasoned wood can be. Try to burn wet or unseasoned wood, and your home will quickly fill with acrid smoke and create a very unpleasant environment.

These little outbuildings do a lot of unshowy and underappreciated work out there, keeping our wood supplies dry and well-ventilated, especially during the inclement British weather. It’s nice to know that even when the temperature drops or the rain and wind are howling, you can go to the log store, get some well-seasoned and dry wood, and get a mood-lifting and warming fire going inside.

Of course, as hardy and durable as a log store can be, they also need a little help now and then to get their job done well. This is especially true if your log store is made of wood. Even high-quality, hard-wearing and well-treated wood stores need a bit of TLC occasionally to keep them at their best. With this in mind, keep reading to find out how to look after your log store with a minimal amount of fuss.

Stain and varnish

Even though some woods offer superb protection against the elements and weather well over time, even the toughest exterior grade wood needs a bit of support in the form of the odd coat of wood preserver. All the timber we use is pressure treated and, as such, can remain free from rot or fungal attack for up to 15 years, but we also recommend using a wood preserver to add further years of life to your log store. A wood preserver is a treatment that penetrates the grain of the wood, protecting against moisture, mould, algae and insects. It can also help to provide a natural finish in a variety of shades, although we always recommend a clear coat to keep your wood looking its best.

Before applying the preserver, ensure that the surface of the wood is clear of debris, dust and any other organic matter, such as moss or mildew. A good clean or, better still, a light sanding, will create a good surface key for a fresh coat of treatment to bond with. If you want to keep things natural, you can always use natural finishes such as linseed oil to help keep your log store looking its best.

Slatted Burley 6ft log store with optional door

Painting

If your log store needs some brightening up, or if you simply want it in keeping with your design scheme, then painting is also a good option. Paint sits on the surface of the wood, hardening to create a tough protective layer. Paint is available in an endless choice of colours and finishes; just make sure you choose wood paint that is suitable for outside use. And always choose a good quality product as it will more than pay for itself in the long run.

Paints and stains can all be applied to cleaned or sanded wood surfaces using a brush, roller or sprayer (or a combination of the above). Try to apply two coats, if possible, as this will increase the level of protection. In general, good quality treatments will offer several years of protection, so you’re only looking at a few hours of work every few years, which is more than a fair deal for having dry logs as and when you need them.

Maintenance

As well as looking after the surface of your wooden log store, it’s also worth carrying out some routine maintenance on the roof. Check it’s not leaking and is in good shape on both the outer and inner sides. Make any repairs to the lapped, featheredge construction if required to keep your roof in the best possible shape.

Tighten any screws, bolts or other fixings every few years to ensure nothing is working itself loose over time, which can happen, and ensure that the footings are not wet or in contact with standing water. Also, check that your wood is well-ventilated and allowed to season correctly with good airflow. Trim back or prune any vegetation encroaching on the log store area or blocking air flow, and ensure there are no damp patches or wet logs within the log store itself that could be signs of a bigger problem.

If your log store is past its best, it might be time for an upgrade. Check out the range of wood store designs, styles and sizes available at Rutland County Gardens. Our high-quality wood stores are built to last and offer superb protection for your logs and wood tools. Or you can simply get in touch with our team if you’d like to discuss your options.