| To keep wood garden sheds, arbors, or | | | | garden sheds, you can use vinyl siding |
| trellises looking their best, consider using | | | | instead of wood siding. Vinyl siding is ultra |
| a wood finishing product such as sealer, | | | | low maintenance, comes in many colors, and |
| stain, or outdoor paint. Wood finishing | | | | only requires periodic cleaning (once a year) |
| protects exposed wood from sun, water, | | | | with water to keep its fresh |
| insect, and fungal damage.Here's a list of | | | | appearance.Unfinished Cedar: If your wood |
| some common wood finishing products:Wood | | | | garden shed or arbor is made from cedar, |
| Sealer: Wood sealer blocks the pores of the | | | | (such as Western Red Cedar), you can choose |
| wood, while still allowing natural fading and | | | | to leave it unfinished. Cedar does not warp, |
| weathering.Stain: Stain penetrates the wood, | | | | and it contains natural preservatives that |
| and unlike paint, it does not trap moisture | | | | prevent rot. Natural weathering over time |
| and cause blistering or peeling. Stains come | | | | turns unfinished cedar a lovely sliver-gray |
| in many colors, and in transparent or solid | | | | color.Applying wood finishing products is |
| applications. Reapply the stain every other | | | | easy with the right tools |
| year to keep the color fresh.Paint: Exterior | | | | |
| paint protects the wood surface and is | | | | Stains and sealers can be applied with a |
| available in every conceivable color. The | | | | brush roller, pad, or spray gun. Check the |
| garden shed or arbor must be sanded and | | | | wood finishing manufacturer instructions. |
| primed before application. Remember that | | | | Apply two coats and expect to reapply every |
| aging paint flakes and cracks, so you'll need | | | | two the five years.Leanne Tremblay is the |
| to scrape and sand again to refinish the wood | | | | author and publisher of where you can find |
| down the road.If none of those appeal to you, | | | | great ideas on garden sheds, shed plans and |
| there are some other low maintenance wood | | | | shed kits, greenhouse kits, arbors, and |
| finishing options:Vinyl Siding: For wood | | | | trellises. |