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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Recommended wood preservative for pergola, lattice work, etc.?

17 years ago

Although this forum seems to be mostly about greenhouses, it does have "garden structures" in the title so I am hoping this is the right place to post this. If it is not, I hope some kind soul will direct me to the correct forum!

I have a pergola on my patio made with redwood & cedar, as well as a structure made of redwood and cedar (and shade cloth) for one of my shade gardens. I would like to use a good penetrating wood sealer to help the wood last as long as possible. I would prefer a clear sealer of some sort as I don't want to stain the wood; I want it to age naturally but don't want it to rot out before its time! I would imagine that I will need to reapply the preservative from time to time - every two years would be better than every year, however.

What is recommended for this?

Holly

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Comments (6)

oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)
17 years ago
For any parts of your structure that contact the soil, Copper Napthenate works well, but will darken the wood. For the other above ground parts, my 3 yr. old structure has done well with Olympic Water Guard. It is clear and does not change the color of my cedar. I reapply it once per year.
oakiris
Original Author
17 years ago
Olympic Water Guard looks as if it is a good product, cuestaroble. I have only used Thompsons Watersealer in the past but would like something better.

I am not sure I want to try out Copper Napthenate (Naphthenate?), however. Isn't it a pesticide? No termites here, for example, so I don't need to worry about them.

Holly
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highjack
17 years ago
Google One Time Wood - it is supposed to last on decks for at least 7 years.

Brooke
oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)
17 years ago
Wood preservatives, in addition to controlling termite infestations, also help prevent wood rot from fungi. If the exposed wood is wet for a length of time, or is in contact with soil, then a preservative, (by definition a pesticide if used to control pests of any type), could help prevent rot problems. The copper product, copper naphthenate- as you point out, works well for that purpose and is used in most commercial nurseries.
oakiris
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, Brooke. I read a discussion about One Time Wood on one of the forums here. It seems to be some sort of a plastic product, and it is also pigmented; I need something that is clear. I would love to use something that lasts for 7 years, but...The discussion is interesting, anyway, with users really liking it (though not having had it in use for seven years as yet) and others who haven't used it with some rather negative opinions!

cuestatoble - Thank you also for the info about the copper naphthenate. I think I will probably use it on the bottom of my posts of my shade garden structure. They do touch the soil and I don't want them to rot out!

Holly

Here is a link that might be useful: One Time Wood discussion
bob_am
17 years ago
Look in on the Porches & Decks forum on THS. They will be able to direct you.

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