Over the fence

[markieboy]

Is there a good or bad time to treat garden timber or decking, i have had conflicting advise, 1, it's best when the timber has dried out and shrunk, and 2, it's better when it's wet as it absorbs better. any help?.

[Clanad]

It depends entirely on what kind of wood is used.  If it's cedar or redwood or other "oily" type woods then it should cure for at least 6 weeks to 2 months.  This will let the surface oils leach out to where it will accept a coat of sealer or even tint.  If, however, it's a treated wood meant for outdoor use, then it doesn't need treating for preservation.  If you want to add a color to it then as soon as it's dry on the outside, perhaps a week or so, will be plenty.  Some of the treated woods are already somewhat dried depending on how it was stored in the lumber yard... Good luck...

[colleyprior]

most planed woods are kiln dried before being sold and can be painted or varnished straight away.

rough sawn timber is usually kiln dried if purchased from a diy outlet so can be treated straight away .

timber from a saw mill is usually naturally wet (or green as we say in the trade) and should be allowed to dry (or allowed to weather)for a couple of weeks before treating