Why does timber need looking after?
The truth is -
ALL timber needs looking after if it's outside
If you don't look after it, even the most expensive wood will change it's look.
Cedar is only zero maintenance as long as your happy with it going from it's initial pretty appearance to a silver grey. That is...
From this...
to this 10 years on...
"Cedar does not weather uniformly and is likely to develop a dark, blotchy, grey appearance."
- Real Cedar Organisation USA.
OF COURSE YOU WON'T HEAR THIS FROM TIMBER STUDIO SUPPLIERS AND THEY MAY EVEN HAVE STUDIOS BUILT INSIDE SO YOU WILL NEVER SEE THE WEATHERING THAT YOUR STUDIO WILL SUFFER.
There's a “How To Finish Western Red Cedar” Guide which is available on the internet if you click here.
The website says…“It is important to understand that the choice not to apply a finish to your cedar product has long term implications...
This choice requires advance consideration before you allow natural weathering to begin.
(If it is not treated straight away, then it is a far bigger job at a later date)
and continues…
"As Western Red Cedar weathers, it will lose its natural colour and become grey, and because of varying moisture and sun conditions, it does not weather uniformly and is likely to develop a dark, blotchy, grey appearance.” (see photo of a building clad in cedar above)
It also says…
“You may not want to treat the cedar if you have a concern about the environmental impact of applying a finish on the Western Red Cedar"
So...
If you want to maintain the "look" then you have to treat it with chemicals - according to the Real Cedar organisation in the USA.
Lack of maintenance of cedar has long term implications, and the initial appealing look of a garden studio cloaked in cedar, simply will not be maintained without treatment.
This is why Alex developed the QC "quarter century" garden studio - 25 years of no pollution from extremely strong chemicals and paints to maintain the look of your garden room.
Checkout the email below (and my answer) below from one of our past timber garden studio customers, Rob...
On 10 March 2014 08:25, Rob Drummond wrote:
Hi Iain,
I had a studio fitted in 2008, and it's been fantastic. However, I'm a bit concerned about the state of some of the woodwork, and wondered if you could advise on the best way to treat it to get it back to looking as good as it was.
I've attached a couple of pictures so you can see what I mean.
Many thanks
Rob Drummond (Bolton)
As you can see in Robs photo below, the timber does inevitably start to look shabby.
The 9' x 9' QC6 below will look like this for many many years with no painting or staining with strong polluting chemicals...
