Choosing finishes for decking and garden furniture

Decking, garden furniture, and cladding need finishes that cope with rain, UV, and foot traffic. Wood Finishes Direct groups products by project so you can shop for Decking, Garden Furniture, Fences, or Cladding from the homepage project picker.

Oils (show the grain)

Osmo UV Protection Oil and similar hardwax oils penetrate the timber, highlight the grain, and are popular on horizontal decking where you want a natural look. They need periodic thin maintenance coats — many customers top up annually in spring.

Opaque and coloured protection

Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback and Sadolin Superdec give strong colour and weather resistance on fences, shed cladding, and rough-sawn boards where appearance matters more than grain.

Preparation matters

1. Clean with a decking cleaner or fungicidal wash; allow the wood to dry below 20% moisture where possible.
2. Remove loose stain or algae; sand smooth areas on furniture and table tops.
3. Apply thin coats; do not overload horizontal boards or puddles may form.

Not sure which system to use?

Use the site’s Shop by Project → Decking filter or call 01303 213838 — our specialists advise on compatible primers and topcoats so you do not mix incompatible chemistries.