Treating log cabin wood is essential to keep the timber protected and in a healthy condition. Barrettine log cabin treatment is one of the most popular products available for this purpose.
Rooms in the garden have become incredibly popular over the last few years, and a log cabin is often the top choice. When purchasing a new wooden garden building, one of the most important steps after the installation is complete is to treat the wood and apply a preserver. We recommend applying the treatment as soon as possible and no longer than two months after construction.
Log cabin wood treatments play a number of roles in maximising the lifespan of the building and keeping it looking as good as new for years to come. Pigments and inhibitors inside the treatment protect against fading and discolouration caused by the sun. The moisture content is also kept consistent to protect the timber against expansion and shrinking due to weather conditions. Wood treatment also protects against rot, mould and fungal growth.
We always recommend choosing a high-quality wood treatment to protect a garden building and reduce the maintenance required in the future. While lots of great options are available, Barrettine Log cabin Treatment is a popular recommendation.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Water repellent
- Versatile & durable
- UV protection
- Good coverage
- Anti-fungal
Cons
- Requires a preserver base coat
- Messy application
- No colour options
About Barrettine
The Barrettine brand has been around for over 140 years since being established in 1879 and now forms part of the Barrettine group. The business is based in the UK in Bristol and produces a wide range of chemical products for both industrial and professional uses. Barrettine has established a great reputation for quality over many years, which leads to customers choosing their products time and time again.
As a business, Barrettine does not sell directly to consumers but is available through plenty of retailers online and in-store. We find Amazon often have the lowest prices, but Barrettine can be found in most homeware stores when there’s no time to wait for delivery. The full range includes wood preservers, decking treatments and polishes. Most of the Barrettine products are designed to be applied to wood, making them popular with garden building enthusiasts. The brand’s website provides lots of useful information including technical details and video guides.
What is Barrettine Log Cabin Treatment?
Not just for log cabins, the treatment is also suitable for decking and other wooden garden structures such as sheds and summerhouses. This wood treatment is designed to be applied as the top waterproof coating to protect the building from the elements outdoors. If the log cabin or similar structure is new and has not been pressure treated, a wood preserver should be used first. The preserver will be invisible once applied and dry deep into the wood to protect against fungal growth.
Once dry, an oil-based clear sheen provides protection to the exterior timber, creating a moisture-proof coating. This can be seen with water beading from the surface rather than soaking in and turning the wood darker. As the moisture content is consistent, the log cabin is also protected from cracking that can be caused by direct sunlight drying out the timber during the summer.
A surface biocide preserver contained within the treatment protects the wood from fungal growth and mould that can begin to form during long periods of wet weather. In untreated garden buildings, the mould can eventually lead to rot that begins to warp the wood and leave the building beyond repair. With both a wood preserver and treatment applied, the cabin will have protection both deep inside and on the exterior of the timber.
Barrettine Log Cabin Treatment is only available in a clear colour, making it a great option for those wanting to maintain the natural colour of the cabin. The slight sheen looks rich and prevents the cabin from looking tired and dull. We often don’t recommend clear finishes as without any colour pigments, there’s no protection against the suns UV rays. This product contains UV inhibitors to provide protection against fading, even in a clear finish.
Guide: How long do log cabins last?
Price & Performance
The performance of Barrettine Log Cabin Treatment is very good. Being suitable for decking as well means the product is durable and hardwearing. The application requires a structure that has a preserver already applied but is free from any previous paint coatings. The consistency is watery & thin so the droplets can get everywhere, we recommend putting down dust sheets first. A large brush is the best method of application as a paint roller can result in lots of the treatment getting on surrounding areas.
During application, the treatment smells of linseed oil and the advised drying time is between 48-72 hours. The coating does feel dry by the next morning in warm summer weather conditions. Due to the hardwearing nature and already applying a preserver, only one coating is actually required. As we like to achieve maximum protection, we always apply a second coating within 24 hours to enhance the waterproofing and reduce the maintenance required in the future.
After two initial coatings, the log cabin should not require any maintenance for at least a few years. When the sheen does begin to fade, a top-up layer can be applied. The easiest way to check is to see if water is still beading from the surface.
Barrettine Log Cabin Treatment is available in a 5L tub which is plenty to treat a medium-sized log cabin. As the product is thin, a small amount can go a long way during application and there should be some leftover. Depending on the retailer, the product can be found between £40-50, making it good value & in line with many similar wood products.
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Alternatives
Log cabin treatments are designed to go further and provide an enhanced level of protection compared with other garden paint products. A suitable alternative will depend on whether a solid paint, wood stain or clear treatment is required.
To add colour but still let the natural grain of the wood through, we are like OSMO natural wood oil stain. The German brand has a great reputation and is available in a large number of pigmented colours to provide increased UV protection. The light oak colour looks good on a timber garden building and produces a deep and rich finish. Barrettine also produces a coloured wood preserver that works well on timber structures.
When painting the log cabin with a solid colour, we like ProTek Royal Exterior. Despite the expensive price tag, the paint provides a durable and smart finish. Lots of colours are available to completely transform the cabin to match and garden. This paint is not as widely available as Barrettine products but can be found at specialist paint suppliers.
Guide: Best log cabin treatments
Recommendation
Overall, Barrettine Log Cabin Treatment is easy to recommend for those looking to achieve a clear finish on a new log cabin. The overall appearance will be enhanced with the sheen once the product is dry. Most importantly, the cabin is left protected and water repellent to prevent issues such as cracking or mould growth on the timber.
The application is easy (although messy) and there’s plenty inside a 5L tub to cover a log cabin. A preserver is required as a base coating which can add an extra days work to completing the application. UV inhibitors are present to stop fading, but the pigments from a wood stain or solid paint will likely provide better protection from UV rays.
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