The reason for the introduction of the product is to replace Texnap 22 as an alternative wood treatment.

These are also solid-colour stain finishes, which provide an opaque finish whilst retaining some of the original texture. They offer very strong protection against the elements. Of course, for any finishes applied, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s individual guidelines. Which cedar treatment should I choose? Treatments for cedar wood can be broadly placed into these groups: opaque, semi-transparent, transparent or untreated. Cedar wood is pitch and resin-free, which means that finishes are held very well by the wood as long as they are applied before the weathering process has begun. While one coat should do the job, it does depend on the porosity and age of the wood. Application can be hand bushed, sprayed or dipped. If the wood has already been varnished or waxed the treatment won’t work, however, it is fine to be used on pressure treated timber.Owatrol Textrol HES is a good example of a powerful, oil-based protection for cedar wood against weather and UV, available in a range of tints from virtually clear to a charcoal. Whilst concealing some of the natural colour, a well-chosen finish like this can enhance the grain of your cedar. If it doesn't bead, you'll be ready to put on the oil. If it does then you'll have to clean it again until the water stops beading. We’d recommend something like Owatrol H4 Wood as an excellent weather protector that doesn't contain any UV filters, allowing the cedar to silver naturally. Of course, it’s possible to leave your project without any treatment at all — one of the glories of durable timber species like this. With all its resins, Western Red Cedar is naturally rot resistant and still performs well without a finish. For a transparent finish with some modest protection, consider a coat of water-repellent preservative, or a bleaching oil. There are a range of products on the market.

When left untreated and exposed to the sun’s oxidising UV light, Western Red Cedar fades and bleaches to a beautiful silvery-grey finish. So if you’re after the weathered cedar look — perhaps some ‘silver fox’, distinguished weathered cedar cladding, for example — you simply don’t need to apply any treatment. However, once totally dried in the hot sun and after a few rain pours or plain water washes, the smell soon reduces and the worry is gone. When choosing the right product for protecting cedar cladding (or any exterior cedar wood project), you’ll have to strike a balance. A thorough coating or two of an acrylic-based paint is by far the most protective of the finishes on offer. It will shield the timber from moisture and weathering, but will completely conceal the wood’s colour and grain — so make sure to choose a wood paint of your desired colour.

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Whilst treated cedar cladding still looks great, letting your cedar go grey is actually somewhat of a trend. Amongst architects, there’s been a growing appreciation for leaving materials like timber in their natural, rustic state, with their inherent, untreated beauty on full show. Oils often come in natural colours or clear, and enhance the natural appearance of your wood,' explains Jimmy Englezos, senior product manager at Sherwin-Williams. Contains Fatty acids, C6-19-branched, cobalt(2+) salts, 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)one and reaction mass of 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one and 2-methyl-2Hisothiazol-3-one (3:1). May produce an allergic reaction.