Treating bare wood

[lizwizz]

I have a new garage door with bare wood at the mo. I have some creosote in the shed. Is this the best thing to use to protect the wood from the weather or should I use something else? Thanks.

[snook]

Creosote's fine for the job, or you could use one of the Shed 'n Fence type wood protectors, which do much the same job. The thing with those is you'll have a choice of finish (dark oak, cedar, etc.). Whatever you use, I'd give it a couple of coats though, and be prepared to repeat every year or two. Small price to pay to keep the wood protected.

Pay particular attention to any areas at ground level - that's where water will try to work its way in, long after rain has fallen against the garage sides and dried off. Extra coat there, or if possible, secure some damp proof course material in the gap at floor level (it's just thick plastic, on a roll). You could fix it in place with a small amount of mortar if you like - just 'butter' it up against the bottom edge, so it forms an angle.

[Lonnie]

Creosote, if you weren't aware, is now an illegal substance, but there are substitutes in diy stores.

[Clanad]

In line with Lonnie's comment, creosote is a known carcinogen and has been banned here in the U.S. for many years. If you have this stuff stored, I'd get rid of it at an approved disposal facility.
Firstly, do you mean the large door(s) through which you drive the car or a small access door? Reason for asking is; if it's the large door, then is it a "tip up" door where the whole door raises at once or is it a sectioned "roll-up" door? Again, reason for asking is; if it's a sectioned door you want to take pains to finish the tops and bottoms (as well as the ends) of each section.
Lightly sand the entire door (yep, lotsa work), dust with a tack rag and apply a light coat of poylurethane sealer. Sand lightly again, dust and coat with a poylurethane finish. I recommend a product called "Spar Varnish"... at least here in the U.S. The product has been used for years on all outside applications, especially, as the name implies on boat woodwork. It's not actually a varnish but is poly in chemical makeup. Again, sand (very lightly) dust and add one more coat. Dont forget to finish the very bottom edge of the door, which is actually the most exposed portion of any door but especially a garage door... and then reapply the door seal on the bottom...

Goodluck!

[buildersmate]

Some of the substitutes have names rather similar - creocote, for example. They do a similar job, without the carcinogen

[frankief]

I did my shed last summer with that coloured fence stuff and I find its fading already. Its just water based emulsion stuff packaged up for the DIY market, am I right?

Wouldn't I be better giving a coat or two of oil based gloss to my shed - more expensive but longer lasting and any colour I want.

Why are different products available for sheds/fences - is it marketing or 'letting the wood breathe'?

[lizwizz]

Thanks for that. I'm wondering if frankief has a point though. Perhaps gloss would last longer. Would it give enough protection though?