Will pine wood cladding be okay to use outside (in the garden) or will it rot?

Hi





I'm building a decorative frame/fence in the garden and was planning on using some cheap pine cladding from Wickes or B%26amp;Q. I'll be using proper treated fence posts to attach this too and there will be gravel boards underneath, so the pine cladding won't actually touch the ground at all.





If I stain/protect this (haven't looked at the products available yet but I assume a typical Ronseal fence coating type product will do the job), will this wood be suitable for outdoor use? Or do I have to use the specially treated wood for outdoor use (believe it's a lot more expensive)? I suppose there are other things to consider such as woodworm/bugs etc (I live in the UK so no termite issues for example).





Thanks





Ross

Will pine wood cladding be okay to use outside (in the garden) or will it rot?
Rossi, you appear to have enough knowledge to know that this sort of application will not last, use the right materials for the job, many of which have been suggested. In any fence material, you really have no worries relating to woodworm, or other bugs. Cladding will, bend, buckle, warp, twist, and with Pine, the knots will fall out, leaving you with a honeycomb fence.
Reply:Certainly, as suggested it would have to be treated, even if you didn't buy it pre-treated. It is a process that will have to be done on some regular basis, and even treated pine will Silver. That can be removed by presure treating or doing a stain intially.





More of an issue than insects however, is the species, and the tendency to warp, crack, split, craze, cup, bow, no matter how you attach it.





If it was my job, I'd probably look into Cypress even, if available. A much more durable exterior wood. Obviously more expensive would be RedWood, etc. The issue of initial expense may become a moot point in the long run, with the costs of materials to treat, and possible replacements in a shorter time frame.





Steven Wolf


Just my 2 "sense"
Reply:If you treat it with Cuprinol it should be fine.
Reply:The best wood for outdoor use is impregnated and pressure treated, it is a lot more expensive because, in theory, it should last a lifetime.


But, with all the treatment available these days providing that you completely cover, (with no gaps) soft woods, they should survive well, although you do have to re-treat them as the coating wears away.
Reply:You need to ask for tanilised wood which has been treated to prevent rotting. Usually it is guaranteed for 20 years against rotting. Have a look at your local sawmill if you have one as they often do this kind of timber much cheaper. Otherwise DIY shops do sell tanilised but it is usually much more expensive.
Reply:It will not last , should be treated timber cladding . if you want it to last !!!!!
Reply:its a softwood and will not last long dont waste your money.
Reply:You would have to use Vac - Vac treated wood, (it's got a greenish tinge), and you would have to treat it regularly as well.