How to fix up old garden furniture for summer

Wooden garden furniture comes in many guises. Down at the cheaper end of the market, you’ll encounter furniture made from softwood such as pine. Softwood tends to deteriorate quickly, so this type of furniture will most likely have been pre-treated with a wood preserver or painted with wood stain for protection. A light sanding in spring, followed by a re-application of wood stain or paint should see it looking smart for another season. Soft wood furniture tends to deteriorate the fastest at the points where it contacts the floor, so for extra protection, stand table or chair legs in a preservative overnight and allow it to penetrate up into the wood. Wipe off any excess preservative in the morning and place your wooden garden furniture upside down to dry.

Top range outdoor furniture tends to be made from teak, a wood with high oil and natural rubber content which makes it extremely resistant to weather and rot. Teak garden furniture can be left untouched for years and will turn a silvery grey colour when it begins to age. For those preferring those warmer, woody tones of brand new, box-fresh teak, prepare to flex your sanding arm. Here’s how to restore that golden glow…