A timber garage is a great investment, but like any wooden building, it does come with some maintenance requirements. The type of timber garage you choose, and how it’s constructed, plays a big role in how much maintenance it will need.
By understanding the maintenance requirements of a building before you buy, you can choose a timber garage that suits your needs. In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know to keep your timber garage in perfect condition, so it lasts for years to come.
What are the two types of timber garages?
Most timber garages on the market are single-skinned, which means their walls are made up of just one layer of timber; the cladding is fixed directly to the framing (like a shed).
Remember, if a timber garage is single-skinned, then it’s a big shed, not a Garage. Because of their size and construction, these “big shed” garages can be prone to water ingress.
All single-skinned timber buildings can experience water ingress. Due to the porous nature of timber, moisture can seep through the wood to the inside of the building. A little moisture is normal, but excessive water ingress can lead to pooling, rot and mould, which nobody wants for their garage.
At G&M, we used to build single-skinned garages, but we found that their larger size resulted in more problems with water ingress. This is why we designed our 3-Tier Garage specification: a layered wall system with an air cavity that keeps our timber Garages completely watertight.
Single-skinned timber garages tend to require more maintenance because they can experience issues with moisture ingress. Our 3-Tier Garages are a lower maintenance option because their construction keeps them dry.
Let’s take a look at the maintenance needs of each of these timber garages:
Should I paint my single-skinned timber garage?
Painting your single-skinned garage is essential, think of it like putting a waterproof coat on before you go out in the rain. The right paint will help your single-skinned garage keep water out, whilst still letting the timber breathe.
We recommend using Sadolin Superdec or Sadolin Quick Dry to paint your single-skinned garage; both are water-based, so protect the wood without suffocating it. You can buy Sadolin paint from Bannermans in Dundee and Perth, or online at Decorating Warehouse.
Sadolin protects your wooden garage from moisture, as well as UV and rot.
We’d recommend repainting your single-skinned garage every 3-5 years, depending on how exposed your site is. If you find that the paint is fading and chipping off the timber, it’s a good sign that it’s time to get your paintbrush out. Keeping your timber garage well-painted will give it a good barrier against moisture.
Although we recommend Sadolin, you will need to be sure what type of paint or preservative is already on your building, as it may not be compatible. Always check with your timber garage company what their specific painting requirements are.
Some single-skinned garages come with large timber doors rather than a traditional garage door. These can experience movement and swelling, especially when the weather changes quickly. To prevent this, you can paint the inside of the doors with Sadolin too.
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Should I paint my 3-Tier timber Garage?
A G&M 3-Tier Garage is watertight because of its construction, so painting isn’t necessary for waterproofing, but it’s still a good idea to keep it painted to protect it from UV damage. UV weathers timber over time, but by keeping it painted, you can prevent this.
For our 3-Tier Garages, you can choose from Sadolin Superdec, Sadolin Quick Dry or Osmo UV Protection Oil. Superdec paint is an opaque finish, while Quick Dry gives a translucent colour, and Osmo Oil is a clear layer which preserves the natural colour of the timber.
If you choose Sadolin paint for your 3-Tier Garage, we’ll give the building its first coat of paint in the workshop, before delivery. Then, about three weeks after delivery, you should apply a second coat of paint. This gives the timber time to settle and may expose thin untreated areas that you can then cover with its second coat.
If your Garage is coated in Osmo, it’ll still get its first coat in the workshop. A second coat isn’t necessary following delivery; however, if you are happy with the colour of the timber and want to preserve it, we’d recommend adding another coat within three months. You’ll find that panels that are more exposed to sunlight may change colour faster than those in the shade due to the UV.
With Sadolin, we recommend you repaint your Garage every 5-7 years, and for Osmo Oil, every 3-5 years. With a 3-Tier Garage, your building will always be watertight regardless of its paint job, so keeping it covered isn’t as imperative; it’s more for aesthetic reasons and to protect from weathering.
Should I paint my Close Board and Strap Garage?
Alongside our standard Garages, we also offer Close Board & Strap Garages, which feature a 5-Tier specification and are clad with pressure-treated rough-sawn boards.
These buildings are extremely weather-resistant and don’t need to be painted for protection. Their construction means they won’t experience water ingress, and their pressure-treated cladding means they’re safe from rot and insects. Over time, these Garages will naturally weather to a silvery tone.
You can choose to paint your Close Board & Strap Garage if you like, but it’s purely for aesthetics – we don’t do it as standard. The cladding has a rough texture, which makes it challenging to paint; you’ll need patience, time and plenty of cans of paint.
One customer persevered with painting, though, and his hard work paid off because his Close Board & Strap Garage is looking fab:
Should I ventilate my single-skinned timber garage?
A single-skinned timber garage is always susceptible to water ingress, so it’s important to keep it ventilated to avoid moisture buildup. Ventilation is particularly important in the winter months when it’s cold and wet.
After wet periods, on the next dry day, it’s best to open up the doors and windows for a few hours to allow any moisture to escape. If dampness persists, try using a dehumidifier to dry out the space.
Should I ventilate my 3-Tier timber Garage?
Even though our 3-Tier Garages are watertight, ventilation is still important, especially if you’re storing wet items like outdoor furniture or a boat. We always recommend having at least one opening window in your 3-Tier Garage. This allows you to ventilate the space, getting rid of moisture and, if you’re parking your car inside, fumes too.
What other maintenance does a timber garage need?
While painting and ventilation are the two main things you need to think about when caring for your timber garage, there are a few other things you can do to keep your garage happy.
Roofing
Many single-skinned garages come with felt roofing. While felt is a good roofing material for smaller timber buildings like sheds, it’s not an ideal choice for a garage. Felt can tear or break down over time, causing water to get through and leak into your timber garage. It’s a good idea to inspect your felt roof regularly and plan to replace it every ten years or so.
Our 3-Tier Garages are all made with steel box profile roofing, which has a polyester coating. This is very durable and low maintenance; you won’t need to worry about respraying a new layer of polyester for at least 20 years.
Rot and Mould
If water ingress is continuously an issue in one area of your single-skinned garage, you might see that a board begins to rot or mould. If you find a rotten board, it’s best to replace it so it doesn’t spread, and take steps to prevent further ingress.
Managing Moisture
Be mindful of what’s growing around your wooden garage. Trees, bushes and long grass that sit up against your garage can trap moisture against the walls. Keeping these trimmed back will ensure the timber can breathe a reduce the risk of moisture ingress.
Guttering
Ideally, your garage will be constructed with a perimeter soakaway, which your guttering will run off into. If you do not have a soakaway or guttering, then the water that comes from the roof will splash back up onto the walls of the garage, causing moisture to penetrate the timber.
If your garage has guttering, make sure to regularly clean it to avoid any blockages. This will allow water to effectively run off your garage, protecting the cladding in the long run.
Timber Garage Maintenance: What’s Required?
The most important thing about timber garage maintenance is that it works for you. By understanding the maintenance requirements, you can choose a timber garage that suits your lifestyle.
Whether it’s painting, ventilating or cleaning out your gutters, keeping an eye on your timber garage and giving it a little bit of care will help it live longer.
If you need more advice on how to care for your timber garage, our team will always be happy to discuss this in your initial Consultation. You can also read our Garage Aftercare Guide for more maintenance tips.
And if you want to see our 3-Tier Garages in action, pop down to our Show Area in Errol, where we’ve got two on display.
