Douglas and Larch age beautifully by nature. With this simple care your structure stays in top condition for decades.
Let the wood grey gracefully, or preserve its colour
Untreated Douglas and Larch slowly turn silver-grey under the influence of sun and rain. This is not wear but a natural process that gives the wood character. Want to keep the warm original colour? Treat the wood once every one to two years with a transparent oil or stain.
Keep the structure clean
Remove leaves and dirt from the roof and gutter in autumn. A blocked gutter causes overflowing water and unnecessary moisture stress on the wood. Clean the woodwork once a year with lukewarm water and a soft brush. Never use a pressure washer: it damages the wood fibres.
Check the connections
Check the fixing points once a year. Wood moves with temperature and moisture, so it is normal for a bolt connection to loosen slightly over time. A quick tightening is enough.
Extra attention for the roof
An EPDM roof is virtually maintenance-free. Clean polycarbonate with water and a non-aggressive detergent. With a sedum roof, remove weeds twice a year and water occasionally in dry summers.
John's tip: leave the wood alone for the first few months. Treating it only once the wood has fully settled gives the best result.