Best Waterproof Shed Treatment

Whether waiting out bad weather or just trying to find motivation, the need to protect your shed, fence, or other outdoor wooden structure looms just out of sight. That is why we put together a list of the 5 best waterproof shed treatments, pulling from a wide variety of different types and highlighting what each one does best.

1. Cuprinol Ducksback – Best Water-Based Shed Treatment

Cuprinol is actually the second most experienced company on our list, having been founded in 1937, focused exclusively on wood treatments and cleaners. The Cuprinol Ducksback shed treatment offers one of the more convenient options to use on our list in some respects, though it falls a bit short in others.

For the average consumer, this waterproof shed treatment provides plenty to like with its ability to save time and effort by only requiring 2 coats and drying enough to hand a slight shower within an hour. Thankfully, the Cuprinol Ducksback shed treatment does not only save time and effort but actual money with a low price point.

Of course, not everyone knows how to use waterproof shed treatments ahead of time which is why the water-based formula is nice for beginners as it is easier to clean up. Unfortunately, you may get an opportunity to prove that whether you make a mistake or not as the lid tends to come off easily and make a mess without much effort.

It is also worth noting that as a budget-friendly option, the Cuprinol Ducksback shed treatment does not last as long as some of the other options we encountered – nor does it boast the largest coverage area. However, you will not lack aesthetic choices with this waterproof shed treatment as it offers 8 different colors to choose from.

2. Timbashield Wood Stain – Most Versatile Treatment

Timbashield is actually a brand owned by the A-Chem company which has been around for about 6 ½ decades but does not necessarily specialize in wood treatment products. That said, the Timbashield Wood Stain might be one of the best consumer-grade entries we encountered thanks to its incredible versatility.

While professionals almost always have the proper tools, the average person may not be so well stocked which is why the numerous application methods of this waterproof shed treatment come in handy. It also does not hurt that the Timbashield Wood Stain comes in a wide range of different stain styles, so everyone can find the right one for their aesthetic.

In general terms, this waterproof shed treatment is a solid option as it saves both time and money considering you only need to worry about applying 2 coats to the project. On the other hand, the Timbashield Wood Stain might save you time and effort, but it certainly does not save you money with a modestly high price.

That would not necessarily be the worth thing in the world if this waterproof shed treatment did not also fall a bit short in the overall durability department. Still, the Timbashield Wood Stain tops our list in terms of coverage area, able to seal anywhere from 8 to 12 m2 per L, depending on how porous the wood.

3. Roxil Wood Protection Cream – Best Silicone Shed Treatment

You might not know it based on quality and performance, but Roxil is actually the least experienced company on our list with just a little over 3 ½ decades behind it. However, the Roxil Wood Protection Cream jumps off our list as one of the best and purest performing options that we came across.

If you want a waterproof shed treatment that not only provides the kind of protection that others can only claim and does so for up to 10 years, this is the entry to choose. As if that were not enough, the Roxil Wood Protection Cream also offers additional protection against algae and mould growth.

While that general and specialized durability are nice, what makes it even better is that this waterproof shed treatment also saves you time and effort by only requiring a single coat. Unfortunately, you do not get all of those benefits for free and the one thing the Roxil Wood Protection Cream does not save you is money with its high price tag.

It is also worth noting that while you only need a single coat, the coat of this waterproof shed treatment is extremely thick and reduces its coverage area to just 3 to 5 m2 per liter – by far the lowest reviewed. However, the Roxil Wood Protection Cream is also the only entry on our list that does not stain the wood, allowing the natural wood grain to shine through.

4. Ronseal RSLSFDB5L – Best Solvent-Based Treatment

Though Ronseal can trace its roots back over 2 centuries, it was not until 1956 that the floor and wood seal DIY product line launched and 1997 that it really took hold. That said, Ronseal is now a holding of the Sherwin Williams paint conglomerate and their high-end quality shows through in the Ronseal RSLSFDB5L shed treatment.

It is worth noting that this waterproof shed treatment aims for quality over quantity, so you will ultimately spend more to get its benefits – in more ways than one. That said, it is often worth paying a higher premium price to obtain the kind of long-lasting durability that the Ronseal RSLSFDB5L shed treatment provides.

On the other hand, you also have to pay for this waterproof shed treatment’s quality in both time and effort as a proper seal requires 3 full coats – the most on our list. Thankfully, even with 3 coats, the Ronseal RSLSFDB5L shed treatment still offers a solid coverage area of 9.6 m2 per liter – the second-best reviewed.

What is even nicer is that this waterproof shed treatment not only protects against water damage and warping but also safeguards against rot, decay, and woodworms. As an added cherry on top, the Ronseal RSLSFDB5L shed treatment also pays special attention to aesthetics, offering 5 different colors to choose from.

5. Bartoline Creocote – Best Budget Shed Treatment

Out of all the companies on our list, none of them have anywhere near the amount of experience that Bartoline claims with almost 1 ¼ century under its belt. However, the Bartoline Creocote shed treatment takes a completely different approach from the other entries that makes it ideal for professional contractor purposes.

For one, this waterproof shed treatment comes in a standard consumer-grade size of 4 L, but it also comes in a commercial-grade size of 20 L – the largest quantity on our list. As if that were not enough, the Bartoline Creocote shed treatment also provides a solid coverage area that ranges between 6 to 8 m2 per L.

As if that were not enough, this waterproof shed treatment is fairly efficient, requiring only 2 coats to soak into the wood. Unfortunately, the Bartoline Creocote shed treatment might spread itself a bit too thin in its efforts to achieve such a high value as it does not display the kind of durability you would otherwise prefer over the long run.

It is worth noting that this waterproof shed treatment, as the name implies, uses creocote which is an oil-based formula that can be more difficult to clean if you make a mess. Thankfully, the durability and potential messiness of the Bartoline Creocote shed treatment is offset by an extremely low price of £2 per L.

Conclusion

In the end, the specific type of protection you need, how large of a project you have, and the final aesthetics all play into which is the best waterproof shed treatment. If you want an option that can stand up to serious punishment without discoloring the beautiful wood grain, the Roxil Wood Protection Cream is an excellent choice.

Of course, if you would like to stain the wood while simultaneously protecting it from water as well as various organisms, then the Ronseal RSLSFDB5L Wood Preserver might be more your style. On the other hand, someone just looking to get the job done and save a few pounds while they are at might want to check out the Bartoline Creocote.

If you have multiple projects that each require a different type of application, the Timbashield Wood Stain offers a cornucopia of choice with added value. Finally, if you need a waterproof shed treatment that cleans up as easily as it goes on, the Cuprinol Ducksback’s water-based formula is more your speed.