[rogertb]

Hi chaps ... I want to treat my timber shed with something that soaks in rather than sits on the surface like paint does, I don't care about the colour but easy application and long lasting. Is bitumen still available and if so should I also treat the insides of the timber (and therefore are the bitumen fumes bad for you) ... any advice very welcome ... Roger

[Casey76]

I believe Creocote is the approved replacement for creosote

[Lardman]

I've not found any of the modern treatments very long lasting at all.

The modern equivalent I bought from Wickes needed repeating every year, so last year I purchased some shockingly expensive ducksback. Whilst it was surprisingly good initially, it really will need reapplying again this year a far cry from the 5 years proclaimed on the front of the can. 

Whatever you choose I think you're looking at repeating the process at least every 2 years.

[Yorkie]

See here onwards in this thread for a discussion on this point:
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=112753.msg1292107#msg1292107

[rogertb]

ok like a dolt I mentioned bitumen when I should have said creosote ... I kind of like the idea of cresote but are the fumes dangerous inside a shed ?

[Yorkie]

ok like a dolt I mentioned bitumen when I should have said creosote ... I kind of like the idea of cresote but are the fumes dangerous inside a shed ?

The original creosote has been banned for many years as it was found to have carcinogenic (cancer-causing) properties 

Creocote is the safer replacement, or there are wood stains / products like those mentioned on the other thread.

[Sparkyrog]

ok like a dolt I mentioned bitumen when I should have said creosote ... I kind of like the idea of cresote but are the fumes dangerous inside a shed ?

The original creosote has been banned for many years as it was found to have carcinogenic (cancer-causing) properties 

Creocote is the safer replacement, or there are wood stains / products like those mentioned on the other thread.

Many years ago (like 35 when I was working on a farm) we used to mix creosote with old engine oil it worked a treat ! dont know if it would mix with creocote 

[Trillium]

Don't know if this helps but I hate having to repaint things so I plan to cover my new shed and coop with some inexpensive poly siding. It'll look nice plus hold up for many years.

[fatcat1955]

Get some Barn Black. Last's for ages and despite the name does come in other colour's. It is expensive but you get what you pay for.

[rogertb]

Thank you all so much ... I will make some decisions.

Can't find 'Barn Black' online though fatcat ?

[fatcat1955]

Google Bedec barn paint

[grendel]

Many years ago (like 35 when I was working on a farm) we used to mix creosote with old engine oil it worked a treat ! dont know if it would mix with creocote 

my wifes granddad just used to use the engine oil, we dug out some timber he had coated over 20 years ago and used it to make some decking, the oiled beams were still in very good shape (though I did get dirty hands from it after all that time.)
Grendel