Yes. Pepe's Scandinavian redwood garden furniture is designed to stay outside all year round, and we recommend it. The wood draws moisture out in summer and takes it back in during the wetter winter months, which keeps it stable. What it needs from you is a little autumn care: one coat of protector every two to three years, a breathable cover if you want to keep it clean, and a dry home for your cushions.
As the evenings draw in, many people's first instinct is to drag the garden furniture into the shed. With good-quality, pressure-treated timber that's rarely necessary, and it can even do more harm than good. Here's how to get your wooden garden furniture through a British winter and looking its best when spring arrives.
Why leaving redwood outside is good for it
Timber is a natural material that responds to the air around it. Left outdoors, it follows a steady seasonal rhythm: it dries gently through summer and reabsorbs moisture over winter. Moving furniture between a damp garden and a dry shed or garage breaks that rhythm. Sudden changes in moisture are what make wood swell, shrink and open up cracks.
Three things make Pepe furniture suited to life outdoors:
- Slow-grown Scandinavian redwood (Pinus sylvestris). Trees grown in a harsh northern climate grow slowly, producing dense, tight-grained timber that is far tougher than fast-grown softwood.
- Pressure treatment during manufacture. The timber is impregnated to BS EN 599 standards, giving protection against rot and decay for twenty years or more.
- PEFC-certified, sustainably sourced wood, so the furniture you buy to last a lifetime comes from responsibly managed forests.
You may notice small "shake" cracks appearing along the grain over time. These are a natural feature of solid timber as it moves with the seasons, not a structural fault. Regular protector treatment helps keep them to a minimum.
Autumn is the best time to treat your furniture
If there's one garden job worth doing in Autumn, it's this. After a summer outdoors the timber is at its driest, so it absorbs protector easily and deeply. We recommend re-treating every two to three years, or more often if your furniture sits in a coastal or exposed spot.
Pepe Furniture Protector is a colourless, water-repellent wax resin developed with a specialist timber protection company. It isn't a varnish: it soaks into the wood rather than sitting on top, so the timber can still breathe. It repels moisture, adds UV resistance and brings out a rich, natural grain.
How to apply it
- Pick a dry spell. Wait for a few dry days so the wood has dried out properly after any rain.
- Clean first. Brush off leaves and dirt, and wash away any green algae with warm soapy water. Let it dry completely. Our guide to cleaning wooden garden furniture has more detail.
- Brush or sponge it on. A brush works best because it reaches between the seat slats.
- Be generous on the top surfaces. Table tops, seats, arms and swing seats take the brunt of the rain. Use what's left on the undersides.
- Apply one coat only. A second coat won't absorb or dry properly.
One thing to note: if you plan to paint or stain your furniture, don't use the protector first. Other products won't absorb into or stick to timber that has been treated.
Do you need a cover?
A cover isn't essential for the wood itself, but it keeps furniture clean and dry through the months you're not using it. That means less scrubbing in spring and fewer leaves, bird droppings and algae to deal with.
The key is breathability. Wrapping furniture in plastic sheeting or a cheap tarpaulin traps condensation against the wood, which encourages mould and mildew. Pepe made-to-measure covers are:
- Waterproof and breathable, so rain stays out and moisture can escape
- Made from strong 750 denier polyester with sealed seams
- Secured with eyelets and a draw cord around the base, so they stay put in winter winds
- Cut to fit each Pepe piece, with no loose fabric to flap or pool water
Shop by type: swing covers, table covers, chair and bench covers and sunbed and recliner covers.
Treat your furniture first, let it dry fully, then cover it.
Cushions, canopies and parasols
Cushions. Pepe cushions are made from Olefin, a 100% polypropylene fabric that feels as soft as cotton drill but won't rot or fade and is fully resistant to mildew. The polyester fibre filling doesn't hold water, so cushions dry quickly after a shower. Even so, we suggest storing them somewhere dry over winter so they stay fresh for spring. Before you put them away, spot-clean any marks with warm soapy water, rinse with a hose and let them dry completely. They can also be dry cleaned if needed.
Swing canopies. Both mesh canopies (PVC-coated polyester) and fabric canopies (Olefin) can be washed with warm soapy water and rinsed with a hose. Make sure they're fully dry before storing or covering.
Parasols. Parasol frames shouldn't stay out over winter. Store them somewhere dry.
Your winter checklist
[ ] Wait for a dry spell in September or October
[ ] Brush off leaves and wash away algae and dirt
[ ] Apply one coat of Furniture Protector (if it's been two to three years, or sooner in coastal or exposed gardens)
[ ] Wash cushions and canopies, dry them fully and store them indoors
[ ] Bring parasol frames inside
[ ] Fit breathable covers once the protector has dried
[ ] Move furniture off soft lawn onto a patio or paving if you can, so feet aren't sitting in wet ground
[ ] Check covers after storms and clear pooled water or fallen leaves
Built to last decades, not seasons
Pepe has been making garden furniture since 1988, and some of our earliest pieces are still spending their winters outdoors. Here's what customers tell us:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ - "Fantastic furniture, ours is 30 years young and still going strong."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ - "I bought my first one of these stools over 30 years ago, really handy for the garden, look great and last forever! Great quality!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ - "Bought a tin of the protector to re-do our 22 year old swing seat. It has come up really well and almost looks like new."
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave wooden garden furniture outside all winter?
Yes. Pepe's pressure-treated Scandinavian redwood is designed to stay outside all year. The natural cycle of drying in summer and reabsorbing moisture in winter keeps the timber stable.
Should I store garden furniture in the shed over winter?
It's not necessary for Pepe furniture, and moving timber between damp outdoor air and a dry indoor space can cause it to swell, shrink and crack. Cushions and parasol frames are the exceptions: store those somewhere dry.
When is the best time to oil wooden garden furniture?
Autumn, after a few dry days. The wood is at its driest after summer and absorbs protector most easily.
How often should I treat wooden garden furniture?
Every two to three years, or more often if it's in a coastal or exposed position.
Can I apply two coats of protector?
No. Apply one generous coat. A second coat won't absorb or dry.
Will a cover cause mould?
Non-breathable plastic sheeting can trap condensation and cause mould. A breathable, waterproof cover like Pepe's made-to-measure covers lets moisture escape while keeping rain out.
Why is my wooden furniture getting small cracks?
Fine cracks along the grain, called shakes, are a natural feature of solid timber as it responds to the seasons. They aren't a structural problem, and regular protector treatment helps reduce them.
My furniture has gone grey. Can it be restored?
Usually, yes. Clean it, let it dry and apply one coat of Pepe Furniture Protector. One customer restored a 22-year-old swing seat this way.
Get your furniture winter-ready
A dry afternoon this autumn is all it takes to protect your garden furniture for years to come.
- Pepe Furniture Protector: one coat, colourless, available in 0.5, 1 and 2.5 litre tins
- Made-to-measure covers: waterproof, breathable and cut to fit every Pepe piece
- Care and maintenance guide: full aftercare advice for your timber, cushions and canopies
Not sure which tin or cover you need? Get in touch and our team will be happy to help.
