I’ve just bought two doors from Lapeyre that will need ‘finishing’ with either stain or varnish before fitting. Can anyone recommend a brand of whatever - I know that they would both treat the wood but which is the best long-term. I don’t know the answer to that so that’s why I’m asking. If someone has had some experience with a superior brand (to be bought in France) I would very much like to know, please.
Rachel, it’d be helpful to know if your doors are external or internal, as the former need better (and more expensive protection).
They’re external doors - one for the front of the house and the other for the back.
We had a similar discussion about paint or stain for shutters in April 2021. It obviously depends a bit on exposure. In full sunshine facing south is probably the least durable situation. My suggestion was based on finding french paint particularly expensive, and that it did not last significantly longer than cheaper UK paints. However its not the initial finish that is the problem, but the challenge of stripping back, sanding, etc before refinishing after 5 or so years.
As a result I chose years ago to use longlasting external woodstain finish with an opaque protective filler. "I found that the coloured products from Sadolins and Sikkens were best for my purposes. e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahPQdj7-T-s 2
Since using these on external woodwork I have only had to do a quick rub down and then recoat every few years. (The opaque coloured filler protects the wood, but it can still breathe). In the massively hot and sunny conditions in Australia, its recoated every couple of years if its the clear treatment. e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahPQdj7-T-s 2 However in the UK I have found that I need to consider a recoat of a coloured opaque finish every 5 years or so. In France see e.g. Revêtements de protection pour bois intérieurs et extérie | Sikkens Wood Coatings "