Blog

Restoration guides, project insights, woodworking advice, and the occasional look inside the workshop. Written by the team, based on thirty-five years of experience.

Atelier Desjardins Specialist Floor Finishes August 2026 - Atelier Desjardins

Preparing Your Timber Window & Door Frames for the Summer Rain Season

Johannesburg's summer rain season is one of the most demanding periods for exterior timber. Intense afternoon storms, high humidity, and rapid temperature swings push wood through cycles of expansion and contraction that test every surface, joint, and finish on the exterior of a property. Timber window and door frames, exposed on all sides and subject to direct water contact, are among the first elements to show the consequences. Getting them in order before the rains arrive is one of the most cost-effective things a homeowner can do.

Atelier Desjardins | Timber floor finishes

Specialist Floor Finishes: Oils, Stains, and Sealers – Which is Right for Your Floor?

The finish applied to a timber floor shapes everything that follows – how it looks on the day it's completed, how it ages over time, and how easy or difficult it is to maintain. Choosing the right finish is not a final-step decision. It's a specification that should be made early, with a clear understanding of what each product does and what it's suited to. This article covers the three main categories of timber floor finish and how to choose between them.

Atelier Desjardins Deck Painting Finishing June 2026 - Atelier Desjardins

Deck Sealing & Finishing in Johannesburg: Preparation, Product Choice, and Application

Sealing and finishing a deck correctly is one of the most effective things you can do to extend the life of your exterior timber. It is also one of the most commonly done wrong. In Johannesburg's climate, the difference between a finish that lasts and one that fails within a season comes down to three things: preparation, product choice, and timing. This article covers all three.