Wood Varnish for Decorating Projects
Protect your wooden surfaces while maintaining their natural colour​​ and grain with trade-quality wood varnish. The Paint Shed offers a diverse range of wood varnishes from trusted brands like Dulux Trade, Coo-Var, Sadolin and Johnstone’s Trade.Â
Shop online with The Paint Shed and enjoy free standard delivery on orders over £50*.
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Johnstone's Trade Woodworks Durable Quick Dry Polyurethane Varnish SatinFrom £12.16 £10.13 -
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Wood varnish is a clear protective coating that enhances the appearance of wooden surfaces without altering their natural colour. Unlike stains and paints, varnish forms a transparent layer on top of the wood. It enriches the wood grain while providing a tough and durable shield against scratches, scuffs, spills, and dirt.Â
For those who want to change the colour of their wooden furniture, start by applying a wood stain. Once dry, follow with a varnish to seal and protect the surface.
Choosing the right wood finish is key to extending the life and beauty of your favourite furniture, wooden floors, or decking.Â
The main benefits of applying varnish to wood include:
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Excellent protection: Varnish creates a barrier that helps prevent scratches, scuffs and everyday wear.
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Improved durability: By forming a tough, hard-wearing surface, varnish increases the longevity of the wood, especially on table tops, doors and skirting boards.
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Enhances appearance: Varnish enriches the natural beauty of wood, bringing out its full character.
The Paint Shed stocks a wide variety of wood varnishes to suit every type of project, from interior wooden furniture to exterior decking, garden furniture and fences. With options in different finishes and formulations, it’s easy to find the right product for your needs.
Diverse Finishes
Our range of varnishes comes in multiple finishes, allowing you to choose the look that works best for your project.
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Gloss: Products like Dulux Trade Diamond Glaze Clear Gloss create a polished, reflective look, perfect for formal interior spaces.
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Satin/Medium sheen: Satin finishes like Dulux Trade Diamond Glaze balance subtlety and shine, ideal for table tops and skirting boards.
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Matt: Matt varnishes like Fiddes Premier Wood Varnish creates a natural, understated finish, ideal for fences, decking or rustic wooden surfaces.
Water & Oil-Based Formulations
We stock both water-based and oil-based wood varnishes, each offering distinct benefits:
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Water-based wood varnish is quick drying, low odour and non-yellowing. This makes it perfect for interior and new wood, where low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are preferred. Johnstone’s Quick Dry Polyurethane Floor Varnish is a popular option.
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Oil-based varnishes like Sadolin Polyurethane Extra Durable Varnish are formulated with natural oils like linseed oil, beeswax and natural resins. These ingredients provide a tough and long-lasting finish. With deeper penetration, they’re especially effective as exterior wood varnish, making them ideal for outdoor projects or heavy-use wooden floors.Â
Outdoor & Indoor Applications
We offer varnishes for both interior and outdoor projects.
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Indoor wood varnish: Products like Dulux Trade Diamond Glaze are water-based and suitable for internal wooden surfaces like wooden furniture, skirting boards, wooden floors and doors.
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Outdoor wood varnish: Options like Sadolin Outdoor Varnish Satin are formulated to withstand UV, dirt and moisture while retaining a durable finish. Ideal for decking, fences and other exterior wooden surfaces needing a waterproof, weather-resistant seal.
Refresh your wooden surfaces with high-quality varnish for wood from trusted trade brands. Order online today or visit us at your nearest Paint Shed location.Â
FAQs
Wood varnish forms a clear, protective layer over the wood, preserving its natural appearance while adding a glossy, satin or matte finish.Â
Wood stain, on the other hand, penetrates the wood to change its colour, therefore adjusting the wood's natural appearance.Â
Wood varnishes are suitable for most wooden surfaces, including doors, window frames, wooden cabinets and floors. It’s also used on exterior wood such as decking and fences.Â
The drying time for wood varnish varies depending on brand, humidity levels, temperature and thickness of the application. Water-based wood varnish is often touch-dry within hours and re-coatable the same day, while oil-based versions can take 24–48 hours. Always check the product’s instructions for best results.Â
Yes. The main options are oil-based and water-based varnishes. Both protect wood effectively, but differ in drying time, odour and durability.
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Water-based varnish is faster drying, doesn’t have a strong smell, and will not yellow over time.
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Oil-based varnishes are more durable, tend to last longer, and typically withstand a few knocks and hits a bit better. However, they do contain more VOCs. Some oil varnishes can discolour over time, but that’s a case of years (even decades) rather than a couple of months.
Coverage depends on the type of varnish, the number of coats and the size of the surface. Most high-quality varnishes are formulated to a high enough standard that two or three coats will see you through. Many of the quicker-drying products, like Johnstone’s Quick Dry Polyurethane Floor Varnish Satin, allow multiple coats in one day.
Still have some questions? Have a look at our tips and advice page for more guidance, or contact us.Â
Shop Quality Woodcare Products at The Paint Shed
At The Paint Shed, we make it easy to buy all your woodcare essentials in one place. Alongside our range of wood varnish, we stock wood stains, oil and wax, wood fillers, preservers and treatments to get the job done right.Â
Get in Touch
Don’t forget our team of woodcare experts are here to help you every step of the way. Just reach out to us by phone on 033 3320 2369, or ask the experts at your local Paint Shed location.
Enhance and protect your wooden surfaces with quality wood varnish from The Paint Shed. Sign up for our newsletter and get 5% off your first order.