Hi everyone. Just wondering if anyone knows some good brand name of clear varnish for wood, free from harsh chemicals and no VOCs? Our timber-frame home offices at the back of the garden are soon to be finished, and we’ve got to somehow protect the wood, and especially the flooring. Thanks, Bianca

I’ve never used varnish; we use Danish oil which soaks into the wood rather than providing a varnished coating. It takes a lot of time and effort - you need to keep applying it for the first year so it really builds up and soaks into the wood but our floorboards look beautiful a couple of years later…

Don’t know for the outside of the building, but we used Fiiddes floor wax for our floors - again, hard work but they came up really well. 

Have you had a look at: http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/ - we subscribe to their magazine and they’ve always got great tips, you might find something on their website.

http://www.greenshop.co.uk/natural-paint-128/wood-exterior-199/osmo-garden-furniture-and-decking-oil-201/osmo-anti-slip-clear-decking-oil-2-5-litre-7876.html

I haven’t tested these myself but here are some well known eco brands who do varnish and various other forms of wood treatment.

http://www.auro.co.uk/content/view/66/47/

http://www.ecosorganicpaints.co.uk/store/products-for-wood/cat_4.html

http://www.nutshellpaints.com/en/products/woodtreatment/wood.asp

Thanks lovely ladies for your useful suggestions. We’ll check those, and see which one will suit us best. Cheers, Bianca