Hello Redkez, I think it could take 5 or 6 years for the cladding to change colour during the aging process, so being able to speed it up would help. As Rachel says, if you try any of these methods, do a test area.

If you do decide to stain or paint it, you would need to ensure the product is suitable as some may interfere with the natural properties of the wood. It will be an expense and once you have done it, you may need to keep doing it every few years to keep it looking good.

A difficult choice...it would look great in a dark grey, it would be much less dominant, help it to recede and would be an immediate fix, but it would also look lovely in a natural faded silver colour.

I think I'd try some of the suggestions above first and then make your decision. But I would strongly advise you to speak to timber and cladding specialists and get their advice before doing anything.... Good luck

This stuff is made from salt, essentially and is fairly inexpensive. In your situation I'd be wary of algae from the trees - wash with a specific treatment every two years or so. I'd be concerned about the different weather exposures of the front and back of those boards leading to warping/cracking. Any treatment will help. Perhaps the building doesn't get much sun, but where it does, the wood will shrink and expand much more, naturally. Osmo make a good exterior product which will maintain the basic natural wood colour and provide better weather resistance over the years. It will darken/patina over time. Methinks you prefer the grey look, so I'd go for the Lifetime if I was you. Good luck! http://www.valhalco.com/index.php

With a coating you need to factor in the maintenance of the coating in line with the manufacturers recommendations but at least you get a fresh new look each time. The are different options from translucent to solid colour stains. Owatrol UK has a good range and offers next day delivery for orders placed before 3pm. It's a fine summer house by the way and the cladding does look wonderful.

Redkez the product you need is called SiOO:X, Russwoods supply it. It was originally conceived to achieve consistency in weathering for large projects. Seems like you have some shade there...? Our last boathouse clad in larch began to weather after only a few months...if you do want the natural look just wait, otherwise if you want the silvered look SiOO:X is the product for you. BW Alex

Hi,

I'm not suggesting this as a treatment as the cladding is already in place but I thought I would throw it in the mix as its a fascinating process.

The Japanese have been using burnt wood technique for hundreds of years.

Shop Sugi Ban

"Burning cedar or some other wood gives it a charcoal barrier that is rot and fire resistant ... and very distinctive looking,"

www.angel-martin.com

www.3dinteriorillustration.co.uk

Patience! It's beautiful!

I painted mine black as well as all my fencing. Surrounded by bamboo, Jasmine, grasses etc it looks amazing, the planting really stand outs.

Your building looks lovely! If you can bare it, I'd wait for another winter of weathering. The problem with treating it with a colour is that there's no going back.

With beautiful Larch like that, I would let it age naturally.

Regarding the Japanese charred wood as mentioned by Angel Martin Interiors, it really needs to be an inch thick to start with as the charring will probably warp thinner timber such as standard tongue and groove. Here is a useful link for anyone interested in this technique; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aZx8JUr-0g .

As you will see in the video the charring needs to be done in advance of fitting, reading the comment by Austin Liu will tell you the whys and wherefores of the technique, one name for which is Yaki suge.

I use it for table tops and other furniture but prefer to brush off a lot of the char to reveal the grain, then seal with a floor quality clear water based varnish,usually 4-5 coats, sanding in between.

It would look very smart black: go for it.

Wow Tricia what a stunning place you have