Product of the month: Resene Woodsman

10 Nov 2025

If you’ve got a project where timber is going to be a core feature, Resene Woodsman is your go-to for achieving lasting protection while also letting the grain and beauty of the wood shine through. The Resene Woodsman range, designed for exterior use, enhances and protects everything from decks and fences to weatherboards and architectural cladding.

The range includes Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain, a durable waterborne formula made specifically for decks and other walk-on surfaces, and Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain, a solvent-borne option that penetrates deeply into timber for a rich, traditional oiled look. Both of these provide a transparent to semi-transparent finish that celebrates timber’s natural character, rather than hiding it.

Walls and battens stained in Resene Woodsman Charred Black, floor in Resene Gunsmoke with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium in Resene Triple Concrete and Resene Quarter Concrete on top, chair in Resene Shark, bench in Resene Woodsman Bark and medium pot in Resene FX Faux Rust Effect. Cushions from Baya, plant from Danske Møbler. Project by Melle Van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.

If you’re after that sleek, bold look with dark stains, Resene Woodsman can also be specified in Resene CoolColour technology. This innovation reflects more of the sun’s heat than standard colours, reducing stress and heat build-up on timber surfaces without compromising depth of colour. This option is ideal for sun-exposed façades and modern blackened cladding.

Available in a wide range of hues, from soft greys and weathered whites to dramatic charcoals, the Resene Woodsman range gives specifiers the flexibility to achieve anything from coastal calm to contemporary contrast. Tested on everything from cedar to pine, it’s a product line that balances beauty with performance, a natural fit for high-end New Zealand design.

Rear weatherboards stained in Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil Egmont, trellis in Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil Aorangi, swing in Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil Kahurangi and the planter box is Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil Mount Aspiring, deck in Resene Merino and planter in Resene White Pointer. Table from Soren Liv, boots from Allium. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.

Top tips:

• If you are planning to include stained timber surfaces as part of an exterior façade, keep in mind that these surfaces will need to be re-stained every few years to maintain the look of the wood and protect the substrate from moisture and UV damage. Whenever possible, keep stained timber elements at ground level on accessible areas so that future maintenance is quick and easy for your clients. Darker stains will also last significantly longer between re-staining.

• Always test your stain colours before starting, the final shade can vary depending on the timber species and its grain.

Check out the Resene Woodsman range online, and for more advice head to your local Resene ColorShop.

Published: 10 Nov 2025