Environmentally Friendly
Free delivery over £30*
Made in the UKMade in the UK with pride
Where it all began
Protek is a family owned and run manufacturing business based in the Mendip Hills in Somerset.
The business was set up by Eric and Janet Thornborough in 1983 with a vision to sell quality water-based wood stains, decorative timber coatings and preservatives. They developed products that gave good coverage, were effective and long lasting, yet were kind to the environment.
Today the business is run by their two daughters, Becky and Harriet, who are fiercely proud of Protek and all it stands for.
The Environment
For almost 40 years Protek have been thinking about the environment.
Whilst everyone else was using harsh and toxic chemicals, such as creosote Protek developed a range using only water-based technology.
Four years ago, Protek decided to move all of their packaging to metal tins, that could be recycled or even reused. Where this wasn’t possible they sourced recyclable plastic buckets.
Colour charts are created as a guide for colour selection and if you need to know exactly what colour a stain will produce on your timber product, sample pots are available for all colours in all of the ranges.
What has changed since 1983
The biggest change is colour.
When Protek started there was a choice of browns and greens. Today there are over 100 colours to choose from on trend blacks and anthracite greys to the subtle greens and blues.
Awards
Protek are delighted to be finalists in the Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year category as part of the Somerset Business Awards 2022.
Water based paints
All of the water-based paints contain low or minimal VOC (volatile organic compounds) and they are low in odour.
Child Safe
All of the products have been independently tested and approved to meet ‘toy safety standards’ so parents can paint playhouses, sandpits, climbing frames and toys with total confidence.
Animal Safe
All of the products are completely animal safe which is why they are used on animal housing including stables.
Bird Safe
All of the products are safe to use on bird houses including nesting boxes and chicken coups.
Plant safe
As all the products are water-based, they are completely safe for plants, so you can paint behind the beautiful climber with total confidence.
Bee Safe
All of the products are actively being used by the bee keeping community due to the low VOCS and low odour.
Who uses Protek?
Everyone!
Protek has and still continues to be used extensively by the timber trade for pre-treated fences and sheds etc.
More and more customers are shopping on the website having been inspired by gardens on Instagram and Facebook.
Collaborations
Protek have worked with a number of key personalities and creators to make a range of exclusive colours.
Design_at_Nineteen - Protek created a ‘Nude Taupe’ for Justin that would fit his specific neutral brief.
Victoria Road Restoration – a unique ‘Miami Vibes’ colour was created for Lucy to make her daughters’ bedroom ‘pop’
Prue Leith- After over 46 years Prue moved into a new house, which was every bit as colourful as her clothes. Working together Prue and Protek created an exclusive colour pallet including Guardsman Red, Quinky, Emerald, Bristol Blue and Lime Green.
As seen on TV
Protek is being used by many of the TV gardening shows including Love Your Garden, Filthy Gardens, Garden Rescue and DIY SOS.
