Here we look at treatments for your garden decking. Your decking experiences all of the different seasons in your garden and as with most things needs some maintenance to keep it looking it’s best. One way to do this is to apply a treatment to your deck. If new decking has been installed it is recommended to let it weather naturally for six months before applying any decking treatments. Treatments for your decking can include oiling, staining or giving it a lick of paint. First thing to do is to clear the area, removing any tables or chairs or plant pots, and give the decking a good sweep and a thorough clean. After cleaning allow the wood to dry for at least 24 hours before adding any treatment. Then choose the treatment for your decking. You will need a dry day for this project but avoid very hot weather as it may cause the product to dry too quickly and not fully absorb into the timber. When pouring the oil, paint, or stain out from the container make sure that you do this away from the deck to avoid any splashes. Remember to do a patch test first in a discrete part of the decking to check that you are happy with the finish. You can choose to apply with a brush, roller or paint pads. Rollers or paint pads will enable you to cover an area quicker than using a brush. A brush is good when using paint and for any fiddly areas. Start at the handrail or highest part of the deck to avoid drips falling on finished areas. Then work out from a corner to the entrance of your decking area so that you don’t end up walking on boards that you have just treated. Apply two thin coats rather than one thick one. Leave overnight before applying a second coat of treatment. Oils These are highly recommended as they provide a good level of protection and durability. The oil will penetrate into the wood, replacing any natural oils and resins that are lost over time and waterproofing the timber. Oils are more for protection rather than aesthetics and some decking oils also come with UV protection. You can buy clear decking oils or coloured oils which come in a variety of shades. It is recommended to do this every 6-12 months. Stains Staining a deck provides colour but allow you to still see the natural grain of the wood. It is good to chose a deck stain that is a similar colour to your deck or a shade darker. Staining can be carried out every 1-2 years. Paints Painting your decking gives you a lot of options on colour. Not only providing great colour to your garden but also protecting the wood and giving a fresh new look to your decking. We recommend using a paint that has a UV resistant formula and using a primer first if you are using a light paint colour. For all of the above garden decking treatments allow at least 24 hours before walking on your deck.
Looking After Your Garden Decking
Garden decking is a popular choice and looks great in any garden. It provides a very flexible addition to your home and a great entertaining space. As with most things it requires a little maintenance so please see below some tips and advice on looking after your garden decking. Sweep your decking regularly with a hard broom and hose it down to maintain a good deck. Remove any debris that may have accumulated between the boards using a putty knife. Use a decking cleaner to remove any moss, algae or dirt from the decking. Aim to do this twice a year. Ideally once in the spring and once in the autumn. Remember to cover your plants before starting to protect them from the cleaning solution. Do not use any chlorine based bleach for cleaning as although it will clean the deck it will break down the lignin in the deck timber which holds the wood together. A jet washer can be used to clean the deck but it is really important to not use a heavy duty one. One if around 500 to 600 psi but it certainly needs to be smaller than 1500psi. Important to test the pressure washer on a hidden area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the decking. Use as wide a nozzle as possible to evenly distribute the water pressure. Hold the pressure washer about two foot above the deck and hold the nozzle at an angle. It should be noted that jetwashing may cause damage to the timber fibres. Soda crystals can be used to remove any stubborn stains. Water the deck, sprinkle the crystals, and allow to dry before washing away. Allow the deck to dry for several days before applying any type of finish. After thoroughly cleaning add a decking oil. Even though your deck has been pressure treated in the manufacturing stage it will need to be maintained. Apply the oil with a brush. Good practice is to oil the decking once or twice a year. If your wood starts to look tired and grey it needs oiling. Never drag heavy objects on the surface of a deck to avoid damaging the wood. Move planters, chairs and tables occasionally to avoid discolouring the decking. Trim nearby bushes and trees and don’t let leaves and debris pile up in corners. For newly laid decking it is recommended leaving it to weather naturally for about six months before adding a stain or decking oil. More tips to follow on looking after your garden decking.
