Has the weather taken a toll on your decking? Is it dirty or has the timber turned grey
?
Follow these 2 steps to restore your decking to its natural beauty.
Step 1 - Cleaning
Before treating your decking, you should prepare the timber surface by making sure this is thoroughly cleaned and free from dirt, dust, stains, mildew and algae. By doing this you will open the pores of the wood and achieve maximum adhesion of the stain or oil coating.
The easiest way to clean your decking is using a quality decking cleaner which you'll be able to buy from your local DIY store.
Use a long handled scrubbing brush or stiff broom to clean the timber, let the cleaner saturate for the recommended time and rinse clean using a pressure washer or hose when done.
Only once the decking is clean you can think about a long term treatment to enhance the colour and protect the timber.
Step 2 - Colouring and protecting
There are different types of decking treatment on the market and you should check with your local DIY store to understand which one will suit your decking best.
Most people use decking stains or decking oils which are both used to protect the wood. The main difference between the two is that stains give a more opaque finish and your decking will generally be protected for longer. If you opt for decking oil, you will nourish the wood by replacing its natural oils and achieve a more natural finish. However, your decking will require more maintenance.
You can start treating your decking after the timber has dried completely from cleaning.
I also recommend you start applying the treatment when you're expecting several days of dry weather.
There are a number of application methods which can be used when applying decking treatment such as pad or paint roller.
Make sure you distribute the treatment evenly along the boards and check the drying time on your product packaging before applying the second coat.