When the summer arrives, the time to make the most out of your decking is here.
As soon as we spot the sunshine, we're out there getting the barbeque ready, the loungers out and inviting friends and family over.
But, after a harsh winter, you may not have noticed, but your decking certainly isn't visitor-ready.
Winter weather has given the decking a battering, so it's certainly in dire need of some prepping.
Here are some top tips to make sure your decking stands out above the rest at summer.
Assessment
Firstly the most important thing to do is figure out what condition your timber decking is in.
By assessing this you'll know exactly what products you need to get and not waste your money on products you don't need.
If your decking is younger than six months then there is no need to treat it, as premature treatment can actually damage its life.
It needs to be left alone for the first half of the year, but if it's older than that, you need to get treating.
If you want you can strip back an existing finish to add a new one. Bear in mind this will take the decking back to bare wood.
Pre-clean
Before you start with any intricate treatment, the best thing to do is give the decking a decent clean.
Try by giving the decking a deep clean with a pressure washer in order to get up any mould, algae or dirt. If you don't have a pressure washer, you may struggle to remove this, so it's worth investing in a decent option to ensure your decking stays looking as good as new.
If your decking isn't filthy but still needs to be freshened up, use a scrubbing brush or broom, as this will help get all the expected dirt out of all the grooves in the wood.
How will you treat it?
There is a variety of ways you can treat your decking, depending on the style you want. The most popular are:
Oils
Oiling decking has many positives, for example, the oils replace the natural oils in the timber that are lost over time. In addition to this, the oils waterproof the decks to stop it from warping
Paints
You can paint your decking to whatever style suits you.
Many people think decking is just a 'boring' beige, but there are many different colours that can spruce up your garden, and doesn't cost the earth.
Decking paints also help to stop splinters and fill in small cracks around the decking. Stains and paints will require regular application almost every summer to keep it in good condition.
When
It's best to care for your timber decking at least twice a year.
Firstly, you will need to prepare just after winter and before spring in order to be fully prepared for the summer months. Then, just as autumn arrives, it has the best protection needed to endure the horrible British winter.
Never apply in wet or damp conditions so make sure to check the forecast before you start, if it rains before your chosen treating agent has dried, it will ruin the decking and you will most likely have to start again.
If possible avoid treating in severe heat as the treatment may dry before it's absorbed into the wood.
You can visit our website to view our full range of timber decking, decking kits and maintenance tips! If you have any questions or queries about our products/services, please do not hesitate to contact us, we would be happy to help!