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One of the key ways to ensure your outdoor areas look their best for as long as possible is knowing how to care for your decking. The two most common decking materials are wood and composite; each comes with slightly different maintenance needs.
Here we’ve broken down deck maintenance advice for both, so you can keep your garden ship shape.
Wood decking – also referred to as timber decking – is made by fixing a series of wooded slats together to create a raised platform. It has the benefit of looking timeless and luxurious, but this comes with greater maintenance requirements than other materials.
Important elements of how to care for decking made of wood include:
• Regular treatment – The best way to protect your wooden decking from UV rays and the elements is by regularly treating the timber with wood stain. We recommend staining once every two or three years for optimal defence against warping, cracking, or fading. Finish off your timber decking treatment with sealant for added water resistance – super useful on rainy days!
• Cold protection – As the winter months approach, make sure you’ve cleaned your wooden deck thoroughly and treat it with an extra sealant coat to keep moisture from getting absorbed into the timber. If snow is a regular occurrence in your area, consider also covering your decking for the harshest part of the season.
• Keep it clean – We recommend weekly sweeping of your deck to remove any mildew, dirt, and grime which may have accumulated, followed by a hosing down to get rid of remaining dust. If you feel the need to do a deep clean, stay away from strong chemicals which might damage the material, and instead use a solution of dish soap and water or grab some mild cleaner designed specifically for decking.
• Fixtures inspection – Last but not least on your garden decking maintenance list, make sure you’re keeping an eye out for any screws, nails, or boards that might be coming loose. Stay on top of repairing or replacing those to prolong the life of the timber – and prevent trip hazards or splinters.
Depending on the type of wood your timber decking is made out of, as well as the weather conditions in your local area, it can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years with proper maintenance. For an optimal wood decking lifespan, protect the timber from insects, rot, and sun damage with regular cleaning and staining. Make sure you also repair any damage as soon as you spot it to keep the wood from deteriorating further.
While it has a name for itself for being low maintenance and sturdy, knowing how to clean and maintain composite decking can make a big difference in its appearance and longevity.
Regular cleaning using the right methods is the most important part of composite deck maintenance. While composite decking is generally resistant to mould thanks to its makeup, certain settings might still lead to it developing.
If the area around your deck is shadier, or tends to get damp in colder months, make sure you clean it often and ensure the surface is dry. Should some mould spores slip through and attach to your composite decking, a simple solution of vinegar mixed with water should do the trick of removing it!
For routine cleaning of dirt and debris, we suggest a sweep followed by a wash with your garden hose and a scrub with a soft brush. Avoid using a pressure washer or any coarse brushes, as these might damage your composite decking.
Similar to mould, while composite material generally withstands stains and scratches, it’s still good practice to clean up drink or food spills. You can keep any oily stains from setting by wiping the surface with a soft cloth and some soapy water.
As for scratches, it’s good composite decking maintenance practice to pad the legs of any heavy deck furniture and avoid dragging heavy objects across the surface.
Both wood and composite decking can enjoy a long life with the correct maintenance. But there comes a point when even the best-cared-for deck needs replacing. And, that’s where we can help!
We have a specialist team who can bring their extensive experience to replacing your old decking with a sturdy new solution. Whether you’re looking for a wood deck or composite decking, we guarantee both high-quality workmanship and exceptional customer service.
From helping you choose the best option for your garden to ensuring installation goes smoothly, we’ll be on hand every step of the way.
Explore our garden decking options or get in touch for a no-obligation quote.