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Wooden deck is and always will be a super-stylish element for a home of virtually any design. However, you have to know how to take care of it in the right way and follow all the recommendations to prolong its lifespan and gorgeous look. Below are the best tips that will help you do that perfectly well.
In This Post:
1. Stain or Seal The Wood
By applying a stain for pressure-treated wood, cedar, redwood, composite wood, or tropical hardwood, you can protect it from moisture and pests. Both can bring terrible damage to the decking. Besides, regular staining will keep the wood look new and maintain a lush color. It doesn’t change the color as much as paint does, but lets you achieve elegant hues.
If you don’t want the pigment to change the wood’s natural color, you can use a sealer instead of a stain. It offers totally the same protective characteristics but covers wood with a very clear or transparent layer.
2. Paint Decking Over The Seal Layer
By applying paint over the sealing layer, you can achieve a double protective layer and be sure that nothing goes wrong with the wood. To paint the surface successfully, you have to sand all the glossy spots slightly and wipe them with a rag dampened with some de-glosser. Start painting when the surface dries.
3. Use Oil or Acrylic Paints for Decking
Oil and acrylic paints are a good choice for decking as they are both resistant to cracking from changing temperatures, which also makes them effective against moisture and all the consequences of its penetration. Most decking paints are acrylic and more convenient to apply than oil paints as they don’t smell that much. Oil paints offer the same protective characteristics and a great choice of colors, but the smell caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can lead to sore throat and/or watery eyes.
4. Hire a Painting Contractor
If you’re not sure about your outdoor painting or wood staining skills and knowledge, you should consider hiring a licensed painting contractor. Don’t forget to ask the right questions and check out the reviews carefully to ensure that you hire a real professional who won’t do a shoddy job. The best solution is to interview several contractors to select the best candidate.
5. Avoid Using the Pressure Washer
Cleaning the decking before and after painting or staining shouldn’t be done with a pressure washer. The harsh jet of water may get through the protective layer or even dig out chunks of wood. Brushing with a decking cleaner and hosing it off with a jet hose nozzle is more than enough.
6. Use Water-Resistant Decking Wood
Just in case, you have to use only pressure-treated wood, cedar, redwood, composite wood, or tropical hardwood for decking. These materials are the best when it comes to weather resistance and service life if treated right.
A Deck for Decades
Now you know how to make your deck look great for many years! What would you do next? Maybe it’s time for exterior painting or picking up the new decor for the yard? Stay tuned to this blog and you’ll find all the answers.
