How Do You Take Care Of A New Wood Deck?

As an extension of your living space, and an area you are likely to be spending a lot of your family time, your new wooden deck needs to look clean and sanitary, and feel stable for as long as possible.    It also helps if your deck can look new for longer, both for your family and the many friends you will be hosting and entertaining there. In other words, you want to maximize your new deck investment.    On this page, you will learn tips on how to take care of your new wood deck. We will also answer the most pertinent questions new deck owners ask on deck maintenance.   Deck maintenance tips: How to keep your wood deck looking new     If you don’t properly care for it, your wood deck will rot and break down long before it has to. A neglected deck also exposes your family and friends to the risk of injury.   Here are tips on how to maintain your new deck so it looks its best for longer:   1. Sweep your deck regularly to remove dead leaves    It sounds obvious that you should work out a cleaning schedule for your new deck to maintain its looks. But it is important to know that some types of dirt have a more damaging effect on your deck than others.   If you have tall trees around the vicinity of your deck, it is a given that you are going to have a lot of dead leaves falling onto your deck. Normally that shouldn’t be a big problem. But if your climate is wet and humid, dead leaves allowed to collect and sit – especially in the corners – will start to rot.    Rotting leaves will leave unsightly spots on your deck that will be hard to remove.    Even worse, if the rotted leaves are left uncleaned for too long, the wooden boards underneath will start to rot too. When that happens, it is not only the deck’s looks you will be worrying about. The deck may become unstable, putting the safety of everyone who uses it at risk.   When cleaning your deck, use a blower to remove both dead leaves, debris, as well as dust. Make sure to remove all dirt stuck between deck boards and to reach well into the corners.   2. Keep your new deck free of clutter   Cleaning and maintaining your deck becomes a challenge if there is clutter everywhere. If you have chosen to furnish it, make sure everything is kept tidy and orderly.   Make sure to move your couches, daybeds, and other furniture you keep on the deck every time you clean. Decluttering also makes the deck a safer place to lounge and to entertain guests.   3. Stain your new deck to prevent sun bleaching      We generally stain the wood to get the colour of shade we prefer. But for decks, in particular, wood stains have an aesthetic as well as a protective function.    But it’s important to note that staining your deck only protects it from sun damage. Staining offers minimal if any protection where moisture damage is concerned.   However, there are products that combine both staining and sealing qualities. This means you only apply once and your deck will be protected from both sun and moisture damage.   That said, sealants that contain a stain or pigment do not always produce the most pleasing results. The stain isn’t always uniform. So do a test first by applying to a small area to see if the result is what you are looking for.   4. Apply a sealant to protect your new deck from rot   Wood, unfortunately, is susceptible to damage by the elements. The most damaging of these is moisture from rain, which causes rot, mold, and mildew.    Rot destroys wood, ruining both your deck’s looks and structural integrity. So it’s important to waterproof your deck to prevent it from rotting. The best way to do this by applying a sealant.    If you are going to stain your wood deck, it’s best to do that before applying a sealant. But if you prefer your deck in your chosen wood’s natural shade, you can go ahead and apply the sealant. The deck will still be just as protected.   Sealants have a viscous consistency that seals the wood grain and prevents moisture from seeping in. So if you’re asking, yes, you do need to seal your new deck. But you shouldn’t do it immediately after installation.    In fact, there is a good reason to wait it out: How long should you wait to treat a new deck?     For new decks, it is best to wait for the preservative on your wooden decking to weather out before applying sealant. That normally takes 30 days.    Why should you wait 30 days before treating your new deck? Because preservatives used on the wood prevent sealant from properly penetrating and adhering to the wood.    You should do a moisture test to know when to seal your new deck. Splash some water on the deck and see if it beads up or soaks into the wood. If it beads up, the deck is not ready. And if the water absorbs into the wood, the deck is ready to seal.   For the best results, wait until the deck is well dried and free of dust and dirt before sealing. You will not be able to clear any spots or dirt marks you seal over unless you sand the decking first.   Is it better to stain or paint a deck?   Besides applying a sealant, you can also apply a deck paint, although it does not work as best as a sealant will.    Basically, you want a sealant that will absorb into the wood and treat it from inside and not one that forms a film on the surface.

How Many Years Should a Wooden Deck Last?

  Your choice of wood as the decking material for your new deck is not a peculiar one. Many homeowners prefer wooden decking for its warm, tactile feel and variety of hues that appeal to a wide range of tastes.   As the only renewable building material, choosing wood for your decking is also good for the environment. Lumber also uses much less energy to mill than it takes to produce other building materials.   With that said, deck durability is a genuine concern with people who choose wood as their decking material. How well can it withstand sun and moisture damage? Just how long does a wood deck last?   What Is The Life Expectancy of a Wood Deck?   Your wooden deck’s life expectancy is a function of the type of wood you choose, the quality of the deck’s construction, its maintenance, and how well you protect it from moisture and sun damage.   By choosing Jay Fencing as your contractor for the wood deck project, you can be confident your deck will be well made, secure, and will spot a design that catches the eye.    As a decking material, wood is fairly long-lasting, especially if it’s pressure treated, which is what we recommend. With regular maintenance, we can give your wood deck a life expectancy of up to 15 years. For how well it boosts your property’s curb appeal and expands its livable space, that represents a fair return on your investment.   It’s also worth mentioning that wood decking comes in a range of options, all of which come with their unique qualities. That does mean, too, that some types of wood aren’t strong enough to use as decking material. You have to consider your choices carefully.   What Is The Best Wood for Decking?   Wood’s aesthetic qualities are undoubted. But for its suitability as a decking material, the type of wood you choose has to pass the durability test. Unless pressure-treated, softwoods are prone to rot and sun bleaching that you will not enjoy your deck for long before it falls apart.   After pressure-treated softwoods, which is the most popular, redwood and cedar are your two most viable decking options. Redwood is a durable, good looking decking material that will keep its shape, maintain its looks, and stay safe to use for up to 25 years. It is stable, does not warp, and makes a great option. The only wrinkle is it doesn’t come cheap.   In terms of maintenance, with the periodic reapplication of a sealer and regular cleaning, redwood will last the longest. Cedar, on the other hand, isn’t as hardy. Technically a softwood, the wood tends to splinter and is not as strong as redwood. But its natural resistance to rot is a redeeming quality.   As soft as it is, cedar won’t do well as your main decking material. However, if you use it for the guard rails that don’t have to support a lot of weight, it offers a good way to bring down the overall cost of your deck, especially if you are using the pricier redwood.   When Should I Replace My Wooden Deck?   With proper care and maintenance, you can enjoy long and reliable service from your wooden deck. But it will not last forever. At some point, you will have to replace the deck, either because of a tired, weathered look or weakening structural strength.   It is possible to extend your wooden deck’s life by replacing worn boards with new ones. That said, your deck is only as strong as the structure that supports it. For this reason, take care to regularly inspect your deck for structural damage on the posts and guard rails.   Signs that a wood deck’s best days are behind it include wood rot, noticeable damage and excessive wear, loose boards, rusted hardware, and loose railings.    And even without noticeable damage or structural instability, after 15 years of consistent use, your deck will eventually start to look its age. That will be a good time to invest in a new wood deck.   Jay Fencing is an experienced contractor for decks and other outdoor wooden structures. We have completed many projects throughout Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Mississauga, Toronto, Hamilton and all of Southern Ontario.   We are excited you are considering adding a wood deck to your property and are happy to guide you through the many deck design and construction options available. Contact us today for a free consultation.