Protecting the timber of your home is an important part of being a homeowner. Everyone who has or has had a deck will tell you that regular maintenance is a must. Far too many Aussies fall into the trap of thinking “she’ll be right” and leaving things as they are, but if you want to keep your deck looking ship-shape there are 3 important things to do:
Regular Sweeping – the importance of a regular sweep is easily overlooked. Removing the leaves, dirt and debris from your deck is very important when doing a deep clean but should also be part of your routine. Leaving it too long means you run the risk of safety hazards and growth of mould. Importantly, it helps with the overall aesthetic.
Deep Clean – your deck will need a deep clean at least once a year. If you have a high amount of foot traffic, live somewhere that is more susceptible to mould or find that it gets dirty quickly, then you should be giving it a deep clean more often. There are plenty of quality cleaning products that are designed specifically for decks. Be sure to cover or protect any plants and grass around your deck before applying the cleaner as it can be damaging. It is also recommended that you use a pressure washer to remove any residual product after cleaning. If you don’t have access to one, be diligent with your hose.
Sealant – Perhaps the most important of all is to seal and reseal your deck. Mother Nature and her unpredictable weather has a way of damaging most things when she wants to, and the timber of your decking is no exception. Sealing your deck will protect it from water damage and gives your timber a lovely finish. The frequency with which this is required will depend heavily on the amount of use your deck gets. As a rule, you should be treating your deck once every three years.
If you, like many others, thought that timber stains and oils were essentially the same thing, we are here to tell you you’re both wrong and right. There are absolutely some oils that also stain and some stains that oil your wood at the same time. Technically, they both have a relatively different purpose. There are also a few pros and cons to consider when deciding which product is best for you.
Oil
Oiling deck timber is generally done to protect the materials from the elements. A quality oil will penetrate the wood and protect it from within and leave your decking boards highly resistant to water and dirt whilst providing a sleek finish. Products that are designed only to oil will come in natural or clear colours, but you can also find decking oils that are coloured and will provide a stained finish. It’s worth noting that most coloured decking oils will be labelled as ‘decking stain’ despite being an oil.
Pros:
- Excellent coverage – a quality decking oil will go a long way to making the amount you have to buy, and therefore lowering the cost.
- Easy to apply – due to its neutral colour, decking oil is notably easy to apply. Plus, there is no need to remove the existing product before you add a fresh coat.
- It’s completely rainproof – contrary to popular belief, we do get our fair share of rain here in sunny Australia (some more than others) and a quality decking oil will protect your timber from any water exposure.
- It also protects from UV – also a bit part of Australian life, UV is known to cause damage to wood over time. A generous coating of decking oil will greatly lengthen the life of your timber.
- Variety – there’s such a good variety of oils on the market including ones that cater to specific types of wood. Got a merbau deck? You’ll be able to seek out the best decking oil for merbau specifically.
Cons:
- There are some varieties of wood that aren’t well suited to all oils. Denser woods have a tendency to be naturally oilier and might require a thinner product.
- If you decide later that you want to use a decking stain, you won’t be able to apply it over the top. Before staining, you will need to strip the oil back completely or wait a few years for it to wear off.
Stain
Stain, on the other hand, is a type of varnish that’s main purpose is to add or change the colour of the wood. This product is ideal if you want to make a change to the existing wood and stains come in a variety of different shades. It’ll feel like you have a brand-new deck after a few coats of a dark timber stain. While its primary goal is to provide colour, decking stain will also provide a protective layer to the wood – hence the overlap with oil.
Pros:
- Whilst not completely waterproof, deck stains will offer a layer of shower proof protection via a film-like layer and will minimise wear and tear.
- Like decking oils, decking stains have a reasonable amount of coverage making them easy to apply, along with the bonus of depth in colour.
- Deck stain is typically fast drying making it easy to get on with your day to day tasks almost immediately after application
- Like with decking oil, there are plenty to choose from. This allows you to personalise your deck through colour but also wood types. There is a specific merbau stain to meet all your needs.
Cons:
- Cracking/Peeling – unlike the oil, deck stain has a susceptibility to peeling allowing in moisture and requiring touch ups more regularly
- Deck stain will not go over a deck that has already been oiled
- If you want to change colours or products the current one will need to be completely stripped back before you start.
Whether you choose to go with an oil or a stain, it is entirely up to personal preference. If you shop well, you can even get a multiple of uses out of your product – got black floorboards that also need oiling? What about wooden furniture? You can get products that will also work as an interior furniture stain.
The most important thing is to make sure you invest in a quality product. It will be guaranteed your decking is both protected and looking at its best for longer.