Seasonal Maintenance of Your Decking

Traditional Wood v Composite Wood

Hopefully the snow has now gone and those hardy spring perennials such as Daffodils are starting to poke their stems above ground hinting that spring is in the air. Your thoughts now turn to the garden and what needs to be done in the coming year but your eyesight is drawn to your decking and what maintenance is required.

But what season maintenance of your decking needs to be carried out? Here we look at the maintenance and cleaning distinctions between traditional wood and composite decking covering best practices.

Traditional wood decking has been around for quite a few years now and just because wood is a common building material for outdoor living spaces it does not mean that it is the best solution. For the traditional wood deck year round exposure to the elements, especially vast amounts of sun, rain, snow, and ice will wreak havoc on the look and performance of the wooden board. Wooden decking requires routine seasonal maintenance including staining, power-washing, and even the hassle of replacement. For the homeowner, the expenses begin to stack up.

For the owner of a Teckwood wood plastic composite (WPC) deck, seasonal wear and tear hardly applies. Composite decking is made from a mixture of FSC certified wood particles, recycled high density plastics and high performance additives. Thanks to the structural integrity of the resulting bonded polymers the owners of a Teckwood composite decking will not have to worry about warping, splitting, bleaching, and other unsightly signs of erosion. Composite decking can make for a durable outdoor living space at an accessible price point.

Having said all that all types of decking materials will still need a little seasonal maintenance to keep looking good long term.

What are the best practices for the seasonal maintenance of your decking?

Spring

If you own a natural wood deck you know that the spring means that you must be on the lookout for mould, mildew, and other signs of weathering that may have crept in over the cold winter months. Those whose decking’s are made of Teckwood’s composite decking boards will not have to deal with the warping, rotting, nor the discoloration associated with the traditional wooden decking because composite decking’s structure resists erosion. A clean deck is always so much more inviting, so we have broken down the best techniques to spruce up your outdoor space as the snow melts.

Products to Use and Best Practices

Traditional Wood Decks

Use a wood suitable deck cleaner such as Ronseal Decking cleaner. Clean the decking using a wood cleaning product then apply a sealer, toner, or stain to protect the wood and freshen up its appearance.

Teckwood’s composite decking boards do not require such stains. Another reason is that they are much better for the environment (and your wallet).

Wood Composite Decks

Use a medium plastic bristle brush to clean any debris from the decking. For those harder to remove marks left by pots or leaf mould use a dilution of mild liquid soap and water.

Summer

As the weather starts to warm up, this is the best time to give your decking and the supporting subframes an annual inspection. For both traditional wood decks and those made of composite decking if you find any areas that need to be repaired, now is the time to do it before the cold and seasonal weather hits.

Products to Use and Best Practices

Traditional Wood Decks

The first thing to look out for is signs of rot, mould and mildew not forgetting to check any steps or stairs. Check for signs of rot or rust on any joist hangers.

If your deck has a wood substructure whether it is a traditional wooden deck or composite deck you can extend the life of the substructure by preventing moisture penetration by using a joist tape. Peel and stick joist tape allows the wood to breathe because it is applied as a cap directly on top of joists and beams.

Wood and Composite Decks

Sweep any leaves or debris to keep your decking clean, rinse dirt, mud, or spills from the surface. Ensure that your deck has at least 150mm of unobstructed airflow below so moisture cannot as readily collect. If you have any mats or rugs on the decking use woven rugs and mats free of rubber backing so they do not trap moisture. Clean any build up of debris from between boards.

Composite Decks

Use a medium plastic bristle brush to clean any debris from the decking. For those harder to remove marks left by pots or leaf mould use a dilution of mild liquid soap and water.

Autumn

The cooler temperatures of autumn are an ideal time to perform preventative maintenance on your decking so that come next spring, you will have as minimal work as possible to get your deck ready to go.

Products to Use and Best Practices

Traditional Wood Decks

If you have not had a chance to do so in the spring, this is also the time to wash and seal your traditional wooden deck. You should look to trim any surrounding bushes or shrubs so that they are at least a foot away from the side of your deck. This will help reduce mould, moss, and rot from developing over the winter. Keep your decking clear of falling leaves so they do not discolour your deck. Keep your gutters clear so water does not gather and spill over onto your deck. Relocate any planters and clean away the dirt that has been left behind, not forgetting to do the same for your outdoor furniture, this will help prevent discolouration.

Composite Decks

Use a medium plastic bristle brush to clean any debris from the decking. For those harder to remove marks left by pots or leaf mould use a dilution of mild liquid soap and water.

Winter

The climate we live in means that winters do mean lots of rain, snow and ice. Winters are the nemesis of traditional wood decks as the accumulated moisture and freezing temperatures can contribute to warping, discoloration, and other weathering effects for traditional wood decks.

Composite decks made from Teckwood’s range are made to outlast regular wooden decking thanks to the performance of the composite core made with up to 80% recycled materials.

Products to Use and Best Practices

Traditional Wood and Composite Decks

Move outdoor furniture inside to a secure covered place such as the garage or within an outdoor shed. If you have soft accessories like pillows or rugs store those inside so pests and rodents don’t make their homes there in the colder months. This allows for ready-to-use outdoor furniture once warmer weather returns.

For more information on the seasonal maintenance of decking and Teckwood’s range, see the composite decking types page or phone our helpful sales staff on 0800 799 9082.