How to Restore and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Deck?
The addition of an outdoor wood deck can add value to your home and increase its appeal. Not only does it provide extra living space for activities like parties and other social gatherings, but it can be a great place for children to play and for pets to safely enjoy the outdoors.
To ensure your outdoor wood deck always remains in good condition, you need to invest in its maintenance. Regularly and properly maintaining a deck helps to extend its lifespan by preventing it from deteriorating prematurely.
To help you have a more durable and appealing outdoor space for years to come, this article covers five useful tips to keep your wood deck looking its best.
1. Inspect Deck for Rot
One of the important steps you can take to maintain your outdoor deck is to keep an eye on signs of rot. This is especially important in Singapore due to the hot, humid, and rainy climate. To inspect your deck for rot, manually check all of its parts, including posts, beams, stairs, and railings and keep an eye out for any soft, spongy, discoloured or cracked wood. Also remember to move planters, furniture and other objects on your deck and check for rot underneath them.
Furthermore, make sure to check for water damage around the edges of your deck, where water can seep in and cause rotting. If you suspect your deck has severe rot and may need a complete replacement, you can consider our composite timber decking as an alternative to enhance the outdoors of your house. As it is made from moisture and insect-resistant materials, you will not have to worry about issues related to rotting.
2. Wash the Deck
Washing a deck can help to maintain its appearance and prolong its lifespan. Dirt, dust, and other debris can accumulate on the surface of a deck over time, and if left unchecked, these substances can cause the wood to become discoloured and faded. They can also shelter mould and mildew, which can weaken the wood and lead to rot. By washing your outdoor deck regularly, you can remove these contaminants and help to protect the wood from damage.
3. Fix Stains and Discolouration
Over time, the colour of the wood deck will fade due to exposure to weather elements. To restore the original look of your outdoor deck, you will need to apply a fresh coat of stain. Before applying the stain, make sure the deck is properly cleaned. Begin by applying an even coat with a paintbrush or roller. Allow the stain to fully dry before moving on to the next section. If needed, you can add additional coats of stain in thinner layers for better coverage and long-lasting protection.
4. Restore the Wood
If you want to improve the structural integrity, aesthetic appeal, and overall longevity of your outdoor deck, you should restore the wood whenever required. In addition to increasing the life of your deck, restoring the wood also helps keep it looking attractive and inviting.
You should also always keep looking for common problems with a wooden deck such as gaps in boards, splintered wood, or worn-out paint. Tackling these issues on time can help keep the wood from experiencing more serious deterioration down the line, thus ensuring that it will look good for years to come. Alternatively, you can replace your deck with Tulous’s composite timber decking, which is the ultimate decking material as it is made up of high-density polyethylene plastic that comes with a number of other benefits.
5. Refinishing the Wood Deck
Left untreated, the effects of weathering can cause extensive damage to wooden decks, making it risky for those who use them. By refinishing your outdoor deck, you can reduce the risk of splinters and warping, as well as ensure that the wood is properly sealed and protected against water damage. Additionally, refinishing will give your deck a new, attractive look while maintaining its structural integrity.
Replace your Wood Deck with Tulou’s Composite Timber Decking
Investing in regular maintenance of an outdoor wood deck can help to avoid bigger problems. However, if you want to enjoy your deck more and spend less time on its maintenance, composite timber decking is a great option for homeowners in Singapore.
Composite timber decking is an eco-friendly option as it is made from recycled wood fibres and plastic components. At Tulou, our composite timber decking requires minimal maintenance. Unlike traditional timber decks, our composite timber decks will not crack, warp or fade over time due to environmental conditions. This is because the material used in our composite decking is designed to be highly resistant to all types of weathering.
Moreover, the use of high-quality raw materials blended with UV-inhibiting pigments ensures minimum heat build-up on the deck. To add to their strength, our composite decking boards are four-sided capped, unlike three-sided capped products usually found in the market. This protective cap layer provides superior slip resistance and better stain and scratch resistance.
To ensure its durability and longevity, our outdoor decks are built upon an aluminium substructure, as opposed to a wood substructure, which eliminates any form of rotting.
Whether you are planning to install balcony decking, or want to replace your outdoor wood deck, contact us today for a free consultation.