How to: Rejuvenate your timber deck for summer

As the sun comes out and the temperature rises, it’s time to refresh timber decking. While regular sweeping and cleaning is valuable, a deck re-coat is recommended every 12-to-18 months to maintain the quality, durability and appearance of the timber.

BEFORE deck Image courtesy of The Whimsical Wife — BEFORE deck
Image courtesy of The Whimsical Wife

AFTER deck Image courtesy of The Whimsical Wife — AFTER deck
Image courtesy of The Whimsical Wife

Timber coating specialist Sikkens offer the following tips to achieve professional looking results:

Oil vs. water-based coatings
Quality coatings save time and money in the long run, whether it’s oil or water-based, each finish has its own benefits. Oil-based coatings penetrate the wood better and are more durable however take longer to dry. An advantage of using an oil-based coating is its transparency, allowing for the natural characteristics of the timber to show through.

A water-based coating is environmentally friendly and doesn’t produce as much odour during application or drying. Advantages to using water -based coatings are faster drying time and easy clean up. With re-coating possible within two hours, the Sikkens Cetol BLX-Pro is perfect for a weekend project. Available in five ready mixed colours, its high quality, transparent finish accentuates the natural character and colour of the timber.

Oiling the deck Image courtesy of The Whimsical Wife — Oiling the deck
Image courtesy of The Whimsical Wife

Do not mix water-based and oil-based coatings

It is recommended to stick with the most recently used coating type – whether oil or water-based. Those looking to change between coating systems will need to completely strip the existing coating back to bare timber prior to re-coating which will ensure optimum adhesion

Importance of cleaning the deck

Ensure the timber is clean and free from dirt and grime to allow the new coating to properly penetrate and adhere to the timber for long lasting protection. For hardwood decks that are weathered or grey, a cleaning product such as Sikkens Cetol BL Deck & Wood Cleaner needs to be applied before re-coating. This fast acting gel formula will brighten and revitalise grey and weathered timber, in preparation for application of the re-coat.

Sikkens products are available at all major hardware and independent paint stores.