Wooden decks take a lot of abuse. They get a lot of foot abuse, and because their horizontal surfaces are constantly exposed to sunlight and rain, they’re more vulnerable to extreme conditions than any other wooden structure. That moisture, which attracts pollen and fungal spores, can discolor the wood.
The world’s oldest building material, i.e. the wood needs to be protected from exposure to moisture and high humidity, resulting in swelling, warping or even rotting. However, you can easily protect your deck by doing by a few tips. Check out the best decking treatment to enhance beauty whilst protecting the wood from external factors.
- Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish: Linseed oil, derived from the seeds of the flax plant, and Tung oil, extracted from the Chinese Tung Tree, are the basis for nearly all hand-rubbed (wiping oil) oil finishes. These oils beautify and protect such dark-grained woods as walnuts and mahogany- with a few improvements. Blending these oils with other ingredients hastens drying time and eliminates stickiness. If you’d like more working time before the finish dries, reduce the amount of polyurethane. Or, on the other side, add more poly for a glossier finish and quicker drying time. You can create a multitude of custom blends!
- Seal the wood with a coating of polyurethane, varnish or lacquer: Polyurethane, varnish and lacquer are very popular sealants with excellent waterproofing properties. They’re either brushed or sprayed onto clean, sanded wood and then allowed to dry completely, prior to the piece being lightly re-sanded and recoated. Though relatively quick drying (some in as little as 15 minutes), these sealants often contain chemical solvents, so ventilation is necessary during application. Despite being the best sealants, these liquids have their share of pros and cons. So, think twice before selecting the final product.
- Finish and waterproof wood simultaneously with a stain-sealant combo: Stain-sealant products contain color pigments with the addition of binders, which can be oil-, water- or alkyd-based. Based on the concentration of pigment in the product, the final result can be transparent, opaque, or in-between. If you’re applying a stain-sealer to the exterior wood, you’ll want to reapply every year or two to keep the wood protected from sunlight and rain. The alkyd-based stain-sealants leave a light-weight surface coating on the wood, making them better suited for interior woods, such as indoor exposed beams or rustic furniture. These interior woods don’t require future applications. Outdoors, alkyd-based stain-sealers have a tendency to peel if the wood isn’t perfectly clean and dry when applied.
Additionally, sealing and waterproofing solutions can be used. This decking treatment is a very easy and best method. Firstly, clean the surface to remove any dirt, mold, mildew or other contaminants from the surface of the deck; or use a pressure washer to remove sealer from previously treated wood. The next step is to apply a wood protector using a pump-up sprayer and a paintbrush, roller, or deck pad to assure a thin, even coat. We, at FencePro, recommend using a deck pad for quick, easy, complete coverage.