Australians are famous for their love of summer and outdoor lifestyles. There are few things as quintessentially Australian as barbecuing on your deck with family and friends. It’s a pastime that borders on the extreme, but with that obsession comes a daunting range of options to choose from. Whether you are building a new deck or reconditioning an old one, here’s your complete guide to getting your deck ready for summer.
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There are many options to choose from when it comes to deck finishes and the right option for you will depend on your climate, whether your deck is covered and of course your personal preferences.
No. All wood left outdoors without protection will turn grey and begin to crack with the natural wet and dry cycles. Over time this leads to cracks forming (aka “checking”) and these will exacerbate and accelerate the issue as water soaks into the wood. Eventually, the wood will rot entirely and need to be replaced and this can happen very quickly.
However, if you do want a natural wood look there are clear and semi-clear deck oils available that will protect the wood while preserving the natural colour of your deck. These can be applied at various stages of the weathering process to create a permanent natural appearance of your choice.
Put simply there are two types of wood protection, coatings and treatments. Coatings are designed to form a protective layer over the top of the wood, these do not change the wood itself. Paint and varnish are coating-type protections. Treatment-type protections are different, they are designed to be absorbed by the wood and don’t hide the character or appearance of the wood. Oils and stains fall into this category.
As a rule, coating-type protections have several drawbacks. First, they conceal the natural appearance of the wood grain and structure which is a big part of the aesthetic appeal of decks. Second, they can be a safety hazard as they tend to cause water to pool on the surface and can become very slippery when wet, plus they are more likely to allow mould or fungus to grow on their surface creating slip hazards and damaging the protective coating. Third, because they are bonded to the surface of the wood when they come time for renewal they need to be scraped or sanded off the surface and this can be a very slow (and expensive) process. This also means that over time they are easily worn off by use and foot traffic, degrading the protective qualities of the coating.
Coatings can still be used, but they require a lot of additional prep work and they’re only suitable for well-covered or fully-enclosed decks. This ensures that they won’t get excessively wet and are less likely to become slippery. Preparation for each is also non-standard, may vary by product and they will still be prone to accelerated wear if you use your deck frequently.
By far, the best way to prepare your deck for summer and protect it for the years to come is with a quality stain or oil. It’s important to cover here that some stains are applied separately and then require an oil coat for protection while others are applied as an oil and stain combined. On the other hand, if you love the natural appearance of your deck then a clear or semi-clear oil is all that is required. The great thing about applying stains and oils is how fast and easy they are to both apply the first time and reapply in future, although most will last for 8 or more years.
Preparing your deck for a new treatment is quite straightforward and thankfully fairly easy, but it does depend on the condition your deck is in. Brand new decks are the easiest, while lightly weathered or previously stained and oiled are the next most simple, on the other hand badly weathered, or previously painted or varnished decks are the most involved.
Note: For mild damage such as small cracks, holes or knots you should apply the first coat of your chosen treatment, fill the hole with wood putty and then apply follow-up treatment.
Sanding may not be required and if it is it will be done after cleaning. Begin with cleaning just as for step 3 given for previously painted decks. Most brands of decking oil and stains will recommend the best deck cleaner for their product.
Follow the steps as given for painted or varnished decks, however rather than using a paint stripper you may use a timber stripper or simply use a belt sander until the surface is clean and fresh wood is visible.
Deck oils and stains come in two varieties, water-based and oil-based. Provided that you use a high-quality product both will provide a good level of weather protection and repel water from your deck. Each has its pros and cons as covered below.
Water-based products usually dry within 2-4 hours for quick and easy recoats and are also easier to apply in areas with unpredictable weather due to their fast drying times. In addition, being water based they are very easy to clean up afterwards.
Oil-based deck oils and stains can take a lot longer to dry, usually 12-16 hours before use and/or recoating. These products are also more temperature-dependent when drying so in poor weather they will need to be covered and sometimes even heated to cure correctly. In addition, they usually need turpentine or other petroleum-based cleaning agents for cleanup. On the plus side, they will penetrate wood deeper than their water-based counterparts and typically offer a few years of extra protection.
Regardless of whether you choose water-based or oil-based, you will also have to choose the colour you want for your deck. Semi-clear coats come from extremely clear to heavily tinted, depending on the brand and water or oil base. These are great options for only slightly changing the natural appearance of your deck while still providing excellent protection.
If you do want a different colour for your deck, consider using a quality stain to tint the colour. Jarrah and Red Wood are common options in Australia, though a range of colours from Baltic pine whites to mahogany browns are available. Some stains are applied separately to oil and require and require a semi-clear oil treatment to protect them. More recently stain and oil products that both stain and oil in one application are becoming popular, be careful to check with your supplier what is required from the brand and colour you choose.
A common alternative to wooden decks is using modern synthetic decking materials. If your deck is aged and in need of substantial repair or replacement, a synthetic deck replacement may be ideal. Brands such as Duratek provide a range of colours made from durable materials and UV-stabilized colours providing years of enjoyment without the hassle of having to recondition your deck in future. Usually, a pressure wash once a year is all that is required for maintenance.
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing what is right for you. Plantation-grown hardwood or pine decks offer an environmentally sustainable and naturally beautiful finish. They can be stained almost any colour you like or look equally nice coated in a quality semi-clear oil.
Is your deck fully enclosed or well protected?
If so, either a coating or treatment is suitable to consider.
Will your deck be used frequently or be the main accessway to your home with heavy foot traffic?
If so, then coatings such as paint or varnish will not have a long life and may create an unnecessary fall hazard.
Is your deck being built new or pre-existing?
If new, a synthetic product such as Duratek is worth considering. If it’s an existing wood deck then a protective treatment is required.
Which brand is right for you?
In Australia, there are several popular brands available that produce excellent results. The main brands are Cabots, Feast & Watson and Cutek. Cabots is the most popular brand at Bunnings for DIYers, Feast & Watson is a popular choice on new homes and decks and Cutek holds the crown as the top-shelf choice for the professional. However, all of these products, when applied according to the manufacturer’s directions will provide a stunning-looking and most importantly, high-quality finish that will protect your deck and impress your neighbours and friends.
What colour should you choose?
There is no single right answer to colour, however, it is important to look at the big picture. Are you planning to redesign your outside living area or repaint the house? If so, consider the colour scheme that you want for your private garden paradise, applying the wrong colour can make or break the aesthetic of your hideaway. Your décor is also an important consideration, are you planning to have a spa pool on your deck or other features?
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Whatever you choose, synthetic planking or natural wood, coating or treatment or clear oil or stain, the instructions provided here are a general guide only and it’s important that you follow the direction of the manufacturer for best results.
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