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.
Image courtesy of The Whimsical Wife
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.
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