About Treating, Sealing And Building Wood Decks

We can help you learn more about wooden decks. We have information about building, treating and sealing wood decks. Take a look around discover more about your outdoor deck.

During the past few years, wood decks have become an essential component of residential construction. Wood decks add an all-around and multipurpose living space to any home and can provide decades of use with minimal care. However, wood decks are constantly exposed to severe weather conditions that can damage the wood, and can cause other problems like mildew, decay and insect attack if not properly maintained.

The Wood For Your Deck

It is important that the wood for the deck is strong to start with; use wood that has been pressure treated with a preservative, or a naturally durable wood like redwood or western red cedar. Wood cracking, raised grain and mildew growth problems can be reduced by applying a supplementary finish to the wood deck surface.

Improved overall performance can also be achieved by using a penetrating finish, which is also easier to reapply than film-forming finishes like paint and solid-color stains. Keep in mind that film-forming finishes are subjected to excessive wear, particularly in high-traffic areas, as well as the constant shrinking and swelling of the wood caused by changes in humidity. So if it is a choice between penetrating finishes and film-forming finishes, your best bet would be to use penetrating finishes.

Wood Deck Care

When the wood deck has been frequently exposed to harsh weather conditions and sufficiently aged, the wood will appear silver gray. The natural color of wood on weathered decks can be restored by using commercial products like deck cleaners, brighteners or restorers. While these products do not add any actual color to the deck, they do remove dirt and mildew, allowing the natural color of the wood to come out.

Care must also be taken to avoid damaging the wood surface; violent scrubbing with a caustic cleaner can erode the wood surface, particularly on soft woods like western red cedar. For mildew removal, liquid domestic bleach can be used by mixing three parts water to the bleach with some detergent.