Posted by Saima Bilal
on June 21, 2023
Your outdoor deck is always exposed to a lot of wear and tear. The weather doesn’t hold back, be it sun, rain or snow and we don’t either. This calls for a little extra care to ensure your decking is still in top notch condition for years to come.
Although they’re made to be outside and are good at handling wear and tear, some of these measures can help you keep their appearance, fresh and their structure, solid.
Understanding The Three Threats: Sun, Rain & Daily Use.
Before we discuss what those steps look like, let’s discuss what your deck is up against.
- Sun Exposure: A constant barrage of UV rays results in color fading, drying out decking material, and cracking of the decking.
- Rain & Moisture: Additional rain and excess moisture equals mold and mildew, and in the case of natural wood decks, rot.
- Everyday Use: Furniture, foot traffic, and grilling can lead to indentations, scratching, and staining.
- Temperature Change: Hot and cold cycles can lead to movement and expansion and contraction of decking materials. Cracking and instability results from this movement.
- Dirt and Debris: Dirt, leaves and pollen that builds up overtime creates slick surfaces and discoloration.
Taking care of your deck involves dealing with each of these factors with the correct materials, maintenance and preventative measures.
- Selecting the Right Decking Material
The first step in making sure your deck lasts a long time, is to ensure what its made from can do too. Traditional wooden decks, although look very premium, require a lot of maintenance just to keep them looking presentable.
Composite decking has come up as an exciting alternative to traditional materials as it needs less attention and time. They’re overall more resilient against fading, moisture damage and everyday wear & tear than natural wood.
- Protecting Your Deck Against Damage from the Sun
Sun exposure is possibly the most damaging factor in the fading and brittleness of the deck surface. Below are ways to combat this type of damage:
- Use UV-Protective Sealants
For wood decks, using a high quality UV-blocking sealer will slow the fading and cracking process of the wood.
- Use Outdoor Rugs or Furniture Covers
As with other floors, placing rugs in high traffic areas aids in mitigating the deck from direct sun exposure.
- Use Shade
Creating shade from sun or UV indoors has a significant impact on the deck surface and UV exposure.
- Avoiding Damage caused by moisture and water
Water is every deck’s enemy and can cause rotten wood, mold, and structural damage. Below are measures you can take to keep your deck dry and safe:
- Create a proper drainage: Your deck should be slightly sloped so water does not pool. Consider using a water-resistant sealant to seal your deck once a year (for wood) and prevent water from getting in.
- Get rid of landscape debris: Moisture trapped under the leaves or dirt can create an ultimate mold breeding ground.
- Use an under-deck drainage system: In the case of a raised deck, an under-deck drainage system channels moisture and shields the structure.
- Protection from scratches and wear
Even the most durable deck will eventually scratch. Use the below tips to keep your deck looking like new.
- Use protective pads on furniture
Whenever you are moving furniture, particularly chairs or tables, do so carefully while using protective pads.
- Go with composite decking
Composite decking materials like those available at NEOWALL are made to resist scratches and everyday use.
- Clean up spills
Oil or grease spills, or food spills, can stain and penetrate into decking.
- Move furniture around
Changing a chair or table around occasionally lessens the wear in specific areas on the flooring.
- Tips for Seasonal Care of your Deck for Longevity
Your deck requires different forms of care due to seasonal changes. Here are some seasonal care tip:
- Spring
Power wash and/or scrub the deck to remove all of the winter grime.
- Summer
Apply the UV protective sealant and make sure there is adequate shading.
- Fall
Remove fallen leaves to prevent moisture.
- Winter
If you are experiencing snow, use a plastic shovel to avoid the chance of scratching and avoid rock salt that may damage the surface.
How NEOWALL Decking Makes Protection Easy
If you are looking for a deck that can stand the elements without constant care, then NEOWALL composite decking is a smart choice. NEOWALL composite decking made of high quality, sustainable materials, is built to take care of the sun, rain, and daily use without the usual issues.
What Makes NEOWALL Unique?
- UV & Fade Resistant
Designed to stay the color and integrity when directly exposed to sunlight.
- Water-resistant & Mold Resistant
Rest assured there will be no moisture damage or rot.
- Scratch & Stain Resistant
Will stand up to foot traffic, furniture, and spills.
- Low Maintenance
Comes with no sanding, sealing or staining required, simply install and enjoy.
- Temperature Resistant
Will hold up to extreme weather fluctuations without warping or cracking.
Maintain Your Deck and Keep it Beautiful for Years to Come
Your deck is an extension of your living space, and with a little care, it will remain beautiful and usable for years to come. Whether you select an option to treat and protect an existing wood deck, or you opt for an alternative like NEOWALL composite decking, it will involve a little bit of time up front to protect your space for years of enjoyment.
What is most important is establishing a consistent pattern of care. If you invest your attention along with some durable weather resistant materials along the way, you can enjoy your deck seating for many years without worrying constantly about fading, rotting, or daily use.
So bring on the sunny days, rainy nights, and weekend hangouts; your deck is ready for whatever comes next.
