It’s all well and good installing a garden deck and then enjoying it as much as possible in the years to come, but if you don’t look after it right, you might be in for a shock. Without the appropriate maintenance, our beloved sun traps can become warped, weathered or otherwise wrecked. Which is why it’s all the more important to invest in the best treatment for the decking you own.
In this helpful guide, we lay out your options, things to consider and how to go about applying it. We’ll also answer some common questions we receive along the way, so you can pinpoint the ideal solution for your specific scenario. Let’s get on with it.
The low-down on decking treatment
Before we get too deep into the world of decking treatments, there’s a few preliminary bits and bobs we need to cover first.
To begin with, it’s important to note that decking treatments in the traditional sense are designed for timber decks in particular, working into the wood fibres to enhance visual appeal and performance.
This means that composite deck owners won’t have the same responsibilities when it comes to restoring the boards of the deck structure. Due to the inherent durability of the material, it requires minimal protection, usually comprising regular cleaning and a sealant if required.
What is decking treatment?
Decking treatment is simply a solution used to reinforce the strength and bolster the structural integrity of the timber boards. They will often be labelled as “decking protector”, “decking stain” or “decking oil”.
The reason they’re so effective is thanks to their ability to penetrate deep into the wood once the surface has been coated, sinking into the fibres and protecting the material from the inside out.
Is it necessary?
Even if the timber boards have undergone the tanalising process prior to being installed in the garden they’ll benefit from semi-regular maintenance as, like any other material left to the whims of the changeful British weather, it deteriorates over time.
To avoid the chances of your decking accumulating mould, rot and cracks, which stack up with changing temperatures, rain, sunlight, ice and snow, it’s a good idea to conduct some thorough maintenance once a year. And this demands the best decking treatment for the type in question.
Other upsides include…
- A reduction in the amount of grime embedded in the grain of the deck
- Protection against UV bleaching
- A smart, clean and/or pigmented finish
- Increased slip-resistance (with anti-slip formulas)
The best treatment for garden decking: 5 popular choices
In total, there are 5 general types of decking treatment that work to either deep cleanse, preserve, rejuvenate or maintain the material. Here’s a breakdown of each type.
1. Decking cleaner
From the name it’s fairly self-explanatory: decking cleaners are products formulated specifically to remove the dirt and grime that gets caked onto and into the timber. Typically used as both a preparation and maintenance tool, these formulas are usually fast-acting and help your top coating last longer.
It can be used over stains and oils, but it’s particularly helpful when you’re giving them a top-up as it supports their adherence to the deck. Along with all of this, thanks to their ingredients, they can ward off algae and mould growth.
Ideal for: Decks you intend to restore or those you’re cleaning up.
2. Decking preservers
Decking preservers are external wood preservatives designed to protect decking against all of your regular hazards such as pests, rot and mould. If swelling, greying and biological damage are worries, then a decking preserver is your friend. With deep penetrating properties, it will add years to new or restored decking’s lifespan.
Ideal for: Vulnerable, untreated decking.
3. Decking oil
Decking oil is typically used to enhance the longevity of decking along with its looks. Sinking into the timber fibres, it dries out, oxidises and hardens the graining. This means that the wood is kept nourished and healthy, ideal if your deck is a long-term investment you want to stay beautiful as your kids grow up around it.
You can purchase them in clear or pigmented varieties, meaning that you can either let the natural graining of the timber shine or give it a new lease of life in a new shade. This latter option is ideal if you want a cohesive garden scheme.
Note that with decking oil, once it’s on, you can’t over-coat it with stain or decking paint unless the boards have been thoroughly stripped or left alone to weather over a number of years.
Ideal for: Hardwood decks that can really benefit from the oil’s absorption.
4. Decking stain
Unlike decking oil, stain doesn’t infiltrate the grain, rather it covers the surface. They’re more similar to traditional varnishes in that they provide a coating in a variety of appealing wood shades that seals off the material from the elements. This works to protect the deck from UV damage and mould growth; however, it’s difficult to recoat if you change your mind about the colour, requiring a thorough stripping.
Ideal for: Reinforcing the decking’s water and UV resistance.
5. Paint
Paint is the best treatment for decking if a solid, opaque finish is the aesthetic you’re after. With protective qualities, decking paint is formulated to slip into small cracks, grooves and gaps whilst smoothing out rough surfaces. Like many of the other treatment options, paint is a great way to water and UV-proof your timber boards without compromising on their appearance. And the best part? You can pick practically any colour!
Ideal for: Concealing worse-for-wear decking and colour coordination with other garden elements.
Trusted brands
There are hundreds of products out there for you to try, but here are a handful of industry leaders with positive reviews:
Pre-purchase considerations
We’ve revealed the best treatments for decking that pervade the market, but what things should you consider before buying one of them? Here are just a few things that the mindful consumer might want to look out for.
Material compatibility
Some types of decking aren’t suitable for certain treatments. For example, exotic hardwood decking like teak don’t match well with decking oils are they’re oily woods by nature and possess dense grains. Similarly, it’s not recommended that you paint over anti-slip decking as the new film from the paint will remove some of its friction, and therefore, slip resistance.
Traction
If you’re prone to tumbles or your decking is to be installed for business use such as a seating area in a hospitality setting, the grippiness of your decking ought to be a priority. This will help reduce any risk to the public or anyone physically vulnerable. As such, you may want to steer clear from decking oils as they can sometimes result in the boards becoming slippery due to the fact they don’t leave a coating.
Aesthetic preference
This consideration might not be as important as compatibility and traction, but it’s crucial nonetheless. If you aim to achieve an opaque colour or finish, decking oils should be switched out for stains and paints as these will give you more of a block colour. For those who change their mind pretty often when it comes to style or get easily bored, stains are best avoided as removing them is a task and a half.
Existing coating
If your decking has already been coated with an oil, covering it with stain might not work out. This is because previously oiled decking can repel or prevent the right level of adhesion required for decking stain to stick to the wood. It’s always a good idea to do your research about which treatments will cover the others to avoid a sticky situation like this.
Age
With especially fresh decking – i.e., decking that has just been put down – it’s recommended that you give it 4-6 months to weather naturally before going ahead with any treatments. This is to allow the surface wood to open and let the natural oils disperse throughout the material. If this sounds familiar, you might want to postpone this particular DIY project.
Decking treatment FAQs
When should I apply decking treatment?
The best time to apply a decking treatment is on a mild, dry day with temperatures above 10 degrees C. This helps the treatment dry properly, allowing it to do its job of protecting the wood against moisture, foot traffic and other substances.
Many homeowners tend to opt for Autumn as their chosen month for decking maintenance as the weather is mild and you can pre-empt the cold, wet conditions of winter.
Should I opt for a clear or pigmented treatment?
This is entirely up to you and your personal style. Do you want a more natural, understated feel? Then, a clear treatment will allow the graining to shine. Want something a bit bolder? A pigmented product is just the way to inject some fun into your surroundings.
What if my deck is weathered or damaged?
Weathered or damaged decking is vulnerable to more problems – namely, splitting and warping. If moisture has wreaked havoc with the wood fibres, rot and instability aren’t far away. Here, you have a chance of fixing things. But if your boards are rotten through, there’s not much you can do except replace them.
Before you apply the treatment, ensure that you have filled any holes and cracks with a suitable filler, have sanded down the surface to get rid of splinters and have replaced any irreparably damaged boards. Then you can go about the process as normal.
What about previously treated decking?
This might sound obvious but if a deck has been sealed off by a coating with a strong and impenetrable film. Thus, if your decking has been previously painted, oiled or stained you will have to put in a lot of graft to treat it with certain products.
A cleaner or preserver will usually be compatible with other products, but if you want to recolour it, the job will be tricky to strip off all of the previous treatment, particularly from grooved boards.
Learn more from Fall Timber
Now you know more about the best decking treatments available, we hope your next steps are a doddle. Feeling inspired? Then you’ll find more decking and garden DIY topics over on the rest of our blog.
