1. Soft Wood or Hard Wood?
By choosing the right timber you can save yourself alot of trouble and time on maintenance. Softer timbers wear and tear much quicker due to the exposed elements of nature, such as rain and sun. Hardwoods are more durable and suited and have a much longer life span. Most hardwoods are not treated and dont need to be treated. They have natural toxins that aid against wood rot, thats the beauty of a hardwood. Before any timber arrives in the country it has been through a vigorous fumigation process ensuring against insects, wood worms and anything else living in the timber.
By choosing the right timber you can save yourself alot of trouble and time on maintenance. Softer timbers wear and tear much quicker due to the exposed elements of nature, such as rain and sun. Hardwoods are more durable and suited and have a much longer life span. Most hardwoods are not treated and dont need to be treated. They have natural toxins that aid against wood rot, thats the beauty of a hardwood. Before any timber arrives in the country it has been through a vigorous fumigation process ensuring against insects, wood worms and anything else living in the timber.
2. To Maintain the natural colour of your timber.
Some people love the colour of natural timber and prefer to keep it that way. This is when the maintenance begins. The UV rays from the sun will oxidise any timber to a silver grey colour. To prevent the timber from oxidising one needs to protect it with a product with a UV protector such as a sealer or an oil. Dependant on the product one would have to apply it as per the instructions, which could be as frequent as twice a year, or as little as once every two years. This also depends on amount of sunlight and foot traffic over the timber.
Some people love the colour of natural timber and prefer to keep it that way. This is when the maintenance begins. The UV rays from the sun will oxidise any timber to a silver grey colour. To prevent the timber from oxidising one needs to protect it with a product with a UV protector such as a sealer or an oil. Dependant on the product one would have to apply it as per the instructions, which could be as frequent as twice a year, or as little as once every two years. This also depends on amount of sunlight and foot traffic over the timber.
3. Whether to go for a Painted, Varnished or Oiled finish.
The finish you choose has a major role to play in the maintaining of your deck. Our experience is that you get a much longer life span from using a Sealer rather than an oil, again depending on the product. The reason for this is that the UV protection is much stronger in a Sealer than an oil and also seals the timber much better. A colour tint in the sealer will also give a higher UV resistance to the sealer ie a Mahogany will stand the test of time better than a clear. Big Decks chooses to use Rystix Timbercare - Armadeck Exterior Sealer.
The finish you choose has a major role to play in the maintaining of your deck. Our experience is that you get a much longer life span from using a Sealer rather than an oil, again depending on the product. The reason for this is that the UV protection is much stronger in a Sealer than an oil and also seals the timber much better. A colour tint in the sealer will also give a higher UV resistance to the sealer ie a Mahogany will stand the test of time better than a clear. Big Decks chooses to use Rystix Timbercare - Armadeck Exterior Sealer.
