When it comes to caring for your deck, there are various options available and the best choice will depend upon the climatic conditions your deck has to face and the look and finish you’re hoping for. In order to demystify the decking care product options, we’ve put together this guide to help you decide which option might work best for you.
Essentially there are four key options to choose from: decking oil, decking preservative, decking paint and decking stain. Here’s a guide of the features of each:
Decking oil is an ideal decking care product if you really want to retain the natural, untreated look of your wood. Available in clear, as well as a whole range of natural wood colours, decking oils can retain or dramatically change the natural hues of your decking. That said, if you’re planning any significant change, it’s well worth testing a small patch of colour in an unobtrusive part of your deck before tackling the whole thing and regretting it! Decking oil, which also comes with the optional addition of UV filters is the ideal way to give your deck a great look whilst protecting it from the sun too. Easy to apply, decking oil also comes in an anti-slip, top coat option for already oiled decking, which will provide an anti-slip surface and is a great idea if your deck experiences high traffic in all seasons.
Decking preservative is the common, umbrella term used for any dedicated decking product that is intended to preserve the wood of your deck. Decking preservatives include the whole range of oils, stains, paints and seals. Offered by a host of different manufacturers, as with all things in life, some are better than others. Whilst spending a fortune on decking preservative isn’t normally necessary, it’s best not to opt for the cheapest option purely based on price. A good place to start in your search for the best and most appropriate decking preservative for your deck is by speaking to your decking supplier if your deck is new, or by speaking to any reputed decking supplier if your deck is inherited. These professionals are perfectly positioned to appreciate and understand the nuances of the different products on offer and will be able to help you achieve the results you’re hoping for at the best price.
Quite a contentious decking product in most of Europe, decking paint is widely used in the United States. A great idea if you want to introduce some colour and some drama to your deck, you can use decking paint as conservatively or as wildly as you choose. The major issue with decking paint is keeping it looking good as time marches on. There is no getting away from the fact that decking paint can mean that your deck starts to look worn and tired before it might if it was say, oiled or stained. One way to resolve this deterioration is to apply a high quality seal after painting your deck to help lengthen the life of the paint.
Decking stain is a decking care product that is essentially used with the intention of changing the colour of your deck. The great thing about decking stain is that you can change the colour of your deck and seal it at the same time. Available in a whole range of colours and brands, decking stain comes as a straight stain option or as a stain and seal solution, allowing you to kill two birds with one stone. What’s more, most stains come in either the choice of matt or satin finish, allowing you to opt for the look that best suits your desires.
| Decking Care Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Decking Oil | Decking oil is ideal if you want to retain the natural, untreated look of your wood. It’s available in clear and a range of natural wood colours, and can be used to retain or change the natural hues of your decking. Decking oil also comes with optional UV filters for protection from the sun and in an anti-slip top coat option for high traffic decks. |
| Decking Preservative | Decking preservative is a general term used for any product designed to preserve the wood of your deck. It includes a range of oils, stains, paints and seals from various manufacturers. The quality of these products can vary, so it’s worth consulting with a decking supplier for the best option for your deck. |
| Decking Paint | Decking paint is an ideal option if you want to introduce colour to your deck. However, the main issue with decking paint is maintaining its look over time. To prolong the life of the paint, you can apply a high-quality seal after painting your deck. |
| Decking Stain | Decking stain is used primarily to change the colour of your deck and can also be used to seal it at the same time. It comes in a wide range of colours and brands, either as a straight stain option or as a stain and seal solution. Most stains are available in either matt or satin finish. |