Decking Renovation – How To Restore A Wooden Deck

What is the best treatment to restore and revive a grey, weathered garden deck? Decking oil, stain or paint? Decking renovation and restoration services in Kent

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Freshly restored and stained deck

Maidstone Gleam Team are exterior cleaning specialists and we are able to provide professional deckng renovation in Kent. Our deck renovation and restoration service includes:

  • decking cleaning
  • use of a decking cleaner to remove algae and moss
  • stripping of old deck stain, paint or oil
  • wood preserver treatment that soaks into the deck to nourish and protect, and add new stain on top for a fresh new colour
  • sanding if necessary of any splinters or to assist removal of old paint / stain
  • apply new coats of oil, stain or paint in the colour of your choice
  • advise on the best treatment for your deck to give you the final finish and appearance you would like
  • how to keep your garden deck looking good and lasting longer

Over time untreated wooden decking suffers the effects of weathering and constant exposure to UV sunlight which is what causes it to turn grey and tired looking. It has to withstand heavy rainfall, snow, freezing conditions and constant exposure to the sun. It can also become colonised by green algae, mould and mildew which needs to be removed as part of any decking renovation and restoration project.

Use of a deck cleaner and reviver, also sometimes called restorer, can greatly improve the appearance of greying wood deck. It also removes mould and algae and has a brightening effect on wood and returning it to its natural appearance. It is also an ideal pre-treatment before applying oil or stain because it opens the pores of the wood meaning the deck can absorb more of the oil or stain.

Decking restorer can certainly breathe new life back into grey, weathered boards but results can be mixed and it comes with no guarantees about the outcome. This is because it depends how old and weathered the deck boards are so it’s impossible to predict how they will look. You may also not like their natural appearance. For this reason it makes sense to follow a deck restorer product with a coloured oil or stain. Once a deck has been renovated and restored and looks how you want it to look, an annual application of a good quality decking restorer can help maintain its appearance.

Does old deck stain or paint need stripping first?

If you want to add new layers of stain to an already stained deck then YES, the old coats do need to be stripped first to ensure the new stain is fully absorbed. Contrary to some of the marketing claims made by decking stripper manufacturers, old coats of stain don’t always come away as easily as they say. Multiple coats of paint or stain may need more than 1 treatment with decking stripper before fully removing it all. But it certainly can be done if you know what you’re doing with decking renoavtion, as we do at Gleam Team Cleaning Services.

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Deck in the process of being stripped of old stain

Once the old coats of stain have been removed the deck should now be treated with a decking preserver to help protect the wood against algae, mould, moss and wood rot. Some preservers are a clear finish while others also add colour. It should be noted that if you intend to add a coat of oil or stain you should use wax-free preservers. This is because wax can act as a sealer and prevent oil or stain being absorbed.

Should your deck be treated with oil, stain or paint – what are the differences between them?

Decking Oil :

Oil helps replensh natural oils in the wood and keep it supple and well nourished. They help prevent the wooden deck from splitting, waterproof it by stopping water penetrating the wood and provide protection against UV fading.

They are available in a clear finish or coloured varieties that are usually in natural wood shades and their colouring effect on the decking is only subtle. A clear finish deck oil can help enhance the natural colour of the wood. It should be borne in mind that a coloured oil is affected by the natural colour of the wood and it may not look like it is on the tin once it is applied. If in doubt try on a discreet test area first.

Stain :

Decking stain also helps protect the wood and waterproofs it and offer a more dramatic change in the colour of a deck. They are usually semi-translucent and come in a wide range of colours from black, charcoal, dark wood shades through to a lighter colour wood such as pine and a selection of bright summery colours. They also come in anti slip varieties and act as a sealer protecting the wood against weathering and UV rays.

Paint :

Paints come in an even wider range of colours from dark to light, natural wood and bright blues and pink. Rescue paint can fill small cracks and holes and paint provides the same protection as stain to help prolong the life of your deck.

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some of Cuprinol’s deck paint colours available in UK

Decking renovation & restoration in Kent

Our decking renovation, cleaning and staining services are available throughout Kent including in Maidstone, Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Medway Towns, Sittingbourne, Ashford, Tonbridge and surrounding areas.

Exterior cleaning specialists in Kent & London

Our other outdoor cleaning services available in Kent and south London incude:

Please call 07581 681994 or email using Contact Us for a free no obligation quote or more information on any of our services.

Don’t just clean it, Gleam it !

Some of our other blog posts that may be of interest are:

exterior cleaning FAQs

cost of roof cleaning

dealing with efflorescence

REFERENCES: The following sources were used as references in the writing of this article :

Ronseal.com/how-to-guides/how-to-strip-your-decking

wood-finishes-direct.com/blog/decking-stain-or-decking-oil-best?

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Deck being stripped and prepared for new colour decking stain

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