When building your decking in the Central Coast and Gosford areas, you are going to have a coastal environment to contend with. Harsh weather environments can affect any structure but there are a number of things you can do to prolong the life of your timber decking.
The harshness of the sun is something every Australian has to contend with and the same can be said for any timber or wooden structure. UV from the sun breaks down surface fibres and lignin, which causes greying and surface erosion.
Simply cleaning your decking on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do to prolong its life. Living on the Central Coast means the air carries with it salt and sand that can end up on your decking which may speed up the erosion of the timber. Cleaning the deck and coating it with a UV protection product will help keep this at bay.
Using a high-quality paint on the decking will also protect it and help keep out UV rays. There are also many good stains on the market that can be used to refresh, protect and revitalize the deck.
Because wood is an organic material, it can rot. Wood rot is something that occurs naturally when the wood is exposed to moisture for prolong periods however you can take measured to prevent this happening. Inspect your decking, particularly in those hard to see places and wash it with an acid wash if you see any signs of rotting.
Some people choose to invest in a ‘decking cover’ such as a roof or veranda. This is probably one of the most effective ways to protect your decking as any covering will protect it not only from the UV rays but also from the elements such as rain and wind.
