All decked out

With the onset of summer – homeowners around the country will be spending more and more time outdoors, and what better place to lounge around and relax in the hot summer sun, than your own private wooden deck?

Wooden decks are open and have plenty of space – offering a peaceful and tranquil feel that is very appealing to most people. A very popular option, wooden decks provide a feeling of being down to earth and being one with nature – they are the perfect locale from which to enjoy the outdoors, especially if they are located near the garden or pool. People today prefer wooden decks for all purposes – they are great places to spend time with family and friends, or to host an outdoor party, or on which you can enjoy a bit of me-time" and while away the warm summer days. To enjoy the pleasant summer days and the breeze with a sweet smell of the wild flowers or the garden soil, there is no better place than a wooden deck.

There is no question that decks add beauty and function to your home, however, over time they lose their splendor due to harsh weather and sunlight. The true beauty of a wooden deck is experienced through proper maintenance. Here are a few tips from the experts at Prominent Paints on how to give it a new lease on life:

Step 1: Choosing the correct product

For a natural, matt finish use Sherwood Sealer: Clear sealant lets the natural beauty of the wood show through but you can buy the tinted version to add some colour. Sherwood Sealer penetrates the surface of wood to form a durable coating that nourishes interior and exterior woodwork. It protects against UV, water, and fungal damage. The advanced hydro-technology formulation contains no harmful solvents, ensuring that the wood sealer is quick drying, low in odour and easy to apply.

For a gloss finish use a Sherwood Varnish: Sherwood Deck Varnish is a hardwearing coating that provides protection against fungal growth along with excellent UV-, water-, scratch- and stain-resistance. It also uses a hydro-technology formulation.

Both products are great alternatives to oil based varnishes and are environmentally friendly. These products can be tinted to your desired colour so you don't need to worry about applying a stain first.

Step 2: Preparation

While you may be tempted to skip some of these initial tasks – don't, because proper preparation will save you from having to start over again in the near future.

For previously varnished or painted surfaces: Replace old, rotten or cracked boards. Don't try and hammer fasteners back into place, they'll just come loose again. Refasten the boards using long weatherproof screws or nails. Sand down the painted wood to raw timber with 150- to 180- grit sandpaper until smooth. Sanding removes rough surfaces, grayed wood fiber from weathering and increases the adhesion of your coating. Give the deck a sweep or use tack cloth to remove sawdust

For new wood: Sand the raw timber with 150- to 180-grit sandpaper until smooth. Clean with a broom or tack cloth to remove sawdust.

Step 3: Application

Apply 2 coats with a brush. Progold brushes are recommended and are available at your closest Prominent Paints Decorating Centre. Allow to dry for four hours between coats and sand with 360-grit sandpaper or a fine abrasive pad to remove raised grains. It should be dry to the touch after 30 minutes, but remain off your deck for 48 hours to ensure proper drying.


Tip: Dirt grinds down paint and increases wear so, sweep your deck regularly with a soft broom and wash it with a sponge or mop.

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Pictures

Images courtesy of Cane Time.

For more information click here to visit the Prominent Paints website.

For more information click here to visit the Cane Time website.

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