DECKING CARE GUIDE

There are two kinds of deck owners; those who gladly let their boards weather naturally and those who like to keep the original look and color. The reason why you can choose either is because PLANK hardwood does not require constant stripping or sanding.  Having said this, it is highly recommended to apply a coat of Ipe Oil™ or similar UV protection finish specially formulated for hardwoods right after installation. This process will help seal all of the natural oils in the wood which helps maintain a lot of its physical properties. After this, it is up to you to let it weather or to maintain its color. Remember, each board may weather differently depending on the amount of sunlight, temperature, moisture and any other changes in climate.

If you chose to weather your deck to a beautiful silver patina but have changed your mind, you can revive the beautiful original beauty it had when it first arrived at your door.  Silvering of the wood is a result of the sun’s UV rays deteriorating the color until it turns silver. Unlike softer woods, the density of our PLANK hardwoods only allows the rays to remove the color from the top surface. Use a cleaner to remove any dirt and oil that may still be present and prepare your decking for the brightener. The brightener will brighten the shine of your wood back as well as restoring the pH balance that’s needed for wood to remain stable. Finally, applying a hardwood finish like Ipe Oil™ will seal and create a beautiful finish like the first day after you installed it.

Cleaning your PLANK hardwood deck isn’t magic, all it takes is some regular sweeping with the right supplies. You want to give a full proper cleaning to your deck twice a year while practicing regular cleaning during the rest of the year. Use a broom to remove all the loose leaves and dirt off your deck. If there is debris or old foliage in between the deck boards, make sure to remove it. Debris in these areas can cause problems on any surface.  Once the sweeping is done, and you still have noticeable areas where dirt has collected, use water, a brush and mild dish soap to clean the deck. For stubborn stains that can’t be removed with regular cleaning, you can always do a deep cleaning with a specially formulated cleaner for wood.

Pressure washing your deck takes time and care. Make sure to use a fan tip and the correct settings to not damage the wood. A setting of 1000 PSI can be used safely on our PLANK hardwood decking. Don’t forget to make sure distance is also important. So make sure to test the pressure in an inconspicuous area before beginning to pressure wash the entire deck.

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