Types of decking treatment
- Decking Cleaners and Restorers
- Decking Preservers
- Coloured & Clear Decking Oils
- Decking Stains
- Decking Paints
What is the best treatment for a deck?
- BEST OVERALL: Cabot Australian Timber Oil
- BEST FOR OLD DECKS: SaverSystems #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain
- BEST FOR NEW DECKS: Ready Seal Redwood Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer
- HONORABLE MENTION: CABOT Semi-Solid Deck Stain
What is the best treatment for a wood deck?
- Toner: This stain is closest to a clear sealer. ...
- Semi-transparent: As the most popular opacity level, semi-transparent stains adds noticeable color to the deck, but the wood grain will still show. ...
- Semi-opaque: Also called “semi-solid,” this deck stain contains enough pigment to obscure most of the wood grain while imparting rich color. ...
How to treat decking?
Treating your decking with a roller or paint pad
- Rollers are more prone to splashing than brushes, so cover any nearby surfaces with dust sheets in case of overspray or drips.
- Give your chosen deck paint, oil, or stain a really good stir before applying to make sure you get a consistent colour.
- Careful not to overload the roller or pad with treatment, apply your treatment. ...
How to protect your deck?
How to Protect Your Deck in Winter
- Store Plants and Patio Furniture for the Winter Months. ...
- Stain and Seal Your Deck before Winter Hits. ...
- Complete Deck Repairs ASAP. ...
- Consider Adding a Cover over the Deck. ...
- Remove Snow on the Deck, Even If You’re Not Using It. ...
- Use These Tricks to Protect Your Fence as Well! ...
Do decking boards need to be treated?
Ideally all decking should have some form of treatment. The majority of softwood decking planks will have been pressure treated at the outset but in order to ensure a longer lifespan we recommend some form of treatment for the wood.
What are treated boards treated with?
The active ingredients commonly used in treated wood are alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ), copper azole (CA) or micronized copper azole (MCA).
What is pressure treated wood treated with now?
Since the 1940s, wood has been pressure treated with chromated arsenicals to protect wood from rotting due to insect and microbial agent attack and wood-boring marine invertebrates.
How toxic is pressure treated wood?
According to the National Academy of Sciences, long-term exposure to the arsenic that is found in some types of CCA-pressure-treated lumber can increase the risk of lung, bladder, and skin cancer over a person's lifetime.
How do you tell if wood has been treated?
To tell if the wood is treated, check tags, stamps, and markings of chemicals used. Smelling can also help you know if wood is treated. Treated lumber can smell oily, while untreated wood doesn't. Treated wood also has a green or brown hue from the treatment process.
Do you need to use pressure treated wood for a deck?
Yes, you can use untreated wood to build a deck, but not without preparing it first. You can't, of course, pressure treat it yourself, but you will need to seal; the wood and stain/paint it to ensure the wood is ready to take on the harsh external weather.
Is there a difference between treated and pressure treated wood?
The difference between the two is that pressure treated lumber will resist the elements better than untreated due to chemical preservatives added, and so will maintain its integrity in conditions that would cause normal wood to rot.
How can you tell if wood is treated or untreated?
Smell it! The chemicals used to treat lumber are ridiculously effective at preserving the wood. However, these same chemicals give off an extremely strong scent that can be detected very easily. If your lumber smells oily or like gasoline, it's treated.
How long does a pressure treated deck last?
Wooden Decks Made from Pressure-Treated Lumber So while it will resist a lot of the environmental changes that the weather brings, it might not be the ideal material for everyone. If you maintain and seal your pressure-treated deck, it can last you around 50 years.
Can working with treated wood make you sick?
The major health concern is that daily, long-term contact with arsenic leached from CCA-treated wood might lead to an increased risk of lung, bladder, skin, and other cancers or other health effects.
Can treated lumber make you sick?
Chromated Copper Arsenate and Arsenic Poisoning In addition, people who work with treated wood, such as construction workers and carpenters, can be exposed to high levels of CCA. Exposure to chromated copper arsenate can lead to arsenic poisoning and, in cases of extremely high exposure, death.
How long does arsenic leach from pressure treated wood?
The amounts of arsenic dislodged from the surfaces was determined before, after, and up to 1 year after coating.
What chemicals are in treated wood?
In the pressure-treating process, lumber is sealed in a tank, and air is extracted, creating a vacuum. Then a solution containing chromium, copper, and arsenic is added. Because of the vacuum, the chemicals are carried deep into the wood.
Does pressure treated wood still contain arsenic?
Tests have shown that the arsenic comes off the wood, whether it is wet or dry. Even old playground equipment may still have high levels of arsenic. The soils below decks and play structures can also become contaminated.
What's the difference between salt treated lumber and pressure-treated lumber?
The difference between the two is that pressure treated lumber will resist the elements better than untreated due to chemical preservatives added, and so will maintain its integrity in conditions that would cause normal wood to rot.
What type of wood is used for pressure-treated lumber?
The predominant species of treated wood is a regionally available softwood. Most common are: Southern Yellow Pine - Southern pine is the most common deck framing material in the eastern United States.
What are the different types of decking treatments?
There are 5 main types of garden decking treatment, all of which can be used to protect, preserve, maintain, restore, and rejuvenate old and new, softwood and hardwood decking . These are…. Grey, silver decking timber is a common problem that can be resolved.
What is the best way to protect wood decking?
Applying 2 coats to all sides and soaking all sawn ends in a quality wood preservative will help to protect decking timbers from these threats.
What makes wooden decking slippery?
Moss, mould or algae that has made wooden decking slippery and dangerous.
What does it mean when a deck is mouldy?
If mould, algae or other signs of biological growth are present, it’s probable that the deck is either untreated or that any old decking treatment has worn away or become ineffective.
Why is my deck turning grey?
It doesn’t take long for decked areas to start looking tired, weathered and worn. Decking boards can turn grey due to water and UV damage, and mould and algae growth can turn decking timbers green, slippery and dangerous. The good news is that all of these situations can be put right with the right decking treatments.
Why is my deck slippery?
When wooden decking becomes slippery, especially when damp or wet, it’s usually down to mould, mildew, algae or some other form of biological growth on the surface of the deck. Jet washing will remove the surface matter but will leave mould spores in the surface of the deck timbers.
How long does it take for wood to dry before painting?
Once the wood preservative has fully dried, usually 24 to 48 hours for most, even though they may feel touch dry in 8 hours or less, decking boards are ready for the main decking treatment, usually in the form of an oil, decking stain or decking paint.
What is composite decking?
There are many types of composite decking . In general the word “composite” means different materials combined to make a new finished product. Most commonly low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and wood are used together, but some products use rice hulls, high-density polyethylene and other combinations of various materials.
What is the best material for a deck?
Exotic hardwoods like Ipe wood are another excellent decking material option. The advantage of hardwoods is suggested right in their name – they’re hard. Their dense composition makes them resistant to infestation and rot. They also contain natural tannins that work similarly to the chemicals added to pressure-treated lumber.
How long does Trex decking last?
With minimal care, high-quality materials like Trex Composite Decking can last for 25 years. There are many manufacturers and color options to choose from when selecting composite materials, so the cost of composite decking can vary widely – as much as $8 to $12 per square foot.
How much does PVC decking cost?
When compared to wood, PVC decking has a much higher upfront cost, around $10-$12 per square foot, depending on the manufacturer. As with any longer-lasting building material, the increased cost of materials can be mitigated over time by the savings of reduced maintenance.
What color is PVC decking?
Aesthetically, PVC provides a wider range of options than ordinary lumber. You can find color options for brown, gray, white, tan, or even patterns that mimic the grain of wood. Solid PVC decking has been manufactured for over 20 years and has improved in both formulation and aesthetics over that time.
What is the most important decision you make when building a deck?
Choosing a decking material is arguably the most important decision you’ll make while building a deck. Different circumstances call for different types of decking, and each option has its own unique aesthetic appeal, maintenance requirements, and other important considerations to keep in mind when choosing.
What factors go into choosing deck material?
From cost and appearance to maintenance and installation, many factors go into choosing deck material options. If you want to make the best choice for your own deck, it helps to be fully informed about your options. Take a moment to learn more about decking materials here.
What is treated wood?
Treated wood is wood that has been appropriately treated with preservative chemicals with the intent of prolonging its intended usefulness lifecycle compared to untreated wood.
What is pressure treated wood?
Pressure Treatment (PT) is the general term to describe the process for infusing/impregnating the wood fibers with preservative chemicals and removing any excesses, leaving behind only enough chemical in the wood fibers (retention) to protect the wood.
Why is treated wood better than untreated wood?
Advantages of Treated Wood. Because treated wood is intended to extend the usefulness and life of wood, fewer trees are required to perform the same function that is required when untreated wood is used. Wood that has been appropriately treated can significantly reduce the number of trees that would otherwise need to be harvested.
How long does treated wood last?
If untreated wood only lasts 5 years and treated wood lasts 25 years or more, it would take at least 5 times as many trees over the same period of time, as well as the incremental labor, to continually harvest, ...
Does paint protect wood from insects?
Although regularly coating a surface with a paint or sealer may help protect wood from the elements, it won’t necessarily prevent it from rotting or being attacked by insects.
How much does it cost to maintain a PT deck?
Upkeep: The biggest downside to PT wood decks is the upkeep. PT wood decks can withstand weather and stand strong for 30+ years, but they must be maintained regularly. This includes applying water sealant every year, staining the deck every two years, and pressure washing the deck twice a year. In all, you will spend approximately 20 hours and $250 every year to maintain a deck. Over a 30 year period, that is 600 hours (or 30 weekends) and $7,500 maintaining a wood deck.
What happens to wood decking in the winter?
In other words, during the Winter we have ice and during the Summer we have rain. What happens to the wood during this time is that water enters the pores of the wood, causing the wood to expand and contract as the water enters and leaves the wood. This process causes splits (or 'checking') in the wood (which occurs with every wood deck). But, applying water sealant will decrease the effects of this natural process.
What causes wood to turn gray?
There's a scientific process called photo-oxidation that causes the surface of the boards to gray, but, the process can be slowed through the application of stain or paint.
What is pressure treated wood used for?
Generally, pressure treated (aka 'PT') wood is used in the construction of decks, pergolas, and sheds.
Is pressure treated wood good for decking?
In all, pressure treated wood, like anything, has its good qualities and its not-so-good qualities. But, with excellent features such as its resistant to fungal decay and termites as well as its attractive price-point, pressure treated wood is an outstanding choice to use for the construction of your deck.
Does pressure treated lumber repel insects?
Rot Resistant & Repels Insects: The chemicals used to create pressure treated lumber prevent rot resistant but they also act as an insecticide; so, with PT wood, you receive a 2-for-1 deal.
How is marine lumber treated?
To prepare it for harsh marine environments, wood is pressure treated with a combination of water and preservatives to keep pests away and slow the rate of decay. Different preservatives are suited for different applications and types of wood. Let’s go over some of the most common treatments you’ll see in marine lumber.
What lumber is used for docking?
For decks and docks of all kinds, many contractors choose UC4B and UC4C for the decking and framing. Experienced contractors know that you need to have lumber that is certified for “ground contact” or higher for humid, harsh, or near water applications.
Why Does Lumber Treatment Type Matter?
There’s a common misconception that all treated lumber is created equal, but each kind has its own unique properties and applications. If you want your dock or deck to be safe, durable, and compliant with local building codes, you need to understand the differences between types of pressure-treated lumber.
Why do you use lumber treatment?
These treatments help protect lumber from rot, moisture, and burrowing pests—and to prevent the treatment in your lumber from seeping out into the environment. This lumber can often be used in environments where occasional saltwater contact is likely, such as framing over saltwater. Lumber that isn’t safe for ground contact will wear away faster and may even cause damage to the flora and fauna surrounding it.
What is ACQ in lumber?
ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) – Contains a quaternary compound including copper and ammonium. ACQ is strong against fungi, insects, and other marine creatures that may damage the integrity of lumber.
What is the best preservative for marine lumber?
Let’s go over some of the most common treatments you’ll see in marine lumber. MCA (micronized copper azole) and CA (copper azole) – Copper-based preservatives suitable for above-ground, below-ground, and freshwater uses. These treatments penetrate deep into lumber to prevent rot from water exposure and pests.
What is marine grade lumber?
This indicates that the wood can withstand continuous saltwater exposure.
What does Q decking mean?
Contractors and builders continue to use the term Q deck to simply mean metal decking. This stems from the popularity of Q decking back when it was still being manufactured. It was a popular series ...
What was the first composite decking?
Q deck was the first metal decking to create a composite reaction. Nowadays composite metal floor decking is manufactured by all major metal decking manufacturers.
What Is Q Deck?
Quik Lock or Q deck was a type of composite metal floor decking that came in different profiles and gauges. It was created by HH Robertson Company. The QL abbreviation stood for Quick Lock, which is what they used to refer to the embossed metal floor decking.
What is a 3 QL99 composite deck?
A modern style of type 3”-QL99 composite floor decking is called type W3-36 FormLok composite decking. This panel is 3” deep, 36” wide, the sidelaps have a male leg and female leg. The sidelaps can be connected with a button punch tool, punchlok tool, stitch screw, or seam weld.
When was QL decking invented?
Back in the 1960’s they invented a composite metal floor decking by adding an embossment pattern to the metal decking during the roll forming process. They named this type of metal decking Quick Lock or the abbreviated name QL.
Can you get resistance while getting a metal floor deck panel approved?
In very few cases you may get resistance while trying to get a modern metal floor deck panel approved. If this happens you must explain to your customer that it is impossible to get Q deck anymore and that their job must be converted to a modern type of decking and will not be able to proceed until that happens.
Is Q deck manufactured?
Well the most important thing that you need to understand about Q deck is that Q deck is no longer manufactured by any existing company. Q deck has not been manufactured since the 1990’s. Western Metal Deck has been stocking and supplying all kinds of metal decking for over 20 years. As a metal decking supplier, ...
