Know How Weathering Affect Timber Deck And How To Take Care Of Them

To all of us, timber decking is a great place to sit in the sunshine and have snacks while enjoying with friends and family. So, it’s imperative to keep it protected in Good condition. In extreme weather, such as cold, rain, wind and sunlight can take a toll on your deck, which causes the timber to discolour, weaken and wrap.

When it comes to searching why Australian timber deck is affected by the weather, we got to know some common reasons why and when timber weathers. Well, busting the fact, the timber consist of a number of substances and primary of them is cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose. These are bonded together at a cellular level, relative levels, and the properties determine the strength and density of the timber.

Whether you know or not, both the cellulose and hemicellulose are soft and found together in the cell walls with lignin, which forms microfibrils. Lignin is the part of the cell that limits the absorption of water as well as provides strength to the timber.

When timber is exposed to the sun for a long time without any protection, the rays can degrade lignin, which can result in weakening the structure of the cells and their bonds to each other. Water too has some destructive effect on timber decking, which is less than sun rays. The timber wall becomes softer when saturated by the water. This happens when the hydrogen bond between cellulose and other elements in the cells of timber are weaker than the bond forms between water and cellulose. Eventually, it does not take more time for the wood to dry out.

Due to weathering issue, the natural expansion and contraction happen. But the question most of our Brisbane deck builders come across is how to protect the timber decking? Here are the 3 things to decide:

Keep it Sealed:

Your deck needs to be protected with a sealant or stain, which will help to safeguard the timber against the water exposure and sunlight. There are many stains, paints and oils are available in the market that are designed to protect the timber decking. No doubt, the deck stain, oil or sealant has to be reapplied once or thrice a year. Moreover, the amount of time passes between the coats depends on the product you choose.

Keep a Gap Between Decking Boards:

It creates proper ventilation and keeps the timber in healthier condition. Since it allows the airflow between and below the decking boards, there will be no more mould or mildew. It also allows the room for timber to expand and contract, and there will be no more space for the pool of water. We recommend leaving the gap of at least 5mm between decking boards for the good health of your deck.

Cover It: 

This the things you should no skip to ensure the longevity of the deck. Provide the cover for the area with Pergola or verandah to reduce the possibility of the affected deck by the weather.

You have gone through the reasons why timber deck deteriorates over time and how to take care of them. For more such information, keep reading our blogs and share your feedback with us at 1300155677.