Your guide to decking protection

For customers looking to make the most of their gardens, decking is a fantastic way of creating a functional space that can be used all year round, year after year. In this blog, we look at how Ronseal Trade Decking Protector will ensure decking stands the test of time.

Timber decking can have a long lifespan if it is correctly treated and maintained. Applying Ronseal Trade Decking Protector will prevent it from splitting, warping, rotting and greying over time and ensure your customer can make use of the space for years to come.

Ronseal Trade Decking Protector has a hard-wearing formulation that can withstand extreme weather conditions and heavy foot traffic. Unlike traditional oil products, it is also wax enriched and hydrophobic which means that it repels water (causing water to bead on the surface) and prevents damp from seeping into the wood and causing lasting damage.

Our tips for top-notch protection:

Check if the wood is pre-treated

Most decking will come with a pre-treatment already applied that works to protect the timber against water ingress and damage. However, this will only last for around six months. To ensure the deck is protected long term, we recommend applying Ronseal Trade Decking Protector.

Before applying Ronseal Trade Decking Protector, it is important to make sure that the pre-treatment has had time to wear away (we suggest allowing at least six months) or removed. This is because the pre-treatment is waterproof and will prevent Ronseal Trade Decking Protector from properly adhering to the surface and doing its job.

Clean and dry the timber first

It is also important to make sure that the surface is clean before Ronseal Trade Decking Protector is applied to ensure that it adheres properly. The deck should then be left to dry completely (this should take around 48 hours) as if the timber is damp, Ronseal Trade Decking Protector will lock in this moisture and this can lead to the deck warping, splitting and rotting.

We also recommend keeping an eye on the weather to make sure you have at least three consecutive dry days. This will allow time for the cleaned surface to dry and Ronseal Trade Decking Protector to cure.

Put an ongoing maintenance programme in place

Once Ronseal Trade Decking Protector has been applied, it is important to complete annual maintenance checks - ideally in the Spring, to make sure no damage has occurred during the harsher weather over Winter. This will make sure any wear and tear is identified quickly and can be remedied before significant issues occur. We also suggest checking that deck is still protected from water ingress by testing that water still beads on the surface.

To find out more about Ronseal Trade Decking Protector click here.