Wood decking, no matter the species, needs regular maintenance once every 2 or 3 years. The life span of wood decking can be extended by performing regular maintenance. A painted wood deck may last for 10 years before needing decking services.
This does not mean every painted deck lasts this long, depending on the type of stain used and how well applied, and the weather. That is, the precise length of time that decks last depends on wood species, as well as various other factors. The life span of your deck depends largely on the type of wood, and also how well you keep it maintained and sealed throughout the years. If you are taking great care of your deck, giving it as much care as necessary, it could last for 20+ years.
Regardless of what kind of wooden deck you choose, making a commitment to a regular maintenance schedule and keeping up with the maintenance will ensure that you enjoy your deck for years. Maintaining a wood deck that is been pressure treated requires a similar level of diligence in regular maintenance and upkeep that any other wood deck will need. Despite this unique process, pressure treated wood needs the same level of periodic care, cleaning, and maintenance that you do for other types of wood decks, ranging from pine to cedar to redwood.
This is particularly true of wooden decks, because they require annual stripping in order for protective sealants to seep into the wood more deeply. Power washing your wood acts as a natural exfoliant and helps the protective sealers seep deeper into the wood, protecting your deck. Your deck needs annual exfoliation to allow protective sealers to penetrate deep into the wood.
The best way to clean a deck (of any material) is to let wood deck professionals expertly brush, scrub, and power wash it, taking proper care. Regularly cleaning your deck and making sure that it is clear of all clutter and debris not only keeps your deck looking great, but also helps make your deck a safer place to enjoy. Like any other part of your house, you have maintenance needs that go into keeping a deck safe for use and looking great.
Staining the deck and general wood maintenance will ensure that your deck looks great for years. Regular maintenance is crucial for maintaining the beauty and structural integrity of your deck, so that you will be able to enjoy it for years to come. Not only is a well-maintained deck an attractive addition to your home, making sure wood is properly treated and refinished regularly helps wood last longer. No wooden deck will last forever, but regularly performing thorough maintenance plays an important part in prolonging its lifespan.
Now, regardless of how often you check it, or keep your deck looking good with staining and sealing, it will require periodic replacement. The thing is, wood decks are not going to have a roof above them that will keep them protected from the elements, so they are going to need replacing eventually. The last thing you want to waste time on is worrying about your wooden deck and if you are going to have to replace it any time soon.
If you are going to put up a new one, or if you are moving to a home where there is already a deck, then you are probably wondering when you are going to have to think about replacing it. If your deck is showing signs of aging, and is more than 20 years old, then you should start thinking about replacing the deck. For decks that are more than a decade old, you might consider taking Pro Tour out once or twice per year.
For professionally built decks under five years old, doing a simple visual inspection each year should suffice, provided that you maintain a good maintenance schedule, no matter what age, material, or state the deck is in. To ensure that your deck will last as long and look great as possible, you will want to check on the deck at least once per year, too.
While the paint is far more susceptible to getting damaged than stain, you do not need to re-stain your deck every year, as regular, adequate maintenance can be sufficient already. That is, depending on different factors surrounding deck maintenance, you might have to re-stain the floorboards of your deck every year. Decks will also need staining, painting, and sealing every 2-3 years in order to keep them looking great.
Your deck may require re-staining once per year or once every 2 years, again depending on those factors. The best protection you can give your deck is high-quality stain. Staining or sealing a wood deck is a crucial aspect of deck maintenance and should be done annually to keep it from rotting and rotting.
Whether you are replacing or refurbishing a deck, you should consider using materials that can last for a little longer than pressure-treated wood. Whether you are refurbishing the surface of your deck or replacing it entirely, alternative materials such as steel framing and composites are well worth considering for longer life for your deck. If you are maxing out the needs, you might want to think about replacing the surface of your deck with a composite decking material, which looks just like real wood, but holds up better against the elements than wood.
If the rot in your wood has significantly spread, then you would be better off rebuilding your deck and starting over. Even small amounts of wood rot left unchecked eventually will need you to invest in an all-new deck. Decks can last anywhere from 20-50 years, depending on the wood used and regular maintenance. Just like spaces within your home, a deck needs periodic cleaning and maintenance in order to stay habitable and safe.
