Decking Treatment & Maintenance
Outdoor balustrade and decking supplied by Cheshire Mouldings is of superior quality. Once you have fitted and fixed, you need to give the product best possible treatment and then maintain it in order to make sure that it remains splendidly attractive for as long as possible.
With the installation complete, you may want to apply a deck cleaner to remove any dirt of grease. This will brighten the timber as well
Hardwood Balustrades
Although quite tough, any untreated timber exposed to the weather needs to be protected.
To protect and enhance your balustrade, apply a proprietary clear water repellent, semi-transparent seal or a decking oil. First make sure that the balustrade is dry – test by sprinkling drops of water over the surface and if the wood does not absorb the moisture let it dry out and retest before starting the application.
Apply an end-seal preservative to any surface that has been exposed by drilling or cutting.
To protect and enhance your balustrade, apply a proprietary clear water repellent, semi-transparent seal or a decking oil. First make sure that the balustrade is dry – test by sprinkling drops of water over the surface and if the wood does not absorb the moisture let it dry out and retest before starting the application.
Apply an end-seal preservative to any surface that has been exposed by drilling or cutting.
Balustrade Maintenance
For all balustrade components, follow carefully the seal, stain or oil recommendations of the manufacturer and test on an off-cut or hidden surface.
Cheshire Mouldings recommends that all components should be recoated at least annually.
Use a cloth, slightly heated water and a mild detergent for items such as glass and alloy posts or rails. Do not polish or employ abrasive cleaners and scourers.
Cheshire Mouldings recommends that all components should be recoated at least annually.
Use a cloth, slightly heated water and a mild detergent for items such as glass and alloy posts or rails. Do not polish or employ abrasive cleaners and scourers.
Softwood Decking
As standard, timber decking materials from Cheshire Mouldings are made from softwood Scandinavian Pine. There is a natural tendency as the timber weathers for there to be minor surface checking and splitting, caused by the variation in moisture content and the effects of wetting and drying out. These surface defects do not harm the decking structure.
As with balustrades, decking should have a proprietary clear water repellent, semi-transparent seal or decking oil applied, for the sake of protection and enhancement. Make sure that the decking is dry before you start. Test by sprinkling drops of water over the surface and if the wood does not absorb the moisture let it dry out and retest before carrying out the work.
Note that newly-laid decking should not have any finish applied until it has weathered properly. Add an end-seal preservative to any surface that has been exposed by drilling or cutting.
As with balustrades, decking should have a proprietary clear water repellent, semi-transparent seal or decking oil applied, for the sake of protection and enhancement. Make sure that the decking is dry before you start. Test by sprinkling drops of water over the surface and if the wood does not absorb the moisture let it dry out and retest before carrying out the work.
Note that newly-laid decking should not have any finish applied until it has weathered properly. Add an end-seal preservative to any surface that has been exposed by drilling or cutting.
Decking Maintenance
The need for cleaning will depend on how much the deck is used and the proximity of trees and foliage, of course. At least once per season, maybe twice, take a stiff broom to the wood, dislodging algae and reducing the risk of the area becoming slippery.
It is recommended that you hose down the deck thoroughly twice per year, if necessary employing a deck cleaner and brightener.
Surface resin is best removed with a chisel, then you will need to recoat the area. Use a blade to remove any debris build-up in the grooves between the boards, as these gaps are needed for drainage and air circulation. Check all fixings, re-punch nail heads and tighten screws as and where necessary.
It is recommended that you hose down the deck thoroughly twice per year, if necessary employing a deck cleaner and brightener.
Surface resin is best removed with a chisel, then you will need to recoat the area. Use a blade to remove any debris build-up in the grooves between the boards, as these gaps are needed for drainage and air circulation. Check all fixings, re-punch nail heads and tighten screws as and where necessary.
Pressure Treated
Softwood outdoor balustrade components are treated to make them last for 15 years. They are pressure treated with Celcure AC - 500. Initially, this has a green appearance, but it weathers to a honey brown before eventually fading to grey. It can be painted or stained to match any outdoor colour scheme.