Deck Restoration: A Step-By-Step Beginner’s Guide

Deck Restoration: A Step-By-Step Beginner’s Guide

Your deck adds beauty and value to your home. Its purpose is multifold: it can be an oasis to escape from the sun, or it can be a special place to congregate with friends and family. With attention and care, this outdoor space can last a lifetime. The best way to extend the life of your deck is to recognise when it’s time for a bit of deck restoration. Deck maintenance is easy when done properly and often.

Your deck is exposed to the harsh outdoor elements, so it is important to address any damage it may sustain in the early stages rather than leaving it to deteriorate and become a bigger problem later on. If you are a do-it-yourself enthusiast, it’s the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and give your deck the love and care it deserves so it can serve you for years to come.

In this article, you will learn how to address and fix deck problems, in four steps, without the need for professional intervention. Follow these steps to have your old deck looking like new in no time!

1. Inspecting your deck for damages

The effect of different weather conditions, such as the rain and high heat, combined with UV damage can break down the structure of your timber decking. Inspect your deck’s entire surface thoroughly, especially where your deck makes contact with the ground or where wood is connected with wood. You want to make sure there is no structural damage such as wood rot. If you can jostle the wood or sink a screwdriver into it easily, the wood must be replaced.

2. Cleaning your deck

You should be washing your deck annually. Pressure washing is the most effective method to remove dirt and peeling paint from wood. If you regularly maintain your deck, you should be able to restore the timber of your deck with a deck cleaner.

If you are restoring a neglected outdoor deck, or one that has been previously coated with paint or stain, you may require a stain or paint remover. Always wear protective gear such as gloves, and take the proper precautions to ensure your lawn or garden is insulated from any toxic products you apply.

If you have varnished or treated wood such as pine and want a stained deck, the outer coatings must be stripped with paint thinner and then cleaned. If your deck already has a clear finish or a transparent wood stain, skip the paint stripper, and clean it with a wood deck cleaning product.

3. Sanding your deck

You can sand your wood deck with a belt sander, palm sander, sanding sponge, and lots of sunshine.  This is a very dusty process, so use a respiratory mask, work gloves that fit and eye protection.

This step is important to prevent any future problems, so take enough time sanding your deck until it is completely clean of mildew, fungus or rot before moving on to the next step.

4. Staining or oiling your deck

The final step to restoring your deck is finishing it off with a fresh coat of decking oil or wood stain.

Deck Restoration: A Step-By-Step Beginner’s Guide

Decking oil: A special decking oil will protect your deck’s wood from both weathering factors and harmful UV rays. The oil works naturally to moisturise the wood, which, in turn, helps fight decay. Choosing the best decking oil depends on your desired look, your deck’s usage, and the type of timber your deck is made of.

Decking oils come in a number of colours that go from a dark and rich shade to completely un-tinted. They are even available in colours that match popular woods for decking like Merbau and Jarrah. Decking oils in general are not intended to dramatically change the look of the wood. Apply as much product onto the wood as possible in thin coats, and wait approximately a week for it to dry before reapplying.

Wood Stains: Stains have all of the advantages of decking oils with the added benefit of sealing the wood, which creates another layer of protection from the environment. You can also stain composite decking, to achieve desired colours and additional protection.

When staining your deck, it is best to apply your stain with a special stain brush, which works the stain into the surface of your deck and helps control the uniformity of your application. Sprayers will not give you this type of control, and they can be very messy to clean up after. Roller brush application may be faster, but it tends to create a pooling of the stain in one place and therefore causes problems like peeling.

Stains will permanently alter the look of your deck, so be careful when choosing the right stain for your wood:

  • Clear – provides no protection, so it is not appropriate for outdoor use
  • Translucent – accentuates the grain and only needs one application
  • Semi-transparent – allows for a natural wood look with a fairly consistent colour
  • Semi-solid – has more pigmentation than a semi-transparent stain with less wood showing through
  • Solid – closer in application to a paint and allows for a perfect uniform colour

What’s next?

Deck restoration might feel like a daunting task, but before you call a professional, see what you can do yourself to give your deck a makeover.

If you are not afraid to use a few tools and break a sweat, you will be able to clean, sand, and oil or stain your deck and enjoy the fruits of your labour for years to come.

If you want more timber decking tips, check out Austim’s timber blog.

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Austim are a great partner and timber supplier. Our business is based on the East Coast of Australia and we partner with Austim for WA projects. We have had a long lasting and great working relationship with Austim for many years. Highly recommend them.
daniel wright
daniel wright
06:31 18 Jun 19
Austim is always the first place I try when I need timber and it’s rare that I can’t get what I need there. Stuart is a rare gem of a gent to deal with – quick to respond to any queries, full of good advice and goes out of his way to help get whatever project I’m working on happening to my schedule, even when all I need is a few sticks and a handful of fixings. Highly recommend Austim, the team and young Stuart.
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Stuart went out of his way to make sure we got the product we wanted. He made suggestions on possible constructions and timbers suitable. Very knowledgeable friendly staff all around. Excellent experience, highly recommended.
Holger Butenschon
Holger Butenschon
05:14 22 May 18
Hi Ben,Just wanted to thankyou for your help and advice in our selection of the Millboard Vintage Oak decking also in you recommending Grant from Premier Hardwood Decking. Grant has just completed our decking and we couldn't have asked for a more professional, reliable and competent tradesman. The decking has been installed to a very high standard and the decking itself is stunning. Ian and Sue
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06:27 08 Oct 18
I've used Austim on a few occasions for home projects like decking and pergola, etc and each time the response to my requests for price and delivery have been excellent, the deliveries took place as negotiated, the timber quality was great and value for money. The team at Austim do a great job and make dealing with Austim a breeze.
Michael Robinson
Michael Robinson
09:06 25 Oct 18
I have worked with Austim for around 8 years now and they are one of the best suppliers in perth to deal with. I would highly recommend to use them for any timber needs!!!
Art of Timber
Art of Timber
07:55 05 Mar 20
I had been looking for some cedar for my kayak project and had rung a couple of other places with no luck. When I contacted Austim they were very helpful, had the timber in stock and I was on my was in 20 minutes. The wood was very good quality and has really finished up beautifully. Thanks to Austim.
mark alderson
mark alderson
02:03 08 Apr 17
I"d like to thank Austim for there help in supplying me with material that firstly I thought I'd have trouble sourcing as it was marring up with originally 30 year old existing timber.My project was not a massive project but still needed the attention of an new build.The timber supplied by Austim was machined to size with absolute perfection, where I had to remove old pieces and replace with the new pieces they fitted perfectly.once the floors are re-sanded and varnished they will be back to there former glory. Thanks again to the staff at Austim.Regards Bob Heppenstall.I've just added a finished photo after the Floor Sanding was completed.Original timber was Tassie Oak, and the new is Vic Ash, as you can see there is only a slight variation in the final product.I hope this gives anyone thinking doing the same the confidence to proceed. Regards Bob Heppenstall.
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Great service and product.I struggled to find a bench top in the size and material I wanted, so was really happy when I found one with Austim.It came fully protected with wrap and was undamaged when I got it home.Thanks
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Good selection, friendly staff, competitive pricing. Preferred over the 'hardware store'.You can hand pick if you need superior quality, Ben Price helped me with sorting through
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Quick responses, timber prepared to request including cutting to Size. Easy pick up. Highly recommend.
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We wanted Marri boards to make a bed - Austim provided beautiful planed and sized boards - at a good price - delivered on time......excellent service!
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Ordered some merbau timber through austim to replace some rotten pine stair treads. The guy on the phone was very helpful .the timber was straight and had no faults or damage. Sent a message with a picture to say the timber had been delivered. Would definitely order timber from them again
Galaxie Galaxie
Galaxie Galaxie
05:25 29 Nov 23
Ron has help me out tremendously with designing and supplying two decks. Everything required to build them including screws Concreate, stirrups and timber. Service is excellent and at competitive prices.
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Craig Bussanich
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Excellent service! The gentlemen that served us was so helpful and sorted out our kitchen bench top in 15 minutes! Great product!
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