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A garden deck is a lovely addition to any home. It not only gives added value to your home but it also provides a great place to entertain family members, relatives and friends especially on a cool afternoon or evening. A garden decking project is easy to do so long as no complicated and high
structures are involved. A simple garden deck can even be completed in just one weekend.
Garden decking projects can now make use of different types of material. Although wood remains to be the top choice among homeowners and professional garden designers around the world, non-wood products are readily available today from timber shops and DIY specialty stores with free decking kits to boot.
Timber decking materials may either be made from hardwood or softwood depending on the personal preference of people wanting to put up a garden deck in their homes. Hardwoods like mahogany, teak, ipe, jarrah and ironbark are naturally strong and need no chemical treatment but are more expensive while softwoods
like pine and fir may need pressure treatment to make it more durable and resistant to rotting. They come in various sizes and colors. Their texture also varies from plain and smooth decking boards to the grooved or ribbed ones that provide a better grip underfoot when it’s slippery and improved drainage.
They add a unique look to garden decks as well. Wooden decking tiles may likewise be used but they are usually built on top of an existing flat surface.
People who opt for the non-wood materials may choose from the different types of synthetic materials. Composite wood or a mix of wood and plastic is gaining popularity today as a garden decking material. Other synthetic materials that prove to be a good alternative to wood include recycled high-density polyethylene,
waterproof aluminum, polyethylene and cedar composite and fiberglass. These materials are extremely sturdy, easy to install and need low maintenance giving homeowners many years of outdoor fun and relaxation.
Of course, people should not forget to give their garden decks the proper care and maintenance as often as possible. Decks will greatly benefit from regular cleaning using a stiff broom or brush. A thorough cleaning using pressure spray or deck cleaning liquid at least once a year in spring or autumn is also best.
Color discoloration may be prevented by using a clear water repellent coating. If homeowners are diligent in doing this, their garden decks will look like new and won’t become slippery when wet. If small cracks are observed through the years, it’s just a part of a wood’s character being a natural product. These cracks are an effect of the wetting and drying of wood or its natural ageing process.
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