transformed into an alfresco retreat

Painted love

Give a new deck a chic, on-trend look with a tinted finish that still allows the beautiful grain to shine

Alow-level timber deck was the answer to creating an outdoor room over the existing pavers of this backyard. Using a modular system meant it could be installed over a weekend and the adjustable feet allow for inconsistencies in the ground level. Made from treated pine, these decking panels are relatively lightweight to work with and can be stained any colour. Here, a water-based stain was used – it leaves a semi-opaque finish. }

Timber treatment

Mimosa ‘Malibu’ 1 seater lounge, $249, I/N: 0177346. Bayliss ‘Hampton’ 225cm x 155cm sisal border rug in Natural, $199, I/N: 6670579. (Bring rug in out of the weather when not in use.) Rosemary in Northcote Pottery ‘Primo Jardin’ 22cm x 20cm planter in White, $20.90, I/N: 2833006 (plant sold separately). Deck built using Good Times 1116mm x 1116mm x 90mm x 45mm frame modules flat pack, $77 each, I/N: 8451187, and 1113mm x 555mm treated pine modular decking panels, $81 each, I/N: 8451230. Deck painted in Cabot’s ‘Deck & Exterior’ water based timber stain in Beach House Grey, $103/4L, I/N: 1520191. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Essential exposure Any new timber that will be subject to the elements must be sealed to protect it from deteriorating, but first it should be exposed to the weather for at least a month to leech out the natural tannins, pigments and oils. If these aren’t removed, the quality of the finish can be compromised. An alternative that’s quicker is to treat the timber with a prepping product designed to activate with water, followed by a deck cleaner to do what the weathering does in a couple of hours.

Tip

For 30 modular decking squares (just over 30 square metres) you’ll need at least four litres of timber prep solution and four litres of stain for each coat

1Wet the deck using a hose, sweeping away pools of water with a stiff-bristled broom. Pour the prep solution into a bucket to brush it liberally over the boards, applying a thick coat and leaving it for 15 minutes. Tip: Work backwards, standing on the un-prepped decking to avoid slipping. 2Wearing non-slip shoes, systematically scrub the solution into the boards, then rinse off thoroughly with a hose. Tip: Use the hose to mist over the deck to keep it damp throughout the preparation and cleaning process, wetting the boards again before applying the cleaner.

TOOLS & MATERIALS  Safety equipment (eye protection and non-slip shoes) Hose with adjustable nozzle  Stiff-bristled broom  Buckets Timber prep product Deck cleaning solution  Painter’s tape Deck sealer or stain  Paint stirrer Medium-width paintbrush Lambswool applicator with extension pole

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DIY toolkit

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3In a bucket, mix one part cleaning solution with four parts water and scrub it thoroughly over the damp decking with the stiff-bristled broom. Leave the solution for 20 minutes, keeping the deck damp by misting over any patches that begin to dry out. Note: Water activates the solution to remove the tannins. 4Hose off the solution until the soda-like bubbles have dispersed, directing the wash away from structures or plants, then brush off excess water and leave to dry completely. Sweep the deck with a dry broom to remove any residual dirt. Tip: After cleaning, treated pine will look lighter and more even in colour.

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1 Good Times 1113mm x 555mm treated pine modular decking panel, $81 each, I/N: 8451230. 2 Holman multi function spray gun with thumb control, $24, I/N: 3111081. 3 UNi-PRO 230mm lambswool applicator with extension pole, $16.36, I/N: 1670779. 4 Oates ‘Workshop’ medium stiff poly broom head, $28, I/N: 0064610. 5 Cabot’s ‘Deck Clean’ exterior timber cleaner, $42.90/4L, I/N: 1521477. 6 Cabot’s ‘Deck & Exterior’ water based timber stain in Beach House Grey, $103/4L, I/N: 1520191. 7 Gardena ‘HighFlex’ 13mm x 30m fitted garden hose, $92.90, I/N: 3120802. 8 Cabot’s New Timber Prep, $56.90/4L, I/N: 1520593. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. 5Mask around posts, steps and along walls with tape. Stir the stain to disperse pigments for an even colour and pour into a bucket. Paint stain around the edges of the deck and seal the exposed ends of the boards with a brush. Tip: For access to the decking end-grain, paint the fascia separately and attach it after sealing the deck. 6Apply the stain with a lambswool applicator, working quickly along three boards at a time, using a sweeping motion and working backwards to avoid walking on the wet stain. Leave to dry for two hours, then repeat to apply a second and third coat. Leave the deck to dry for a day before walking on it. ◆

Like new again

QUESTION TIME

The Cabot’s Project Assistant can answer your questions about restoring your deck. Scan the QR code for instant advice.

A new coat of oil or stain instantly restores your deck, but how often should you do it? Cabot’s has the answers dry, apply one coat across the whole deck to even out the colour.

Afreshly finished timber deck Remember to check your deck every is a thing of beauty. Ideally 12 months. Maintaining a great looking STARTING FROM SCRATCH done regularly to keep it in deck is much easier if you recoat before Uneven ageing can be a problem good shape, a new coat of oil or stain the finish completely degrades. with a new deck too. Traditionally, costs little effort, while rewarding you new timber needs to weather before with a seriously good looking deck. OLD MEETS NEW it can be coated, meaning it needs to Once a year is a good rule of thumb, It would be nice if your deck finish be left exposed to the elements until but how do you really know when it’s wore evenly, but the reality is, you’re the tannins and oils have been drawn time to give your deck some love? likely to have patchy wear, where out. This takes four to six weeks, but it some parts of your deck are more can be hard to know exactly when it’s AGEING DISGRACEFULLY exposed to UV and rain. The good weathered enough, and more exposed Greying, cracked and craggy – you news is, it’s a simple matter to get it parts will inevitably weather faster than don’t love signs of ageing on your face back to looking uniformly gorgeous. others. Eliminate the waiting and the and neither should you put up with it on Simply scrub the whole deck with guesswork with Cabot’s New Timber your deck. Cracking, splitting, greying Cabot’s Deck Clean to get rid of any Prep. This product lets you skip the and splintering are all signs you need dirt and prep the surface for your finish. wait and ensures evenly weathered to refinish your deck, fast. But you don’t Apply two coats of oil or stain to the timber and a beautifully oiled or stained need to wait until it’s looking shabby damaged parts, then when it’s fully deck, with no patchy bits. before giving it TLC. Keep an eye out and note any colour fade of the coating. A water bead test is also a good way to know what’s going on with your timber; sprinkle droplets of water on the timber and if the water beads on the surface, the existing finish is still going strong.

But if the water soaks straight in, your 1 Cabot’s ‘Aquadeck’ exterior decking oil ready bucket in Merbau, $89/5L, I/N: 0229568. 2 Cabot’s deck is unprotected from the elements Deck & Exterior water-based timber stain in Beach House Grey, $103/4L, I/N: 1520191. Timber Prep, $34.90/2L, I/N: 1520592. 4 Cabot’s Deck Clean, $15.90/1L, I/N: 1521451. 3 Cabot’s New and you need to refinish it pronto.