Special Outdoor floors: care and maintenance

BRING ON THE BITTER COLD OF WINTER

THE IDEAL APPROACH TO THE MAINTENANCE AND TREATMENT OF OUTDOOR WOODEN FLOORS

After a blazing hot summer like that of this blessed year of 2022, outdoor floors have suffered under intense use. And so, it’s high time not only to renovate them and get them looking presentable again, but also to give the wood the necessary nutrients to help it withstand the coming winter with ease. In this article we consider what the ideal method is for the maintenance and treatment of the terrace.

People often talk about feeding the wood, but what exactly do they mean by that? And what is the best way of doing this? In this context specialists point out that obviously you cannot deploy ‘seal products’ for outdoor wooden floors. The same applies to stains, which cannot withstand stagnant water (a stain always needs an angle of at least five degrees to facilitate drainage). Another point which you mustn’t forget with stains is that lots of wood sorts used for outdoor floors cannot be stained permanently and a stain can’t even cope with light traffic. All this means that you have to use a different protective system if you plan to saturate and impregnate an outdoor wooden floor.

Maximum saturation

As the name itself implies, saturating a piece of wood involves ‘filling’ all the wood fibres in full. The idea is to leave merely the slightest trace of the saturation product on the surface. This is a very simple operation which can be carried out with very few resources and protects the wood from distortion, the development of blue mould, and ageing as a result of exposure to ultraviolet light.

Various aspects cause us to wonder what the most attractive products are for the treatment and maintenance of an outdoor terrace to get it ready for the winter. Here, specialists point out that impregnation basically provides effective and decorative protection for a limited period. This is resistant to UV rays, poor weather conditions, and, sometimes, heavy traffic. Since there is basically no protective film on the surface, you mustn’t forget to repeat the saturation process regularly.

Frequency of maintenance

The frequency of maintenance depends on the level of exposure. Generally speaking, it is advisable to apply a maintenance coat for the first two or three years after the initial impregnation. Late summer and late spring are the ideal times for doing this. This annual rate of frequency diminishes over time, so the main thing is not to multiply the annual coats to avoid the risk of forming a surface coat due to excessive overlapping.

A follow-up question is how to react to minor damages. They seem to cause few problems, if any. You scratch gently to remove the ‘indentation’ or scratch and then re-apply the saturation agent. Compositions are getting better and better

Remember also: Producers are working all the time to refine the quality of their saturation products for terraces and horizontal wooden walls. This makes them increasingly durable, and that’s the main concern of both private and professional users. A good example of this is Blanchon, which has just recently launched its ‘Huile Terrasse Bardage’/Terrace Decking Oil (see the section below for more information), which has been awarded a performance certificate. It should also be noted that water-based saturation agents now have the upper hand.

Main source: Blanchon.

Some specialists

Blanchon

In Blanchon’s very full range of products for treating and maintaining outdoor floors, we refer particularly to the ‘Huile Terrasse Bardage’ (terrace decking oil), which was launched as recently as 2020. What’s interesting is that this is the very first translucent and highly durable oil for outdoors. ‘Huile Terrasse Bardage’ is versatile and suitable not only for terraces, but also for horizontal structures such as gates, walls, privacy screens, fences, etc. The unique composition of this product (high UV resistance and reinforced bead effect) offers effective and durable protection for all wood sorts and reduces the frequency of maintenance. The ultra-natural matt look (four wood shades) highlights the rough and natural beauty of exotic, hardwood, and softwood, plus sterilised and heat-treated wood sorts. It can be applied directly to new wood with no prior distressing, in just two coats, wet to wet, and with no dusting. Maintenance is easy and involves no sanding, whilst local renovation is possible. The performances of this oil are certified by FCBA, with the CTB Finitions Bois certification.

Bona

A wooden terrace floor is exposed constantly to sun, heavy rain, snow, and extreme fluctuations in temperature all year round. To freshen up wooden terrace floors, Bona has the Decking System, which comprises two processes which are geared to each other: 1. Deep and thorough cleaning with Bona Power Scrubber: This is a compact scrubbing machine fitted with two contra-rotating cylinder brushes (red or orange in colour). With a suitable product, this machine cleans deep down into the wood fibres. The related products are: Bona Deep Clean Solution, with a special formula

for cleaning wooden floors deeply, or Bona Conditioner, with a special formula for exclusive use on outdoor wooden floors, for removing dirt, grease, mould, stains, algae, and scale. 2. Protective coat: After thorough cleaning and drying, the Bona

Decking Oil (including UV protection) can be applied. This is a concentrated mix of vegetable oils. This oil protects the wood from mould and warping, whilst it also brings out the natural wood grain better. It is available in four colours, namely neutral, mahogany, teak, and grey.

Chimiver

LIOS GRIGIOFF - LIOS SUNDECK WOOD OIL - LIOS SUNDECK SOAP DESCRIPTION:

Chimiver has designed a product for each phase of the outdoor wooden floors maintenance process (original color restoration, nourishment, wood protection, cleaning and sanitation): 1. Lios® Grigioff to eliminate “grey”. It is a water-based solution for restoring the original color of outdoor wooden surfaces. Lios® Grigioff is a Certified Biodegradable and Ecotoxic product. 2. Lios® Sundeck Wood Oil to deeply nourish the surface This impregnating oil is very effective against the deterioration of outdoor wood. It is suggested to use it after applying Lios® Grigioff, the floor will get a warm and natural tone that will transform the look of the decking in the blink of an eye. Lios® Sundeck Wood Oil is also available in "light" versions that do not change the original color of the decking. 3. Lios® Sundeck Soap for washing and maintaining your refurbished decking Lios® Sundeck Soap on outdoor wood should be used as a cleaning, delicate and nourishing soap. In fact, it easily removes dirt, chlorine and salt residues while nourishing the wood. The floor will be immediately walkable, without streaks and with a healthy and nourished look.

DevoNatural®

Tropical hardwood ages relatively quickly. If you want to preserve the original colour, it’s best to protect the wood after it has been cleaned thoroughly. Just like terraces in other materials, wooden terraces can become contaminated or susceptible to moss formation and such like. To clean weathered and contaminated wood thoroughly, it is best to use DevoNatural® Outdoor Wood Cleaner, whilst for removing dirt and grease there’s DevoNatural® Intensive Cleaner! DevoNatural® Outdoor Wood Cleaner is a cleaner for outdoor wood which is easy to use and has a preventive effect. It tackles all outdoor contamination ecologically. A treatment afterwards with DevoNatural® High Solid Oil is recommended to protect outdoor wood. DevoNatural® Outdoor Wood Cleaner can be applied to all wood and composite wood. It is easy to use: If necessary, sandpaper lightly first and/or scrub with a brush + black pad, then apply DevoNatural® Outdoor Wood Cleaner before applying DevoNatural® High Solid Oil to aged/weathered garden furniture, terrace planks, parquet, etc., or apply DevoNatural® Intensive Cleaner before applying parquet oil or oil renovation. After drying, treat with DevoNatural® High Solid Oil ‘Colour and Protection’ in just one coat of parquet oil!

Osmo

The right care extends the life of decking and provides higher durability; plus, it is really easy to do. For a quick scrub up, clean decking with a mixture of water and Osmo Decking Cleaner. If your garden deck is weathered and grey, Osmo Wood Reviver Power-Gel will restore it to its natural wood colour. To protect timber decking optimally, the wood specialists at Osmo recommend applying Osmo Decking-Oil. It has been formulated to meet the specific needs of countless fine and softwoods perfectly, smoothens the wood surface and makes it water and dirt repellent.

IN LOVE WITH DECKING

WOODEN FLOORS FOR OUTDOORS

LA SAN MARCO PROFILI SRL

Viale Europa 63 - 31010 Soligo, TV - Italy Tel. +39 0438 980106 r.a. - Fax +39 0438 980176 info@lasanmarcoprofili.com - www.lasanmarcoprofili.com