deckcity.ca
buildmemories@deckcity.ca
A new deck, whether
it’s pressure treated
wood or natural cedar,
should be cleaned with
a deck cleaner. It is
best not to use bleach,
which breaks down
finishes faster.
Parade of Homes Fall 2016 3
Wooden decks have changed
over the past few years and what has
changed most is the way decks are designed.
The square, one-level addition
to the back of the house has morphed
in to lovely curves, multi levels and
Zen-like bridges over water or dry
river stone features.
Polished wooden decks, flush with
the ground, are forming floors outside
garden doors and beside pools, replacing
paving stones. They are being used
to extend living space to the outdoors
by people who like the ability to keep
a “floor” clean and polished and who
enjoy the warmth of wood on bare
feet.
Often, the deck will include a gazebo
feature that may or may not be enclosed.
Frequently, decks include a hot
tub that might also be enclosed in an
open gazebo.
Decks can be built around tree
trunks, using the tree canopy as a natural
roof. Other designers take advantage
of the beauty of the wood, laying
it down in geometrical patterns and
emphasizing the wood grains.
An air of classical elegance can be
added by using pillars to hold up a
pergola over the deck.
Nor does the deck have to be
attached to the house. If you have
a wonderful view from some point
in the garden or on your property, a
raised deck can enhance this advantage
while providing a ‘room’ separated
from the usual traffic patterns.
Decks are built surrounding swimming
pools, replacing the old concrete
margins with a warm and inviting
look that also saves burning bare feet
on hot paving in the sun. They can be
built right over the concrete, avoiding
the issue of having to jackhammer it
out and dispose of the old materials.
Decking products are even being
used on condo balconies to create
a warmer, homier feel in these few
square feet of living space.
Maintenance
Wood’s beauty is also it vulnerability.
It needs to be cleaned and treated and
kept maintained. A new deck, whether
its pressure treated wood or natural
cedar, should be cleaned with a deck
cleaner. It is best not to use bleach,
which breaks down finishes faster.
Make sure the wood has a couple of
sunny days to dry in before doing any
finishing.
Apply a finishing application before
it becomes too hot or streaking may
occur. On an extremely hot day, the
finish may even fail so work in the
morning or later in the evening.