How To Restore Trex Decking

This gives the surface a chance to weather which provides better adhesion and even uptake of the stain without blotching. Most of the composites are going to fade over the coarse of a few years. If you really want a decking product that will last AZEK is probably your best choice. I also like the Timbertech encapsulated composite but have also heard of people having issues with the cut ends.

This one might throw you a little, but it’s important. If you apply too much sealer to the wood , wipe off the excess. We don’t think twice about wiping off excess stain when we stain interior wood, do the same if you over-apply sealer on exterior composite lumber.

Can You Stain Or Paint A Composite Deck?

This can happen in many ways but the most common is just the daily use of the deck. After a while, foot traffic on the deck wears off some of the plastic coating that surrounds and protects the wood particles in the composite material, exposing them to the environment. This is the cause of "white-spotting" as the sun fades the particles. It also gives mold and mildew an opening to root in the deck. How mold and mildew get a foothold is well understood. The plastic in the composite mix is compromised, and water gets past the protective plastic and into the wood flour. This means that special processes must be used in manufacturing and installing composite decks to account for this un-wood-like expansion and contraction.

The plastic used in most composite decking is polyethylene , a soft and not very tough plastic. It will fairly quickly wear away in normal use. As will the tougher plastics like PVC and polypropylene. So, even if the factory's binder creates a perfect seal, and that's not possible, that perfection is soon compromised in the normal course of using the deck. Keep in mind that all composite decking materials, including composites, are still largely experimental. Unlike wood – with which we have worked for about a million years and the characteristics of which we know very well – composites are a new and imperfectly understood material.

The Disadvantages Of Composite Decking

Woodrich Cleaner & Brightener For Wood Decks

Building code actually requires decks to support more snow than most roofs, so as long as your deck is properly constructed you need not worry. Don’t let rainwater runoff from your roof splash down on your composite decking. Make sure downspouts point elsewhere so the material doesn’t get excess exposure to moisture.

Semi-annual cleanings in the spring and fall will also help prevent mold growth. We all know that nothing lasts forever and this will be true with your deck as well. But if you catch things early, maintaining your deck’s appearance is pretty easy.

• I hate bleach because it kills plants and vegetation, and it’s terrible to work with.
• While it kills the mildew spores, it doesn’t necessarily remove them from the surface of the wood.
• This cleaner is specifically formulated for cleaning composite decking, including Trex.
• Instead, I recommend using DEFY Composite Deck Cleaner.

If it does, it will lighten the color of your Trex decking, so apply some on an inconspicuous area first to see if you like the look. Even small amounts of oxygen bleach can leave discolored spots on your composite deck; avoid using bleach products and try a different stain remover or make your own. It’s crucial to make sure that you rinse the deck thoroughly; if any dirty water is left on the surface it will dry and create a film on the composite deck boards. For our standard Mahogany decking, you can order "California Rustic" by the gallon which will give you a semi-transparent finish.

If you were going to use our DEFY Extreme Clear, we would recommend removing the Sherwin Williams product first. With that being said, solid color stains are difficult to remove. Unless you want to sand the deck down to bare wood, or use something like a paint stripper, you may want to stick with a solid color stain. The reason why mildew grows on composite decking is really pretty simple. Composite lumber is made up of a combination of both plastics and wood fiber/flour. The wood flour is a food source for the mildew to grow on and without some type of mildewcide to prevent its growth, it will flourish during times of higher temperatures and moisture. But the fix is pretty easy if you just follow a few steps.

When you apply too much deck sealer and it puddles on the surface and dries, it looks bad. Secondly, over time those spots are likely to flake and peel. Only apply as much deck sealer as the composite lumber can easily absorb.

How To Clean Rust Off Composite Decking

Not only are we manufacturers, we're contractors too. Our rule of thumb is avoid the “heat of the day” and direct overhead sunlight when working on your deck with any cleaning chemicals or coatings. Do your cleaning when the deck is cooler in the morning for best results! This makes Spring and early Fall one of the best times to clean your composite deck so check the weather forecast and wait for a cool, non-humid morning to start this project. Pour yourself a tall cup of coffee, put on some tunes and get started. Luckily for us all— advancements in deck building have made affording, installing and maintaining a deck easier than ever before! Contact the trex deck cleaning & maintenance experts at All Surface Restoration today to receive a free estimate at surface restoration.com/contact or call .

Expert Advice: How To Clean A Tile Roof; Slate, Concrete, Stucco

Here are some results from a Sherwin-Williams study of what happens to composite decking after 3 years of exposure. The dark gray and black spots are mold and mildew growing on the boards.