How to improve weathered Pine timber deck?

Dani64

I have a large (26sqm) covered deck that receives very little rain on it (only when wind blows wrong way) unfortunately the previous owner installed the decking boards upside down. i am replacing the boards as they fail (see pic) but looking for ideas on cleaning and oiling (reading very mixed views on types of deck oil for treated pine) or covering with some sort of carpet/rubber tile or other medium, im open to ideas hence this post. Splintering is a big issue at the moment and treated pine splinters in your feet hurt, ALOT! I cant afford to replace with a hardwood so looking to the workshop brainstrust who may have encountered a similar problem, thank you in advance :)

MitchellMc

Hi @Dani64,

The good news is that treated Pine decking can be cleaned and oiled in much the same way as a hardwood deck. It will naturally have a different appearance due to being a lighter-coloured softwood, but a tinted decking oil can add colour and provide a more uniform finish.

I’d start by giving the deck a thorough scrub with https://www.bunnings.com.au/cabot-s-1l-deck-clean-1l_p1521451 and stiff-bristled broom. Once cleaned and allowed to dry, you can apply a decking oil such as Cabot’s Decking Oil in your preferred colour. Our Paint team in-store will often have samples showing what the different colours look like on treated Pine, which can help with your selection.

For the splintering, sand back any currently rough or damaged areas until they are smooth. Timber tends to become more prone to checking and splintering as it dries out, so keeping the deck maintained with regular cleaning and oiling, typically around once a year depending on exposure and condition, should help minimise this going forward.

Given that your deck is covered and receives very little rain, I’d certainly consider restoring and maintaining the existing timber before looking at covering it with carpet or rubber tiles.

Here's a helpful guide: How to oil your deck.

Let me tag a few of our members, @PujDD, @sharynritchie, @Dpatel and @Samg88, to see if they have any thoughts, as they have all been recently working on their own deck projects.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell