Our Top Maintenance Tips for Beautiful Triangle Decks

Here at Structurally Speaking, we build beautiful custom decks to perfectly suit your family’s needs. With a little deck maintenance, homeowners can make their Triangle decks last longer. Luckily, annual deck maintenance doesn’t have to be hard. Both wood decks and composite decks are fairly easy to maintain.

Decking Material and Maintenance Requirements

Two common decking materials are pressure-treated wood (typically pine) and composite. Some homeowners also like to consider exotic hardwoods, redwoods/cedar, and pvc vinyl. All decking materials have pros and cons when it comes to maintenance.

Pine is an extremely common option because it is less expensive. However, keep in mind that this material requires more upkeep over time, so it may not be the least expensive option in the end. Pine will fade to a gray look over time and needs to be repainted or restained every few years. This type of wood is susceptible to splitting and splintering if not maintained.

Exotic hardwoods give you beautiful, rich colors. These are extremely hard, which makes it more difficult to replace individual boards when needed. The good news, though, is that you won’t need to replace boards often. These types of woods resist rot and insect damage. You’ll still need to paint/stain occasionally if you want to maintain a certain color, but not as often as with pine. Redwood and cedar are similar, though these are softer woods that may need extra care in areas of high foot traffic.

Composite is a decking material we recommend if you want as little maintenance as possible while still maintaining the look of wood. This product is made with a combination of plastic and wood fibers. It doesn’t splinter or rot easily, and you don’t have to paint or stain it. PVC vinyl is also a low maintenance option, but unfortunately doesn’t give you the look of wood. However, many homeowners love this material for railing.

Spring Cleaning for Your Deck

No matter what type of decking material you choose, all Triangle decks need a little spring cleaning. This is a great time of year to give your deck a quick visual inspection and call us if any repairs are needed.

You’ll also want to wash off your deck to remove any dirt and grime that has built up during the winter. Pressure washing will really make your deck shine. If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can also use a scrub brush and regular hose. Remove any loose debris like leaves first so you don’t scratch your deck. Remember to use cleaning products specifically made for decks, so it helps resist mold and mildew.

If you are going to use a pressure washer, make sure you are constantly moving the nozzle. Especially with pine, pressure washers can cause gouges in the wood if you stay on one spot too long.

After you clean your deck and allow it to dry, it is a great time to apply a coat of sealant. We can recommend a product that works with your specific deck material. Both wood decks and composite decks benefit from a coat of sealant.

Maintenance Throughout the Season for Triangle Decks

Over the spring, summer, and fall, a bit of quick maintenance can help your deck stay in great shape. We recommend sweeping away any debris that collects. If puddles collect in any area, you can sweep them away. Keep plants trimmed back so they are not settling against your deck, and make sure birds and other critters are not building nests, especially if your deck has a pergola.

In general, deck maintenance is pretty easy. The most difficult type of deck to maintain is a hot tub deck, because you have to ensure the hot tub water chemistry is correct, as well as drain the water and scrub the hot tub regularly. That said, many homeowners find the maintenance worth the reward of being able to soak in their own private hot tub whenever they want!

FAQs About Deck Contractors

If you don’t currently have a deck, we can help! Here at Structurally speaking we build custom decks to match your home and lifestyle. We’ll take maintenance into consideration when helping you select the design and materials for your deck. Here are some other frequently asked questions about working with deck builders:

Who are the best deck builders in my area?

We might be a bit too biased to answer this question! However, what we will say is that the best deck builders in any area will take your needs into consideration and design a deck just for you. Our owner, Jim, does a free consultation with every client to ensure that he creates the perfect deck for you. You deserve more than just a cookie-cutter wood platform. With custom Triangle decks, your backyard can truly be an oasis that you want to use every day.

What if I’m not happy with my deck?

When you work with Structurally Speaking, we’re not happy until you are. Our building team can perfectly translate the design from paper to real life. Jim oversees the process every step of the way, so there are no surprises. What you see in the design presentation is what you get, period. Of course, if you are not 100% in love with the design, we can make changes. We won’t start building until you are happy with the deck design

Do you have more questions about building a custom deck? Contact us today! We’d love to help you build the deck of your dreams.