A Guide to Deck Restoration

The winter season can be harsh on outdoor home features like decking. After being exposed to the elements, your garden space may be in need of some TLC. Wood decking bears the brunt of frigid temperatures, heavy rain, and frost, and these conditions can easily lead to rot, cracking, and other frustrating damage.

With the spring months approaching, you could be facing the challenging task of restoring your deck to a spring and summer-ready state. We know that garden maintenance can feel overwhelming, but with a few simple steps, you can get your decking looking like new again. Keep reading to find our deck restoration tips.

Useful links

Before restoring your deck, check for water damage and replace warped boards before sanding the surface down to bare wood.
Remove old finishes with a decking stripper, sweep away debris, and scrub the boards using a deck cleaner.
Test the wood with a splash of water, then apply two even coats of stain to protect and finish the timber.

How to restore a deck

First things first, you need to give your decking a thorough check over. Identify any significant problem areas to understand what you’re dealing with. Water damage and wood rot are two of the most common issues faced after a cold and wet winter, so look out for these. You also need to make sure that the wood is not warped or twisted, as you’ll need to replace or repair any boards that have suffered from this.

If you’re looking at how to restore deck boards that have seen better days, the preparation phase is key. It’s ideal to remove any old varnish or paint from the timber as you’ll want to give yourself a blank canvas for your restoration project. To do this, use a power sander to sand down the wood evenly. Taking the time to do this properly means you’ll get a much better final result.

Once the repairs are done, it’s time to prep the surface. If you’re working out how to restore a painted deck, you could use a decking stripper after sanding, and this will save you a lot of time and hassle. A good quality product gets rid of any stubborn coatings and leaves the timber ready to be re-finished. To get rid of any leftover dirt and debris, use a broom to sweep the entire deck. Then use a pressure washer on a low setting to gently rinse any remaining dirt away.

Now that all of the debris should be taken care of and your deck has been stripped down, apply some deck cleaner, following the instructions of your chosen product carefully. Typically, it will need to be left to soak into the wood for 5-10 minutes.

Once the solution has soaked into your boards, use a stiff bristle brush to work it in. Focus your effort on the grooves and grains, making sure to remove embedded dirt. If you have a smaller brush, they’re really handy for getting into the tight areas between your boards and cleaning the edges and handrails.

Then, with a medium to high setting this time, rinse the cleaning solution off the boards with your pressure washer. Work up and down each board, going one at a time and following the grain of the wood. Give it some time so that it can dry thoroughly before moving on.

For more tips on cleaning your deck, check out our handy deck cleaning guide.

When the wood is dry, you can begin the final stage of restoring decking. You can either give it a new coat of the same colour to restore its former look or take the opportunity to try something new. A dedicated decking stain will give your decking plenty of protection as well as a fresh look.

Before you apply your chosen stain, pour some water onto your deck. If the wood absorbs it within ten seconds, it’s ready to be stained. Once you’ve applied your first coat, let it dry and then apply a second. All that scrubbing and cleaning you did to prepare will help to prevent your stain from bubbling or peeling, and you’ll get a nice even finish.

Can you restore composite decking?

Many of our customers ask us if the rules change for different materials, such as if you’ve got composite decking rather than wooden decking. In short, yes; the process is slightly different from natural timber.

If you want to know how to restore composite decking, the good news is that it requires less intensive labour as you don’t need to use a power sander on composite materials.

If you’re figuring out how to restore faded composite decking, start by clearing the area and sweeping away loose leaves.

You can then apply a specific composite decking restorer to lift tough stains, grease, and built-up grime. Work the cleaner into the surface with a soft-bristle brush to avoid scratching.

Finally, rinse the area down with a hose pipe or a pressure washer on a low setting. This routine will restore its original brightness and keep it looking great.

Whether you’re working out how to restore weathered deck spaces or just giving your garden a quick clean, a little effort goes a long way. A proper decking restoration protects your timber and creates a beautiful outdoor area. Take your time, prepare the surface well, and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.

Looking to freshen up your lawn too? Take a look at our lawnmowers buying guide.

FAQs

For a severely weathered deck, start by replacing any rotting timber. Then use a power sander to remove splintered wood, clean thoroughly with a strong decking restorer, and apply two coats of a highly protective stain.

You can use a wide brush, a specialised decking applicator pad, or a roller. A brush is often the best choice for working the stain deeply into the grooves and the grain of the wood.

While a pressure washer makes rinsing dirt and decking stripper much easier, you can still restore a deck using a standard garden hose with a spray nozzle and plenty of manual scrubbing.