Softwood deck treatment

[Chicken Chaser]

So after going around all the options for composite, I've gone for a softwood deck again. I've picked the 150x38 boards as I wanted a wider finish, but after looking at our options for composite, I prefer the natural washed out look (not the dirty grey look)

I'm going to use Ronseal decking protector but wondered when it was best to apply? Should I wait for the green tanalith treatment to wear off first? Its going down this week so probably need to apply before winter for some protection. I've got Netrol deck cleaner if it gets dirty beforehand.

I always lay it smooth side up, had the last one down for about 5 years and cleaning it off with Netrol brought it up brilliantly. Ronseal protector did the job of putting some protection on it but I didnt do it for about 2 years from when it was first down. Just wondering if I can protect it a bit sooner and hopefully it'll keep looking good.

Edited by Chicken Chaser on Tuesday 30th June 23:34

[Wozy68]

I’ve just laid decking in my garden ..... the only part of it I protected was the supports underneath as they are into the soil.

Tantalised decking personally should be left as is.

[anonymous-user]

“ You need to let your decking weather for roughly six months to ensure the grain opens up and any pre-treatments have washed away.

You then need to clean the decking to remove dirt and dust. If you notice any mould or algae, use decking cleaner to remove it.”

From the ronseal site

[wolfracesonic]

Have a look at this if you’re going to leave it untreated for a while Seasonite

[KAgantua]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6c4Nupnup0

Schaeffers Deck Sealant...

[P155flaps]

What sort of softwood is it? Its it pressure treated or raw?

Only reason I ask is I am just replacing some 12 year old softwood (pressure treated crap) with some Siberian Larch which is raw softwood.

Last house we used Yellow Balau but its a large area at this house so board alone would have been £6k us so opted for that as it looks ok and untreated it lasts 50 years +. Green pressure treated is best left a few years to go less green.

I am just comparing decking Oils on the wood before its laid, Ronseal, Liberon and Barrentine just to see which I like best and if you but from Toolstation Barrentine £20 for 5l seems best bang per ££ in terms of look and protection.

[Chicken Chaser]

P155flaps said:

What sort of softwood is it? Its it pressure treated or raw?

Only reason I ask is I am just replacing some 12 year old softwood (pressure treated crap) with some Siberian Larch which is raw softwood.

Last house we used Yellow Balau but its a large area at this house so board alone would have been £6k us so opted for that as it looks ok and untreated it lasts 50 years +. Green pressure treated is best left a few years to go less green.

I am just comparing decking Oils on the wood before its laid, Ronseal, Liberon and Barrentine just to see which I like best and if you but from Toolstation Barrentine £20 for 5l seems best bang per ££ in terms of look and protection.

Where did you get your Larch from? I've had absolutely no luck in sourcing decking boards up here in North Yorkshire, everywhere is out of stock. I'm tempted to source Siberian Larch after seeing that its generally a much better quality product for not a great deal more.

[guindilias]

P155flaps said:

What sort of softwood is it? Its it pressure treated or raw?

Only reason I ask is I am just replacing some 12 year old softwood (pressure treated crap) with some Siberian Larch which is raw softwood.

Last house we used Yellow Balau but its a large area at this house so board alone would have been £6k us so opted for that as it looks ok and untreated it lasts 50 years +. Green pressure treated is best left a few years to go less green.

I am just comparing decking Oils on the wood before its laid, Ronseal, Liberon and Barrentine just to see which I like best and if you but from Toolstation Barrentine £20 for 5l seems best bang per ££ in terms of look and protection.

Osmo stuff just lasts and lasts and lasts - but is stupidly priced. It's all I've ever used but I ignore their brushes, pre treatment etc. Just the decking oil, UV or non UV protectant stuff, non slip or just the plain 007 oil seem fine to me - and I've done a couple of particularly huge decks with them. Easy to put on, and just wait a few days for it to soak in - it's one of the few overpriced treatments I've used that actually "does what it says on the tin".

[paulw123]

Just finished mine and want to stain it a darker colour, been told to leave it for 6 months then clean it and stain

[wolfracesonic]

^ Have a look at the Seasonite I linked to further up if you’re leaving the timber exposed over winter.