Durable deck solutions

Building a new deck with the right materials from the start avoids common problems. How To Channel host Luke Van Dyck who runs Sydney building company LVD Industries says, ‘Using properly weatherproofed building materials prevents rotting timber and rusting

fasteners, which affect the safety and durability of a deck.’

 

Protect the surface from general wear and tear, and potential damage caused by rain and ultraviolet rays, by applying a finish. To maintain it, clean the deck regularly and reapply the finish once a year.

 

Use fasteners with corrosion-resistant coating to suit the climate. Choose galvanised fasteners for dry, rural and urban environments more than a kilometre from the sea and, if using them with treated pine, consider buying fasteners with a special coating such as products coated with Climacoat or TufCote to protect against corrosion from chemicals in the timber.

 

In coastal areas use fixings of austenitic stainless steel. For mild coastal environments, 302 or 304 grade steel is recommended. Use

316 grade stainless steel for more extreme marine exposure.

 

It’s inevitable that a structure exposed to the elements will deteriorate over time, but resolve issues as soon as you spot them to maintain durability.

 

Luke says, ‘Do a general check and maintenance once a year, looking for mould, discolouring or soft spots in the timber and signs of ants or termites. I look over my deck before summer so it’s ready for entertaining during the holidays. I wait until the spring rains have stopped and it’s not too hot to work on it.’