Replacing decking, thoughts on staining / oiling..

mark66 · 25 Jul 2018 at 13:10

Hi,

I am planning to replace our large and worn out decking next weekend. The decking I will be getting from the merchants is your typical pressure treated stuff which has a green tint to it. I would like the decking to appear as natural as possible, unlike the last one which was painted green. After reading this thread , it seems that oil gives better results than stains.

1, Will the green tint disappear once oiled?
2, Should I oil straight away or leave the decking to stand for a few weeks?
3, I am best using a brush for the oiling, or look into a a pad or sprayer?
4, Any other tips I should consider?

Many thanks

Mark

Kaka · 25 Jul 2018 at 14:47

If budget allows go for hardwood or composite.

If not, then use good quality decking oil (avoid stains) and apply with a block brush. It can be applied straightaway. Also remember to seal any end cuts.

mark66 · 25 Jul 2018 at 15:25

Yes, we would have liked Composite, however the price is 5 times that of wood with the merchant we are using. Even though we are receiving a very generous trade discount, it still makes it unaffordable for us.

As for the green tint, should this no longer be visible after the oil?

Kaka · 25 Jul 2018 at 18:57

Yes the green tint which is the preservative will disappear over time due to weathering and even if you didn't apply any decking oil.

Depending on the colour of oil you use, it will simply mask it until the wood is fully weathered.

brillcubes · 26 Jul 2018 at 08:20

I would go with oil.I made the mistake of using a stain and it flakes off in places and it just doesn't look as nice as oil

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 26 Jul 2018 at 08:36

If your happy with the limited colour choice i highly recommend the screwfix decking oil as its solvent based.

We used the top end cuprinol stuff before but its not got terrific staying power. Teh screwfix stuff you could really tell was solvent based, it soaked in waaay better.
Only minor issue is it forced out some of the sap, or should I say rejuvinated it, which shows how well it penetrated.

I use the solvent based wood treatment as well at my allotment and thats also very very good. Its possibly the same stuff just called a diff name as i wouldn't be able to tell the difference personally.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-timber-decking-oil-pine-5ltr/34098

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 26 Jul 2018 at 08:38

Oh and in regards how long to leave. we were told a couple of months
With this weather though a few weeks should get most of the remaining water out

200sols · 26 Jul 2018 at 09:47

Barretine decking oil is my choice.

Tinders · 26 Jul 2018 at 10:37

Liberon deck oil is brilliant imo, give it 2 coats this year. and it will give it a good base. You can get natural and other colours. I used Teak, I let mine go a little over the last 2-3 years, so I sanded it down and rollered it on, and it looks fantastic again. Pity the rest of the garden looks like **** at the mo lol.

robj20 · 26 Jul 2018 at 12:09

Creosote, still the best thing.

Abyss · 26 Jul 2018 at 21:09

I've just installed new decking and finished about 6 weeks ago. The decking is only just finishing drying out even with all this heat so I'd recommend against oiling too soon.

Apply oil too soon can lock in the moisture causing the wood to rot. I am waiting until end the of August or early September to oil mine.

Mercenary, thanks for the advice on the screwfix own brand I will definitely take a look at it.

mark66 · 4 Aug 2018 at 07:00

Hi all, sorry for the late response and many thanks for the advice. The Screwfix own brand stuff certainly gets very good reviews so I am sold on that as budget is limited. Just need to decide on colour now, options are Pine, Cedar, Oak or Clear.

We’re going to lay the replacement deck today and then plan to oil in a month or so to give it the best chance to dry out.

One question. Should I oil the parts which will be hard to get to today? Eg ends of the boards which will be butted up close to the house or along the the edges of the boards which will be laid upright and then covered by an overlap?

Cheers

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 4 Aug 2018 at 10:55

yes definitely oil all you can, but where you cut you ideally want to use end grain treatment
If you actually read the tin fully it says you should oil all the boards, including the bottoms, I don't know a single person who pulls all their boards to do this

Transam · 4 Aug 2018 at 15:33

The green will vanish after a while - don't treat it until then. OSMO oil is the best (and most expensive) - I do my deck once a year with it, and it still looks like new. It's coming up on 8 years old!

DampCat · 7 Aug 2018 at 16:45

Just installed a new deck last week, even in this heat it's not worth touching until the spring. You really want to make sure it's weathered for a few months before sealing it again. It'll be a bigger headache if you treat it before the old treatment has worn.

clubb699 · 11 Aug 2018 at 17:50

Kaka said:
If budget allows go for hardwood or composite.

If not, then use good quality decking oil (avoid stains) and apply with a block brush. It can be applied straightaway. Also remember to seal any end cuts.

Totally agree the amount of money I have waisted on paints that's flaked over time, with the trouble jet washing it to oil, I think I could have brought composite decking lol

Psycho Sonny · 11 Aug 2018 at 21:03

Go composite anything else is just a waste if time and money. Decking oil isn't cheap and needs constant re application especially in Scotland

Stu · 15 Aug 2018 at 12:10

Don't use stain... made that mistake at the last house, and had to re-apply every 6 months.

Hotwired · 15 Aug 2018 at 12:15

robj20 said:
Creosote, still the best thing.

Immortal railway sleepers :eek:

toprock · 15 Aug 2018 at 13:59

Barretine all in one, from Toolstation, clear or oak both look great depending on existing wood colour.

I've tried them all ronseal, cuprinol, sadolin, all peel, flake, green after a winter. Barretine does 2-3 years and still looks good, and then can be topped up without any sanding/cleaning faff.