Should Composite Decking Be Sealed?
Generally, composite decking boards do not require sealing because one of their main benefits is low maintenance. Unlike traditional wood decks, composite decking materials are stain, fade, and moisture resistant, eliminating the need for regular sealing or staining. However, some homeowners choose to apply a protective sealer to enhance the color and provide additional stain protection.
If you decide to seal composite decking, it’s critical to use a product designed specifically for composite materials. This is because traditional wood sealers may not adhere well to composite decking boards. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and guidelines, as unnecessary sealing may affect the performance and warranty of some composite decking products.
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Table of Contents
What Are Composite Decking Materials？
Before answering this question, we should understand what composite decking is and some of its advantages. Today’s popular composite decks are often composed of a combination of wood fibers and recycled plastic. As a result, composite decking materials have some of the advantages of plastic and wood.
Composite decking materials provide numerous advantages over conventional wood decks. One advantage of composite decking is its low maintenance requirements. Composite decking requires little maintenance to maintain its wonderful looks. All you need to do is clean composite decking regularly every year to keep it looking great and in good condition.
It is not necessary to seal composite decking in order to preserve its lovely appearance over time. If you’d like, you can decide to seal your composite decking. It is important to remember that sealing a composite deck will not extend its life. Additionally, after you start sealing your composite deck, you will need to do regular sealing work on it.
Why It’s a Good Idea to Seal Composite Decks?
Sealing a wood deck is a smart option for several reasons. Even outdoor deck surfaces can be improved with this technique. If you seal your wood deck, you’ll save time because you won’t need to clean it as frequently. As a result, some of the issues that arise from mold growth and stains can also be avoided.
Applying a sealer to composite decking is also a smart move as it enhances the color’s vibrancy. because they are exposed to environmental deterioration and are constantly in the sun. Over time, composite decks could slightly fade. Composite decks that have faded can be restored to their former glory by using a sealant.
Negative Aspects of Sealer Use
Sealing composite wood decks is not required, according to the majority of composite material manufacturers. Composite material sealing has numerous benefits, but there are drawbacks as well. The guarantee may no longer apply to composite decking if a sealer is applied, and maintenance costs will increase.
Indeed, it makes cleaning decks outside easier. However, to maintain the deck’s appearance after cleaning, you’ll need to reseal it frequently. You’ll need to spend extra time cleaning the deck as a result of this. Nevertheless, it will increase the cost of maintenance significantly.
How to Seal Composite Decking?
We can follow the steps below to perform cleaning and sealing work on composite decking.
Cleaning Composite Decking
Before performing a sealing job on your composite decking, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned. First of all, remove the couches, tables, and other furniture from the deck. Then start cleaning the decking for mold, dirt, or spots. It is recommended to use a power washer to clean composite decking boards instead of just using a yard hose and brush.
Using a power washer is not only cleaner, but it also cleans faster. Don’t forget that once the job is done, anything that wasn’t removed during cleaning won’t be removed. So take your time and clean the deck.
Composite decking has excellent resistance to mold and rot. So why are they for having mold growth? This is because composite decking boards don’t want moisture, mold, and rot like wood decks do. However, the leaves and other organic matter that build up on the surface of the deck in everyday life can cause mold and rot. Therefore, we need to completely remove these molds from the surface of the composite decking.
Use “safe” Cleaners
Choosing the right cleaner at the beginning will make the cleaning process smoother. Be careful not to use chlorine bleach. This is because it may not only damage the surface of the deck but also kill plants and flowers near the deck.
You can purchase specialized composite decking cleaners at your nearby construction store. You can also ask the composite decking company which type of cleaner they use. Typically, we should use an oxygenated bleach. This composite decking board cleaner is specifically designed to clean Trex, EVODEK, and other brands of composite decking. Oxygenated bleach won’t harm plants or other living things, and it does a great job of removing mold and mildew spots from your deck so that they don’t become food for mold to grow on.
Seal the Deck
After the surface of the composite decking is cleaned, it needs to be dried. After the deck is thoroughly dry, we can work on sealing it. If sealing or coloring composite decking is done correctly, it may last for years before it needs to be cleaned again. If you decide not to seal the composite decking, it will most likely need to be cleaned once a year.
Choosing the Right Composite Decking Stain
Your satisfaction with your finished project will depend on the sealer you choose. There are a few things you need to keep in mind when choosing a product.
First, you need a water-based sealer rather than a liquid sealer. In addition to being easy to work with, there are two major benefits to choosing a water-based product. Many water-based products are clear and won’t change the color of the wood, but solvent-based products (also known as alkyd resins) often leave the surface of the wood looking brown. The alkyds in solvent-based products also harbor mold, mildew, and algae, which is what you want to remove.
Some water-based products (but not all) use synthetic resins that are not conducive to mold growth. Finally, it is very helpful to choose a product that contains zinc nanoparticles. Mold cannot grow when zinc is present because zinc naturally prevents mold growth.
Follow the Instructions for Use
Before using the product in question, make sure you read the usage says carefully. The back of the product’s jar will tell you all about the product. Strictly following the product’s instructions will help you complete your project better.
The instructions for use will tell you about any aspect of the product that may change the outcome of the job. How many coats do you need to apply? What is the drying time? How long will it take between coats? Reading the back of the can can teach you a lot. For this reason, it is important to follow the directions for use to the letter.
Brushing Is Important
Whether you are rolling or spraying the sealer, you must brush it on. If it was rolled on first, all you have to do now is brush it again while it is still wet. The same goes for spraying. But why go to all this trouble?
The reason is easy to understand. When you brush on the sealer, it scratches the surface, which breaks the surface tension of the deck surface and allows the sealer to enter the pores of the wood. If you can get the deck to absorb more sealer, your project will last longer. Brushing is the most common method of sealing decks because it works so well and is fast.
Remove the Excess
You might be surprised by this, but it’s important. If there is too much sealer on the wood (more than the wood can absorb), you should wipe off the excess oil. When we are staining interior wood, we don’t hesitate to wipe off the excess color.
You should do the same if you have applied too much sealer to composite decking boards outdoors. The reasons are easy to understand, starting with aesthetics.
If too much deck sealer is applied, it accumulates on the surface of the deck, creating puddles as well. When this sealant dries, it leaves shiny spots. Secondly, over time, these spots may flake off. Limit the amount of deck sealer to the amount that can be easily absorbed by composite decking boards.
Wait for the Deck to Dry
At this point, the job of sealing composite decking boards is over. If you take your time and follow these steps, the project will look great. All you need to do now is wait for the composite decking boards to dry.
Put the furniture outside and leave the dog in the house to give the sealant time to fully cure. Once the sealant is completely dry, you can move the decking furniture back in. Then, you can enjoy your outdoor life.
Summary
Nothing in the world ever breaks, and composite decking is no exception. Keeping your deck looking good is easy if you catch the problem early. When you notice that the mold has reappeared, simply clean the surface of the deck with composite decking board cleaner and a brush, then hose it off and let it dry.
You can also reseal your composite decking boards by following the steps above if it has been used for many years, and with a little bit of care, you can still have a beautiful deck on which to enjoy and entertain.
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