Sydney Goes Top Deck for Winter
As the temperature drops for winter, it seems more and more tempting to turn on the heater, keep warm under a big doona, and never leave the house. However, winter is the best time to make the most out of your outdoor entertainment areas, such as your patio or deck. With a few simple steps you can transform your deck so that it can be enjoyed even in the chilliest of nights.
Winter Deck: Keep It Clean
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – it’s vital to keep your deck clean, especially after autumn, when loose leaves will accumulate in the corners and in between the deck planks, which can decompose and cause damage to the deck. By sweeping with a broom and washing with a hose, you can reduce the amount of decaying matter and minimise any structural damage to the deck.
Winter Deck: Move Around
Move any outdoor furniture indoors for the time being and clean underneath. Planters and potted plants should be cleaned and moved as the moisture from the rain and air can cause moisture from planters to leech into the wood and stain it over the colder months. The best solution to this is to move the plants off the deck for this time.
Winter Deck: Refinish the finish
While there’s still a few warm sunny days available to us, you may want to strip the wood and refinish the deck. While it seems like a superfluous chore at first, preventing damage from wind, rain and generally harsh weather will save you time, money and effort in the future. After you’ve reapplied finish, apply a high-quality water-repellent seal in case of bouts of wet winter weather. Make sure you check out our post on maintaining your timber deck’s stain and finish.
Winter Deck: Welcome winter the right way
Installing a fire pit or brazier will be your saving grace this winter – it will heat up your deck and provide a perfect centrepiece for winter gatherings on the deck. If you’re not interested in permanent pyrotechnic solutions, stay warm with an outdoor heater instead.
Want to know more about our timber decking solutions? Give us a call or ask a question in the comments section below.