Learn how easy it is to apply hardwood deck finish.

Shielding your deck from the sun’s UV rays is a safe and cost-effective way to extend the life of your outdoor retreat.

Spring is FINALLY here. At Advantage, one way we can tell it’s getting warmer is the influx of calls we get  from customers and general deck owners like you who are looking for a fast and affordable way to finish their deck.

Do you need a way to liven up the color AND protect your hardwood deck from ultraviolet rays without having to apply coat after coat of chemical sealers? Simply follow this step-by-step guide and you’ll extend the life and beauty of your deck:

1. Sweep excess dirt, debris & leaves from your deck surface (make sure gaps are cleared).
2. Pre-rinse the surface with a garden hose.
3. Wait until the deck surface is completely dry (at least 24 hours in most areas).
4. Using a standard 3/8″ nap paint roller, apply a specially formulated deck oil finish for hardwood decking (like Ipe Oil™).
5. Rub in any excess or pooled liquid that remains after 5 minutes using a dry rag.
6. Let dry completely.

FOR BEST RESULTS: more…

Learn how to Prevent Problems and Future Decking Maintenance

The best way to prevent decking problems is to ensure that your deck was installed correctly in the first place.

Here are five crucial steps that will prolong the life of your deck:

1) Buy decking that is premium grade. When shopping for exotic hardwoods like ipe, it’s important to know the difference between premium/clear grade and common grade.

• Common/Select Grade – Contains sap wood and visible knots & worm holes. Common grade also can be poorly milled (called hit and miss planing). Common grade also has a huge color variance from very light blond to almost black wood.
• Premium/Clear – Best grade, period. All heart and no sapwood. Zero knots, or worm holes. Carefully milled material which highlights the well-blended colors with some boards showing their natural accents. more…

After such a brutal winter for many of us, deck maintenance is on the minds of many homeowners. We’ve had quite a few people who wanted to give their decks some much needed TLC already call us to ask, “How do I protect my wood deck?”

Protecting a hardwood deck is pretty easy, as long as you use more…

Introducing the best deck oil available, Ipe Oil!

Recently, the Ipe Clip® Company unveiled a new deck finish product called Ipe Oil™. This premium decking oil, finished hardwood decks made from durable, and some would say stubborn, hardwoods like ipe. Ipe Oil™ offers deck builders and homeowners who are installing an ipe deck with:

• Superior protection from both:
  • U.V. rays
  • Water
• A low VOC deck finish
• Coverage of approx. 300 sq. ft.
• Over 40% solids content
• A low odor decking oil
• Reduces the chances of deck boards cracking and warping
• Aids in keeping the hardwoods like ipe looking new

If you want to finish your hardwood deck using the best deck oil, contact us today to order. That’s right, Ipe Oil works with all exotic hardwoods  including Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa, Meranti, Brazilian Cherry, Massaranduba, Bangkirai, Red Balau, and many more!

UPDATE 6/27/2011: As you can see below, we are getting a lot of questions about Ipe Oil™. We’re happy to answer any question you might have. Tell us how this product has helped. We’d love to see BEFORE and AFTER pictures! Upload your newly oiled hardwood deck pictures here! The best pictures will be featured in our newsletter as well as our Featured Deck Projects section!