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.

2) Use an  end sealer prior to installation. This is a critical part of decking installation and will help prevent future problems. Learn more about end grain sealer.

3) Apply deck oil. Choosing the right deck oil finish for ipe or any other hardwood decking will be prevent many problems including warping, checking, splits, and cracks.

4) Use a deck fastening system. Using hidden deck fasteners not only make your deck surface more attractive, but they also allow your new deck to expand and contract throughout the course of its life without much impediment.

5) Properly straighten bowed deck boards. Installing bowed boards, or forcing them in with flimsy tools and methods might save you some install time, but in the long run, you might also be decreasing the overall structural integrity and look of your deck. Nothing is a bigger pain that having to repair boards that get loose from the joist. Using deck tools like the Hardwood Wrench® will save you the headaches (and backaches) of having to make future repairs.

6) Don’t rush. When you take care in the installation process, you’ll find that you:

• Get more enjoyment out of installing wood decking
• End up with a stronger, and better looking deck
• Gain years of personal enjoyment out of using it

If you breeze through any of these steps, or skip one of them, you might end up having to put more time and work into maintaining your deck. Ultimately,these decking products will greatly enhance the look and performance of your future deck. If you have any other questions, or would like to speak to a professional, contact us:

There are many reasons why ipe decking should be your first choice for your new family deck.

An ipe deck can be enjoyed all year round.

• An ipe deck is so hard and compact that it doesn’t splinter
• Ipe requires no maintenance
• Unlike pressure treated decking that has been infused with chemicals that can leech into your yard, ipe wood is all natural
• A deck made of ipe hardwood will increase the value of your home
• Ipe is versatile and can be the centerpiece of your outdoor living space for decades

These facts are proven by the fact that families all across the country have chosen to build their deck with ipe. If you’d like to see how this wood decking is being used, check out this article on this Cole Valley family that just finished their outdoor living area. Designed by Janet Moyer Landscaping in San Francisco, that family’s deck will provide lasting memories and wonderful times all year round. Her website has many examples of the how ipe can be used for your outdoor living area.

If you’re looking for the perfect decking material to use for your deck, patio, or covered porch, contact us today.

Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) is one of the most dense hardwood materials available today, it is so dense that it actually sinks when placed in water. This makes Ipe the absolute best choice for your outdoor projects like decking and patio furniture.

Because Ipe is so dense and hard it’s naturally resistant to mold, mildew and termites. It also does not contain any knots and does not splinter which makes it an excellent surface to walk on. All these excellent features make ipe decking the only decking material that can last 40 years or more with no maintenance, no pressure washing, and no chemicals applied to the ipe.