Prized for their beauty and strength, specialty woods like teak are often used for outdoor decking in luxury properties. How do you protect your specialty wood deck from the effects of exposure to the elements? According to Chris Putrimas, president of Los Angeles deck restoration company Dr. Teak, keeping your deck looking its best is a matter of preventing moisture and dirt from soaking into the wood grain. The best way to accomplish this, he says, is to use a high quality sealer.
What to Know About Specialty Wood Decks
Teak and its South American cousin, Ipe (pronounced “ee-pay”) are popular choices for outdoor living spaces in high-end residences and commercial properties. Like any hardwood, teak and Ipe are subject to the effects of weathering when exposed to the elements. “Moisture, dirt and sunlight,” Putrimas says, “are your wood deck’s worst enemies. Unless your deck is protected, you can expect it to become discolored over time.”
The weathering process, he says, starts when moisture gets into the wood grain. “In Los Angeles, that moisture is combined with construction dust, smog, exhaust and other pollutants,” he says. These pollutants, combined with the already damaging effects of moisture and sunlight, cause the wood to discolor and turn gray.
Reversing or Stopping the Weathering Process
If your specialty wood deck has already begun to gray, don’t worry – it can be brought back to its former state and then protected from further damage. To restore a discolored wood deck, Putrimas says, first it must be cleaned. “This cleaning requires a special solution and techniques,” he says, “to remove dirt and grime from the wood grain.” Once the deck has been cleaned, it will be sanded back to its original texture. Depending on the condition of the wood, multiple levels of sanding may be required. After sanding, a sealer will be applied to keep water and dirt from getting back into the wood.
If your specialty wood deck is new, Putrimas says, then sanding it and sealing it immediately after installation is a must. Sealing will block out moisture, dirt and mildew, and will prevent the deck from aging prematurely. According to Putrimas, some of the West Coast’s finest home builders and architectural firms choose Dr. Teak to treat their clients’ specialty wood decks and other outdoor surfaces. “We have 17 years of experience working with these beautiful products,” he says. “We understand what it takes to keep these specialty woods looking their best.”
Long-Term Maintenance
Your specialty wood deck can provide you with a lifetime of beauty, Putrimas says, but professional attention will be required every now and then to keep it looking its best. “The best way to protect your deck on an ongoing basis is to have a sealer applied at least annually,” he says, “and possibly even more frequently if your deck gets a lot of sunlight or moisture.”
In Los Angeles, Putrimas says, Dr. Teak is the obvious choice to restore or protect your specialty wood deck. “We have a highly trained, uniformed, licensed staff dedicated to serving the needs of our customers, whether residential or commercial,” he says. “We’re the local experts on teak and other specialty hardwoods.”