| |
|
|
|
Deck Expectations Tropical hardwood decking products are among the best choices for exterior decking. Hardwood is generally more durable, more resistant to scratching, easier to clean, and more beautiful than alternative products such as treated softwood or composite decking. A tropical hardwood deck is NOT a piece of furniture. It will not hold its original color over time. It will not be perfectly stable. In an exterior environment, all types of wood will move as they take on and lose moisture. Wood will check when it dries out. It may even split, requiring the replacement of boards over time. To keep your tropical wood deck looking good, we recommend pressure washing or sanding, followed by an oil coating. A good quality oil finish will last one to two years. After that time, the decking will begin to gray out or silver. Cupping is also typical in hardwood decking. Especially in close to ground applications, and in applications where the hardwood is applied directly to another piece of wood for use as fascia. This is sometimes call wrapping. The problem with this installation technique is that the moisture will enter the piece during wet weather and then is only allowed to dry out from the side that is exposed to the air. The board will always cup in this situation. Anytime there is a difference in moisture content from one side of the board to the other cupping can occur. We have seen examples of 5/4x6 Ipe decking applied with a hidden fastening system with 12' of clearance under the deck (excellent ventilation), and still some minor cupping has occurred. See our installation guide for more information on how to apply your hardwood deck. Do not expect it to be perfect, but do expect it to look better than most softwood or composite decks. Brazilian Redwood Installation Guidelines Cambara Installation Guidelines Any
|
Here are a selection of photos to help our customers understand what their deck may look like over time. Graying out or silvering is typical with hardwood decking. Below is Brazilian Redwood shown after 4 months without any oil protection. We do not recommend this with any hardwood since they will check more if left untreated.
There are some things that can go wrong. It is critical that boards are not spaced too close together and that the boards have air flow. Boards will expand when they take on moisture. We recommend 1/4" spacing to prevent the deck from buckling when it takes on moisture. These boards were not spaced at all and they were installed directly on top of an existing deck with no air flow underneath.
Cupping is typical when 1x6 or 1x8 material is applied directly to a solid surface without ventilation. The best resoluton in this case is to use 1x4 or to cut relief grooves in the back of the fascia boards.
Here is a photo of a 2x6 Ipe handrail showing how much checking can occur. This is a normal occurence in hardwood handlrail. It can vary from piece to piece, but is impossible to predict which pieces will check prior to installation and weathering.
Below is an Ipe deck which was installed in 1999. It has been pressure washed and treated every year with Penofin oil. The first shot was taken prior to maintenance work being done (July 2004). Some checking and water staining is clearly evident.
This second shot of the same Ipe deck pictured above shows an area that has been pressure washed on the right and the unwashed section on the left.
The last shot of the same deck shows only a pressure washed area. Once the area dries out after a couple days, the deck will be retreated with an appropriate oil based finish.eloe
|
