Decking

Planning a fence, or a deck, is one thing. Transferring these plans into reality can be another matter.

Timing is everything

Planning a new fence is often taken out of or hands by the weather - weeks of wet-weather followed by a big storm leaves many a garden exposed. Here at Southern Timber we can offer solutions off the shelf, with a choice of fence panel styles and sizes. Timing can be an issue, but our experienced staff can help - advice on the options of ready-made fencing panels or maybe a component fence featuring featheredge slats, round-top pales or square edge slats.

Nobody can plan precisely for the demise of an existing garden fence, but we do our best by keeping large stocks of fencing panels and posts. Fencing stocks are kept at our Newton Abbot base, conveniently located for Exeter, Plymouth and South Hams customers.       

I have just been looking at some of the new Millboard Cladding and Decking products. One of the questions we frequently get asked is, ‘what is Millboard Decking made from?’ That prompted me to revamp an article written several years ago. 

It might surprise you to know that our Millboard deckboards contain no timber or plastic. Millboard decking is made from a revolutionary Polyurethane resin, reinforced with mineral stone, and surfaced with a unique Lastane® coating.

Conventional composite boards typi

Before checking the available colours it may be worth remembering the efforts made to make the boards look so lifelike. Moulded from selected oak boards for a textured look and feel, the Millboard decking collection accurately recreates the subtle nuances of natural wood. But how does Millboard decking look so much like real wood?

Firstly, to replicate the wood-look, each board is moulded from specially selected oak “masters”, allowing the capture of the interesting grains, textures and patterns found in timber.  The boards are also hand-coloured at the Warwickshire factory to mimic the unique colours and tones found in every single piece of timber. The relevant grain patterns then help change the board colours to look lighter or darker depending on the viewer’s angle.

Like wood, no two Millboard decking boards are the same colour, with the subtle differences giving the most natural appearance. This is to give your decking all the good looks of a timber deck,

A new year and a new product, Deck Tape.

The objective of Deck Tape is to protect the integrity of your timber deck frame.  Your decking is only as good as the framework it sits on.  This deck tape is self-sealing but easy to tear when fitting. It is not a Butyl based product and is UV Stable. We are initially stocking 30 metre rolls of 65mm for single joists and 30 metre rolls of 100mm tape for double joists. 

Other products we will stock from the same manufacturer include black Clad Tape and orange Scrim Tape. 

How to clean Mold and Mildew off Composite Decking

The effects of mold are generally more serious than those of mildew. Mold damage structures and cause serious long-term health issues. Reactions include breathing issues, fatigue and migraines.

Furthermore, those with a mold allergy could experience sneezing, congestion and eye, skin and throat irritation. For this reason, its critical that you remove mold from your deck as soon as possible. While composite decking is resistant to many things, it is not impervious to mold and mildew. Luckily, removing mold from your deck is not difficult. Just follow these steps:

1. Pressure wash. Using a pressure washer, remove as much of the mold as you can.

2. Prepare a solution. Make a solution of vinegar and water with two-parts

Mildew and Mold and Composite Decking

Another common issue that composite deck owners face is the growth of mold and mildew. Mold and mildew are similar in many respects – they are both types of fungus that grow and thrive in humid, moist conditions where light is minimal or non-existent. They both start growing when their spores find a suitable environment for their colonies. Both require porous material, such as wood, paper, fabric, drywall, clothing, insulation, padding or carpet. While they generally do not grow on synthetic materials such as plastic, metals and composite decking, dirt left on composite decking can feed mold and mildew spores.

Mold and Mildew differ primarily in their appearance. Mildew tends to be grey or white, fuzzy or powdery in texture and is typically found on plant leaves, making the plants appear to be sick. As m

NewTechWood Composite Decking Aftercare

Caring for your composite decking

In recent years, composite decking has become extremely popular for its beauty, durability and low maintenance. People who choose composite decking as their material get to spend more time enjoying their decks and less time maintaining them. Although this decking material is considered low maintenance, it does occasionally require maintenance and cleaning. This guide will cover routine composite decking care, which includes sweeping it and scrubbing it with soap and water, as well as how to remove unwanted things like food stains, mould, rust and scratches.

What is composite decking made from?

Composite decking is a relatively new material, so it is understandable that many people are still unfamiliar with its composition. Learning about the materials that make up composite

Now that your Millboard is installed, make sure its stays in premium condition with our handy tips on aftercare.

Factory sealed

Millboard decking boards are surface sealed in the factory to ensure they arrive in premium condition. In the first few weeks of use, rainwater will sit on the surface in globules, but don’t worry – this is normal and will stop once the temporary surface seal breaks down.

Marking

The Lastane ® finish is resistant to food and drink stains and scratches, and everyday wear and tear. Sharp objects such as unprotected table or chair legs, spiked shoes, animal claws or metal planter bases can leave marks if dragged across the surface, so take care when moving these items around.

Winter Ice

Once your deck is built you want it to last as long as possible.

Keeping your WPC Decking clean is an important aspect in the after-care of decking, as well as keeping it free from organic matter which could potentially lead to the decay of the structure.

Once fitted, we do not recommend:

• Dragging furniture or plant pots across the decking
• Dropping heavy items onto the deck (such as large plant pots, trees, BBQs, furniture etc)
• Items with metal feet should have suitable material between them and the decking to avoid scratching or damaging the deck.
• Using corrosive or strong chemical treatments such as bleach

WPC composite decking is recommended to be cleaned at least twice a year, ideally in warm and dry weather conditions. This will prevent the build-up of dirt and organic matter from causing damage to the decking. Cleaning

Hardwood decking procedure

Anyone with a hardwood deck can follow pretty much the same advice. However because of the density of hardwood it is recommended to leave the boards for 3 to 6 months before treatment.

While we can’t stop the rain we can help slow down its effects.  Timber will absorb moisture from the surrounding air, meaning timber tends to expand when wet and shrink when dry. In the summer months this can lead to deck board cracking on the surface.  Applying decking oil on a regular basis will help inhibit the growth of algae. This should reduce the risk of slipping  and keeps the boards looking fresh.

We also stock Rustins Textured Decking Oil this can be applied on new or old decking, in areas which have become slippery.

How to Clean the Deck