Decking through the seasons: how to keep it looking good

Planning a new deck and wondering what it will look like in five or ten years? Every deck changes with the seasons, there is no way around it. With the right wood and a little care, it still stays good looking for many years. Here is what to look out for.

Why does wood change colour?

All wood changes colour when it is exposed to sun and rain. UV light breaks down the natural pigments in the wood, and moisture speeds that up. It happens to every species, including our hardwood decking.

The good news: a change of colour is not a loss of quality. The wood stays just as strong and durable, only the colour changes, usually to a silver grey patina. Plenty of our customers prefer that look.

Ipe: why it is the only decking wood we sell

Ipe decking boards are durability class 1 and last 25+ years, also without maintenance. Ipe is very dense and stable, so you will hardly see cracks or warping. Its warm brown colour turns silver grey slowly, much more slowly than softwoods such as Douglas fir or larch, which are durability class 3 and grey faster.

Your deck through the seasons

In spring you see what winter left behind: dirt and dark patches where snow and leaves lay. Summer brings the most UV, so that is when the colour changes fastest. In autumn, wet leaves keep the boards damp, and shady corners can turn green.

With Ipe, none of this affects the quality of the wood. It stays strong and stable whatever the weather. The main thing is not to leave leaves and dirt lying for long.

Keep the colour or let it grey?

You have two options. To keep the warm brown colour for as long as possible, oil your deck once or twice a year, ideally in spring and autumn. Think of it as wax on a car or sun cream on your skin: dirt and water run off, and the wood stays more stable, with fewer fine cracks after a very hot or very wet spell.

If you let the wood grey, you do not have to do anything. The silver patina looks natural, and Ipe stays just as strong, durable and splinter free. Read more in our hardwood decking maintenance guide.

Practical tips for many years of use

Sweep leaves and dirt away regularly so that moisture does not sit on the boards. Give the deck a thorough clean at least once a year with water and a soft brush.

Do not use a pressure washer. The hard jet roughens the surface. A garden hose and a brush are all you need. Also make sure there is enough air under the deck, so the frame dries quickly after rain.

Advice from Hardwood Discount

Not sure which option suits your deck? Message us on WhatsApp and we will gladly help.

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