Should you restore or replace your timber deck?

From providing a space to enjoy your morning coffee to the perfect spot for a BBQ, there are plenty of perks to installing timber decking in your garden. But as with anything, after a certain amount of wear and tear, you might find your deck is in need of some TLC.

You will then be left with two options: do you restore your worn-out decking boards or take the whole thing down and start again? To make the decision easier, our timber experts have weighed up both sides.

Know When to Replace Your Timber Decking

Your first step to deciding whether you need to replace or restore your timber decking should be to assess the current condition. If the deck still seems sturdy and there is no sagging or widespread rot, you should be able to restore the deck. A few splintered boards or a little bit of damage here and there can be repaired.

If the structural integrity seems off though, it is time to take the timber apart and begin again on solid foundations.

Depending on the durability of the species of your deck, repairs or replacement will be more or less frequently required.  If you opt for our high-end tropical hardwoods such as Ipe or Cumaru, the deck will last for decades! A more budget-friendly option, for example a treated softwood, is more likely to need changing every few years.

How Do You Restore Timber Decking?

Understanding more about the capabilities of restoration should give you a better idea of whether it will work for your decking.

In general, timber decking restoration starts with repairing any damage. Any boards which are too worn to be restored should be replaced (a much simpler option than replacing the entire decking) and any problem areas should be addressed. For example, if you see that a few screws have become rusty or bent, remove them and insert new screws or replace the entire board if the timber itself has become damaged.

You will then sand down the entire decking to remove any pre-existing treatments or finishes, revealing a new layer of raw, natural timber beneath. This can then be treated and finished.

What Should You Do When the Foundations Are Damaged?

When your foundations are causing the problems, you do not necessarily have to replace the deck. Instead, carefully remove the decking boards, being sure not to damage them in the process. You can then repair the issues with the foundations, such as re-levelling the ground or removing rotten beams, before rebuilding using the same decking boards.

Keep the Foundations But Replace the Boards

Another option is to replace the decking boards but keep the below frame in place. If your foundations are still sturdy and there is nothing wrong with your joists, why throw them out? Instead you can remove the damaged boards above and replace them with new timber, ensuring that the replacement boards are compatible with the size of your existing frame.

Ask the Timber Experts

If your deck is in need of some TLC but you are not sure whether to restore or replace it, our team can help. We are experts in all things timber, including how to keep your decking looking fresh, and we would be more than happy to weigh in on your decision! Get in touch and tell us a little more about your situation (pictures are always useful) and we will give you our expert advice.