Give Your Deck A Second Chance
The biggest advantage to resurfacing is the cost to savings. However, a resurface may not be possible if your deck’s substructure and framing has been compromised. It is not unusual for the top decking to receive the most wear and tear. It receives the brunt of the elements. If the walking surfaces of your deck are worn, but the foundation is still in good shape, you are a candidate for a resurface. You could simply replace the surfaces and deck railings for a completely new and appealing deck.
However, it is important to get an expert opinion. Have Ace of Decks inspect your substructure and foundation. Failing to do so could result in wasting thousands on a resurface only to have to rebuild again in a short period of time.
Inspecting Your Deck
Inspecting your deck is going to be the most important step when it comes to resurfacing. As well as letting the experts take a look at the deck, you can at the very least use the pointers below to determine what it takes for a resurfacing job.
- Footings. Determining if your structure is sound starts at the very bottom. Footings that are too shallow to start with often rise above grade when the deck warps over time. Warping often occurs with the drastic temperature changes experienced in Illinois.
- Wood Framing. Was your deck built with treated wood to start with? If so, it may still have years of life. If not, it is best to start over. However, whether your wood was treated or not, if it appears soft or can easily be penetrated with a screwdriver, it is best to start over. We will pay close attention to the wood posts and will probably dig down to inspect where the posts meet the footing.
- Structural Integrity. Your deck may appear sound. However, there are specific framing sizes and spans that must be followed to make the structure safe. This is one big reason most municipalities require homeowners to get a building permit before adding a deck. Especially if you inherited your deck and are unsure who originally installed it, you’ll want a professional to check its structural integrity. Once you’ve determined if a resurface is right for you, here are some of the benefits you will enjoy.
- Speed. Resurfacing can often be done in a matter of days. You will be able to enjoy your new outdoor space in no time.
- Flexibility. It’s true that a resurface limits you to using the existing lines of the substructure. However, there is still much flexibility. Our decking offers a variety of colors. Mix and contrast railings and walkways. Add a fire pit, hot tub, built-in seating, new planters or any number of creative ideas to create a space that looks completely different from the old one.
- Lower Costs. Resurfacing can literally save thousands. But, you’ll get the same beautiful finished product and curb-appeal.
Resurfacing vs Restoring
Resurfacing
Any structurally sound deck without decayed, warped or otherwise unsafe planks can normally be given an amazing makeover simply by laying modular wood tiles or structural porcelain pavers right over the top of the existing deck.
If the boards on your existing deck are looking a bit worn, but the foundation and deck framing system are sound, you can simply replace the walking surfaces and deck railings!
Restoring
Over time, your deck will wear down, splinter, or crack—even if you do all the right maintenance. But this doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune to install a new deck.
If you wanted to, you could restore your deck yourself. However, you should probably avoid this DIY job. Not only do you have to buy the deck restoration product and all the right tools, but the job also takes a lot of work. It’s a several day-long process, and it isn’t easy.
Resurfacing a Wood Deck
A beautifully resurfaced wood deck not only looks great and extends the life of the wood, but it also may help improve the real estate value of your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers. The complete resurfacing process for a wood deck may involve several individual steps, including:
- Inspection and repair
- Cleaning
- Power washing
- Sanding
- Staining/sealing
Not all resurfacing projects will include all steps. For example, deck surfaces do not always need to be sanded, and some decks are simply sealed and are not colored with stain. In most cases, however, the stain itself is the sealer, and it includes some pigment to even out the wood’s coloring and provides additional protection against sun damage.
In any case, a professional-looking deck resurfacing job can be done in a weekend or two and will transform a drab, tired old wood deck into a vibrant beautiful entertainment area ready for a celebration barbecue.
Upgrade Your Deck To Composite
Why Replace Your Wood Deck with Composite Deck Boards? Here are a few reasons to do so.
- Scratch-resistance: Composite boards are a mix of organic material–like wood or bamboo–and plastics evenly blended together. They come in a variety of colors, so they don’t need stain, and because this color is part of the board it doesn’t scratch the way wooden boards do. While a scratch on wood breaks through the stain to the bare wood, on a composite board scratches are much harder to notice, and if necessary, can be blended back in with a heat gun.
- Slip-resistant: Older composite boards had a reputation for being slippery, but quality modern composite decking boards are slip resistant because of their rubber-like resin coating, called a cap.
- UV-Resistance: The coating on fully capped boards also helps them resist UV light and fading better than traditional wooden boards.
- Moisture-resistant: Finally, composite boards are denser than their wooden counterparts for greater moisture resistance (the capping also helps with moisture resistance), and if the composite’s organic component is bamboo instead of wood then there are even fewer channels for moisture to make its way through the board.
Stain Stripping
If the stain on your deck is weathered and peeling, the first step in renewing your deck is to remove all the stain. Solid-color stains protect wood decks and look great when new, but even the best solid color deck stain eventually flakes and wears away. At that point, they need to be scraped and stripped off before the deck can be recoated. In this article we’ll walk you through staining a previously stained deck.
Conclusion
Talk to the experts at Ace of Decks LLC to determine what the best option would be for you. Our team has been transforming outdoor living spaces in Illinois for quite some time. We understand what is needed to build a durable, long-lasting structure that is able to withstand the harsh climate in our area. Contact us now!
Deck Resurfacing
Give Your Deck A Second Chance
INSPECTING YOUR DECK
RESURFACING VS RESTORING
RESURFACING A WOOD DECK
UPGRADE YOUR DECK TO COMPOSITE
STAIN STRIPPING