3 easy ways to protect your decking during a heatwave
Worried about your outdoor decking in the heat? Here’s how to look after it properly
by Bethan Morgan · T3
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Over the past month or so, the UK has experienced some intense heatwaves. While keeping cool has been a top priority, so has taking care of your garden, as the high temperatures and bright sun can have damaging effects on your lawn, plants and decking.
My garden is full of plants – which I’ve been watering obsessively every morning to keep them happy and hydrated – but it’s also made up of wooden decking which is currently looking a little worse for wear. Whether it’s wooden or composite, decking can warp, shrink and splinter in the hot weather, and the surface can get excessively hot which can burn your feet and your pets’ paws.
To protect your decking from the next heatwave, here’s three ways to look after it, including when is the best time to make these improvements.
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P.S. If you have a grassy garden, check out these 3 tips for stopping your lawn turning brown in a heatwave.
1. Create temporary shade
Unfortunately, you can’t pick up your decking and put it inside, so an easy way to stop it from getting too hot or drying out is to create temporary shade. There are a few ways you can do this, but as long as you’re blocking your deck from direct sunlight, it should be well protected.
One way to create temporary shade is using a gazebo, awning or parasol. If you don’t have this type of outdoor structure, you can make it even simpler and cover your decking with an outdoor rug. Not only will this prevent your deck from warping, but it’ll also protect your feet by keeping the temperature down.
Another handy way is rearranging or strategically placing your plants. Plants and trees can easily shade your garden while also getting the sunlight that they need – make sure you water them at the right times to keep them happy, too.
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2. Apply a UV-blocking oil or stain
As mentioned, I have wooden decking at home and treating it has always been a task I’d rather avoid. But applying a UV-blocking treatment, like an oil or stain, can protect your decking from direct heat while also preventing drying and splintering – think of it as suncream for your deck!
Before you stain your decking with a UV blocker, make sure to treat it on a less hot day or in the early morning or late evening, ideally when the sun has gone down or hasn’t risen yet. This timing prevents the UV blocker from drying too quickly and leaving a film on top of your decking which does more harm than good.
3. Water your deck – yes, really
You’ve heard of watering your lawn, but have you heard of watering your deck? I hadn’t either, but it turns out you can cool your decking by giving it a quick rinse. Lightly spraying or misting your deck in the evening is most recommended and effective, as it cools the surface, prevents warping and expanding, and can wash away dirt and pollen after a long, hot day.