Like cherry and walnut genuine wood, composite decking has a comparable appearance. It is robust and resilient, looks fantastic, and lasts a long period. These days, it’s more usual than using solid wood decking. It has been preferred in many homes since its inception since it is robust, dense, and bug-free.
Like with wood, the composite decking material does not scratch readily either. Still, scuffs and scratches are always possible. It requires some protection since it is outside facing sun, rain, and other hostile conditions. Many people have most likely struggled with scratches in their decks. The deck is outside, hence you might have to be especially careful to avoid scratches. How then could we avoid composite decking boards from being scratched?
Advice on avoiding decking scrapes
Stopping scratches on composite decking calls for both preventative steps and protection devices. Your composite decking’s lifetime and attractiveness will be preserved by following these guidelines in your regular maintenance. Let us then review several pointers and techniques to stop scratches on composite decking.
Use furniture foot pads
Appropriate deck furniture is quite important if you like to make your outdoor deck more pleasant. Although heavier furniture or furniture with metal feet is more prone to harm composite decking surfaces, it is advisable to use furniture foot protectors to guard your furniture.
The industry offers several kinds of furniture foot pads including plastic, rubber, and foam. More suited for outdoor use, rubber and plastic pads do not absorb water. Using furniture foot pads can let you relax on your deck in the sun without worrying about damage to your composite decking planks.
Regular maintenance on composite decks
Composite decking is outside, hence over time rocks, twigs, leaves, and other trash can accumulate on the surface of the deck and increase its scratch susceptibility. Should a sharp rock catch beneath your outdoor furniture during movement, it could harm the deck surface. The best course of action, if you wish to avoid leaving these scratches, is regular cleaning and sweeping of the composite decking.
Scoop leaves using a brush or a small broom. People won’t scratch them when they walk on top of the deck once they are hauled away. You can wash your composite decking with soapy water as the seasons and weather vary to get any debris, dust, or pollen that gathers on the deck.
This will provide the composite decking surface with fresh appeal. Make sure you carefully brush some areas to avoid them becoming dusty. Clean your composite decking with low pressure; even if you use a power washer, never exceed 2,500 PSI. One should ideally utilize a standard garden hose.
Outdoor carpeting
Should frequent washing and chair coverings not seem like the best approach, you might choose to consider an outdoor rug. On the market are a lot of various kinds of outdoor rugs. They all help your outdoor seating area look fantastic and guard your composite decking boards from damage. Most outdoor rugs include non-slip pads that stop them from moving about on your deck, so you shouldn’t worry about slipping.
One excellent approach to preserving your composite decking safe and enhancing the appearance of your patio is laying outside rugs. Usually covering a big area, they let you arrange your furniture across the whole width of the deck without any issues. We believe this to be one of the best choices if you wish your furniture not to scratch composite decking.
Clear snow
Your outdoor deck can get covered in dense snowfall when winter arrives. We must eliminate the accumulation from the surface of the composite decking if we are to operate as intended. Choose a softer plastic shovel instead of metal shovels with sharp points that can harm the surface of your deck.
How can one remove composite decking scratches?
Daily use, children, and life’s ups and downs can scratch the composite decking surface no matter how hard you try. We can repair scratches on the composite decking surface using the following techniques should composite decking boards show scratches.
handling composite decking material’s scrapes
Usually, surface scratches on the decking surface can be sufficiently repaired with fine sandpaper (60 grit). Running sandpaper over a tiny piece of wood will help you to determine the required pressure before fixing scratches. Sandpaper should only be run along the length of the deck, never across.
Any sandy region will first seem smaller. Remember, though, that as it naturally weathers, the lighter portions will mix in more harmony with the remainder of the surface. Scribes will then be less obvious.
treating capped composite decking’s scratches
Sanding the capped composite decking with 180-grit sandpaper can help you to smooth the scratched edges. Test with a new item first to ascertain the appropriate pressure level. Once more, we advise running pressure along the decking board length. Deeper scrapes can be healed with a heat gun; but, be cautious not to hold it too near or get it too hot, since irreversible harm could follow.
Holding the heat gun no more than three inches from the surface of the deck, set it to 450 degrees Celsius. Move it gently back and forth, taking caution not to concentrate the heat in a tiny spot that could compromise the deck. Should the heat cause the material to bubble, lightly smooth the bubbles with sandpaper once the material has solidified. This will smooth out the deck.