Quality teak decking can serve decades when properly maintained or it can be ruined in one year.

Teak Deck Care

Proper caring has been discussed in the Net many times, but as in other subjects there are opinions that may guide you to wrong direction.

First thing to remember, is the fact that teak is actually very sensitive natural material. It is used on decks because of excellent properties. But natural growing (this we all remember from school) generates softer and harder sections in trees, year rings, also called grain in lumber. Softer section on teak deck planking of course wears away easier and faster than harder section. This is why you should never scrub deck with hard bristle brush, and absolutely never brush with grain, as this will eat out the softer wood very quickly.

Best way to clean your teak deck is regular rinse with clean salt water, do not spray deck with high pressure. If washing is needed use soap, like Joy with cotton mop and rinse well with salt water. If you have to scrub, do it across the grain with 3M Doodlebug, or similar, but don't scrub too much as top layer of wood cells are removed with dirt. Remember that what goes away, is gone, the wood on your deck will not come back

Avoid all chemical teak restoring stuff, some of these attack caulking materials and every time teak is restored, wood is taken as these will remove top layers of wood cells.

Don't oil teak decking, again some caulking materials may turn to goo. Oil will also hold dirt and oily dirt doesn't wash off, but stays on teak.

More details coming soon!