Timber Deck Restoration in the Inner West: A Greyed Balcony Deck Brought Back
AKD Painting restored a weathered timber balcony deck in the Inner West: boards that had greyed and dried out were cleaned back and re-oiled to a warm, even finish. The before and after photos below are the same deck.
Project snapshot
- Location: Inner West Sydney NSW
- Deck: upper-level timber balcony deck with a glass balustrade
- Scope: boards cleaned back to sound timber and re-oiled, edges and board ends included
- Warranty: 5-year written workmanship warranty
What sun and rain do to an exposed deck
An upper-level deck with no cover takes full sun and every shower. The oil burns off the surface first, the timber goes grey, and once the boards dry out they start to check and lift. Coating over grey timber does not work: the new finish sits on dead fibre and peels within a season. The grey has to come off first.
Cleaned back, then oiled
The boards were taken back to clean, sound timber, including the edges and ends where water gets in, then oiled in thin coats so the finish soaks in rather than sitting on top. A penetrating oil can be topped up in a couple of years without stripping, which suits a deck that lives in the weather. Our guide to deck and fence painting in the Inner West covers oil versus stain versus paint, and our exterior painting page covers the rest of the outside of the house.
Questions about deck restoration
Can a grey, weathered deck be restored or does it need replacing?
If the boards are structurally sound, a grey deck can almost always be restored. The weathered surface is removed, the timber is cleaned, and a new finish is applied.
Is oil or paint better for an exposed deck?
For a deck in full weather we usually recommend a penetrating oil. It does not peel, and it can be refreshed without stripping. Paint and film-forming stains suit covered or low-traffic decks better.
How often does a deck need re-oiling?
It depends on exposure. A deck in full sun typically wants a maintenance coat every one to two years, a covered deck less often.
What warranty covers deck work?
Every AKD job carries our 5-year written workmanship warranty.
More AKD projects: the Annandale renovation interior, the Newtown cottage and terrace exteriors, the Canada Bay strata exterior, the pressed metal ceiling restoration, the timber deck restoration, the commercial exterior repaint, protective coatings at IKEA Rhodes and the before and after portfolio.
Deck gone grey?
AKD inspects the boards, quotes the restoration in writing and backs it with a 5-year workmanship warranty.
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