Composite decking has a comparable appearance to solid woods like walnut and cherry. It is robust and long-lasting, and it looks fantastic. Compared to using solid wood decking, it is currently more popular. Since its debut, it has been a favorite in many households since it is robust, dense, and does not draw pests.
However, composite decking does not scratch as easily as wood does. But there’s always a chance of scuffs and scrapes. It requires some protection because it is exposed to the sun, rain, and other inclement weather outside. It’s likely that a lot of people have experienced deck scratching. The deck is outside, so you might need to take extra precautions to avoid scratches. Thus, what steps should we take to guard against scratches on composite decking boards?
Some advice for avoiding scratches on your deck
Precautions and protective measures must be used in tandem to prevent scratches on composite decking. You can preserve the lifetime and aesthetic appeal of your composite decking by incorporating these safety measures into your everyday practice. Let’s now examine several methods and advice for shielding composite decking from scratches.
Make use of furniture foot pads
The right deck furniture is crucial if you want to increase the comfort of your outdoor deck. It is preferable to use furniture feet pads to safeguard your furniture, even though heavier or metal-footed furniture is more likely to scratch composite decking surfaces.
Furniture foot pads come in a variety of forms on the market, including foam, rubber, and plastic. Since rubber and plastic cushions don’t retain moisture, they are better suited for outdoor use. You may relax on your deck in the sun without worrying about your composite decking boards becoming damaged if you utilize furniture foot pads.
Avoid moving furniture around
Avoid rearranging your furniture. One of the greatest ways to keep your outdoor deck from being scratched is to do this. If moving furniture is necessary, ensure sure there are enough persons to lift it safely and carry it to the desired location.
Move objects on the deck surface slowly and with caution. You don’t want to leave scratches on your deck from dragging furniture or any other outside object. Your composite decking might continue to look fantastic for many years if you can wait a little longer.
laying carpet outside
Consider purchasing an outdoor rug if covering your chairs and washing them frequently don’t seem like the best course of action. The market is filled with a wide variety of outdoor carpets. They all enhance the appearance of your outdoor seating area and guard against scratches on your composite decking planks. The majority of outdoor rugs contain non-slip padding that keeps them from shifting about on your deck, so you don’t have to worry about slipping.
A fantastic method to update the appearance of your patio and maintain the safety of your composite decking is to lay outdoor rugs. Since they often occupy a sizable area, you should have no trouble arranging your furniture to take up the whole width of the deck. In our opinion, this is one of the greatest choices if you don’t want your furniture to scratch composite decking.
Take out the snow
Your outdoor deck may get covered in a thick blanket of snow come wintertime. We must clear the accumulation from the composite decking’s surface for it to work correctly. Use a softer plastic shovel instead of metal ones with sharp points that could harm your deck’s surface.
How to remove scratches from composite decking
Children, everyday use, and life’s knocks and bruises can all cause scratches on the surface of composite decking, no matter how hard you try. The following techniques can be used to repair scratches on the surface of composite decking if the decking boards are scratched.
How to take care of scratches on composite decking
Repairing surface scratches on decking typically only requires using fine sandpaper (60 grit). Before fixing scratches, it is a good idea to run sandpaper over a small piece of wood to see how much pressure is required. Sandpaper should never be used across the deck; it should always be used along its length.
At first, any sanded area will appear lighter. But remember, the lighter parts will become more and more like the rest of the surface as it naturally weathers. Scratches won’t be as obvious by then.
repairing scratches in composite decking using caps
Using 180-grit sandpaper, you can sand off the edges of the scratches on the capped composite decking. To start, measure the appropriate amount of pressure using a replacement part. Once more, we advise exerting pressure all the way along the decking boards. Deeper scratches can be fixed with a heat gun, but exercise caution—don’t hold it too close or heat it up too much, as else it could cause irreversible harm.
Aim for 450 degrees Celsius on the heat gun and keep it no closer than 3 inches from the deck’s surface. Take care not to concentrate the heat in a narrow spot that could harm the deck as you carefully move it back and forth. If the heat causes the substance to bubble, use sandpaper to carefully remove the bubbles once the material has solidified. The deck’s surface will be smoother as a result.
