We did an article on the number of decks that are peeling with flaking around Perth and got a number of phone calls. Several referred to water-based finishes in particular that had been used externally and are now peeling badly. We didn’t appreciate just how widespread this issue is.

As a result several have been sanded off and fixed using one of the OSMO decking oil range products. OSMO oils are designed to penetrate and protect the deck and stay in place – rather than peeling off. Penetrating oils are designed to do just that – penetrate the timber. Because they work from within with just a little material left on top there is nothing to peel. [Of course if you apply too much and it sits on top of the timber then it peels off – but this is miss-application rather than a fault with the oil.] OSMO is always applied as a penetrating oil.

We have helped a number of people with this problem. We think that it has something to do with the very high UV index in Western Australia. Everyone knows that there is a bit of bite in the sun locally. Decks exposed to strong sunlight will be in need of treating carefully.

Some have abandoned timber in place of plastic decking only to see marked fading… One sander was asked if he could repair a 2 year old deck and had to tell the owners of the plastic deck that it was now ready to be binned…

Use timber on your deck by all means. It is cooler and better looking than plastic… however seal it with OSMO so that you get the life out of it..
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VCS solid timber floors are the premier provider of timber floors in Perth with a long history in both the practical side and the supply side of the timber flooring community in Perth Western Australia. For Timber Floors Perth, look no further than VCS in Osborne Park. Quality timber flooring since 1989 and still Perth’s most experienced team.