Let’s talk about deck resurfacing, when you need this service and what it means in general. This is a service offer by all of the deck building companies in the USA as part of the maintenance process of an outdoor area. You need to think about a deck resurfacing service when you see that your deck looks weathered, cracked or even faded, but the structure is still very solid. This service offers an opportunity for homeowners to save their deck without the need to rebuild it from scratch.
In this post we will talk about what resurfacing is when is the right time for you to consider a decking service like this.
What Is Deck Resurfacing?
Deck Resurfacing services are an option to renew a deck, but it has to be done at the right time. There are a few things to keep in mind when and how to do it. When you hire a deck builder to for a resurfacing job, what they will do is they will replace the entire structure and will repair damaged areas of it, will clean the surface and will apply new coating or depending on the state of the boards, they might replace some old boards with new material like composite or pressure-treated wood.
Essentially, resurfacing is about the look and feel of the deck without any major work on the underlying frame.
When Should You Consider Deck Resurfacing?
Most of American deck builders report that a resurfacing job is ideal one your deck’s substructure is in good condition. Strong and safe, but the surface boards are won out.
You might consider resurfacing if you notice some of these things happening to your deck:
- Fading, peeling, or splintering boards
- Surface cracks or minor rot in decking planks
- Loose or rusted fasteners
- A deck that looks aged or dull but feels sturdy when you walk on it
If the frame has rot, insect damage, or structural weakness, going for a full replacement will be the best option for your deck.
The Process of Hiring a Deck Builder for Resurfacing
Step 1: Request a Free Quote
The first step in getting your decking is to call or to submit a service request from local deck builders. They will make sure to provide you with all the details needed for the process to start.
Step 2: Accept Our Quote
They will send you a quote, this is usually done online via email. You’ll have to go through it to see all of the details about your project. You can discuss with them any details and when you are ready you can accept it. This is also done online. They will send you an email with a link to view and accept the quote.
Step 3: Choose Materials
The next step is to choose materials that match your home or your preferences. They will help you find the right materials if you ask them for recommendations. Usually this is the best way to go about it. Talk to you deck builder if you have any questions.
Step 4: Enjoy Your Deck
Lastly, enjoy your newly resurfaced deck. It will look like a new deck.
How Long Will Deck Resurfacing Last?
Now, the longevity depends on the area you live in, for example if you have an oceanfront beach house in the Outer Banks, NC, your deck will require a lot more frequent maintenance than a house in Naperville, IL. The salty water of the ocean will shorten the lifespan of a wood deck by about 50% compared to a wood deck in the Illinois area. The weather plays a crucial factor here, but generally speaking, deck resurfacing should last somewhere in between 10 – 15 years.
Deck Resurfacing and Steed Deck Framing
Like we already mentioned, resurfacing should be done at the right time because it left for too long and your wood frame is damaged, resurfacing doesn’t make sense anymore. You will have to rebuild your entire deck to install a new frame. Wood deck framing is the traditional way of building decks, but in the recent years steel deck framing became a more durable option. With steel deck framing you don’t have to worry about rot and insect damage. A steel frame will last 2 – 3 times longer than a wood frame. This will also give you more flexibility in terms of when to do a deck resurfacing job done. We just wanted to dive into this option a little bit too just to make homeowners aware of such new options on the market.
Final Thoughts
In summary, let’s put everything together here. Deck resurfacing is the process of replacing the boards of your deck with new boards. For this to be possible your deck frame should be in good conditions too, otherwise you will have to replace the entire deck. Maintenance has to be done on time all the time. We talked about different seasons and what you should do in terms of maintenance in each season. Sometime the resurfacing might not be possible if your deck is too damaged and this is usually because the frame has rot or insect damage, but if you are at the point of rebuilding a new deck, we talked a little about steed deck framing that would give your outdoor area a longer life and more flexibility in when you can do deck resurfacing. The frame of the deck is the most important aspect of it.
