Decking furniture can transform your outdoor living space into a beautiful, inviting, and relaxing place. Where the entire family can get together to share meals or just chill out as they enjoy the outdoors.
But patio furniture or your deck can also scratch the decking.
There are 3 ways to prevent your deck from being scratched by chairs or other patio furniture.
- Use furniture pads on chairs and table legs on your deck.
- Place patio furniture on an outdoor rug.
- Install scratch-resistant decking, such as Ipe or composite decking, with a tough cap, Zuri or Trex Transcend.
Continue reading to learn more about how to protect your deck from furniture scratches.
Use Furniture Pads To Prevent Furniture Scratches
Also known as glides, furniture pads protect your deck from furniture scratches by reducing friction on the deck. And also as the name says, “pads’ the furniture leg to protect the decking from sharp edges.
Made from wood, rubber, plastic, felt or high-density polyester.
These small feet installed on the bottom of the patio furniture legs will minimize potential of scratches.
Do be careful with rubber on a composite deck. Many composite decking material will react to rubber. Staining the decking.
In time though you will need to replace the furniture pads. As they can be worn off or damaged from use.
I find spring the idea time as you are setting up your furniture after winter to check all ther legs that the pads are in place and in good condition.
You can either buy premade pads, which will save time or make your own.
As is shown in the video below.
Furniture Requiring Pads on a Deck
Wrought iron or metal deck furniture are most prone to scratching. Always install furniture pads on wrought iron or metal furniture as feet sharp edges and weight will scratch your deck.
Wicker furniture often are constructed with pads built in. They are also lighter and less likely to scratch the decking but furniture pads will help to reduce the risk of scratches even more.
Checking the condition of wicker furniture feet is always a good idea before placing on your deck.
Preventing Deck Scratches with an Outdoor Rug
If you are okay with covering your decking an outdoor rug is an excellent way to prevent furniture scratches. They are also a good way to hide existing scratches.
A well placed rug will define the space while protecting the decking.
Select a rug whos colour and pattern complements the rest of the decor of the deck.
Then not only will it protect the decking, but it will enhance the look of your deck.
Three things to avoid with outdoor rugs on your deck.
- Rubber backing on composite decking. It will stain the decking.
- Rugs that trap water. Any mat on a deck should allow water to drain through the material. If it doesn’t, it will increase rotting, mould or mildew on the decking.
- Wait 6 months on a composite deck. Most new capped composite decking will fade very little in the sun, but the first six months are the worst. Allow the entire deck to adjust consistently to the UV rays, which will minimize darker patches later.
Scratch Resistant Decking
This is the best option if you are constructing a new deck or rebuilding your existing deck.
Installing durable decking will minimize scratches as you enjoy spending time outdoors.
For wood decking, harder the material is better. Decking like Ipe and other exotic wood are often more resistant to straches.
Avoid soft wood decking like cedar. The surface will scratch even with light furniture movement.
Avoid softer wood decking like Cedar. Cedar may be naturally resistant to rotting but scratches very easy. Even after being stained the decking can mark easily.
For composite decking, the cap will make all the difference. The harder the cap the less it will become scratched.
Zuri
PVC decking with its acrylic clear cap is probably the most resistant to scratches. Similar material as what is used to protect kayaks, recreational vehicles and even optic lenses. Really tough stuff.
But if you are not in the market for photo-realistic hardwood flooring on your deck. There are many other composite decking options.
Many people sing the praises of Trex Transcend as being one of the most durable caps on the market. During construction, I often find it will mark less than other composites.
TimberTech’s wire-brushed finishes may not be as scratch-resistant but its finer wire brushed finish will often camouflage minor scratches. Making them less noticeable.
With so many brands of composite decking available its a good idea to do a simple screw test on a sample board before ordering.
Like what I did in this video with Trex, Zuri and Fortress decking.
They are some of the most scratch resisted decking I have come across.
Sweep and Clean the Deck Regularly
Because your deck is located outdoors, dirt and debris can quickly settle on the surface. Twigs, leaves, and small branches from nearby shrubs or trees can also be collected here. All these can cause scratches on your deck, especially if someone steps on them. Regular sweeping and cleaning of the deck area using a fine broom will prevent such an occurrence.
Occasionally, use soap and water to remove dirt and dust buildup. If you need to scrub off some spots, do it gently with a soft brush. Also, avoid power washing and instead use a garden hose to clean the deck.
During winter, remove snow from your deck using a plastic shovel. A metal shovel contains sharp edges that could scratch the deck. For the best results, follow the boards’ direction, i.e., move parallel to the boards’ direction to avoid nicking the surface.
Remember, keeping your deck clean improves its appearance, helps to maintain it, and makes it last longer.
Regularly Sealing of Your Wood Deck
If your decking is prone to scratching, try sealing it.
The sealing will increase the durability of the wood, minimizing minor scratches from occurring.
Beyond appearance, staining will need to be done regularly on a wood deck for maximum protection. Often annually, but better quality stains may last.
How To Remove Scratches From Your Deck
Accidents happen. And no matter how careful you are, you might find the odd scratch or two on your decking. Even scratch-resistant surfaces like composite decking could still suffer damage from abrasive furniture legs such as wrought-iron chairs.
While the appearance of some scratches could diminish with time, others might be a bit stubborn. So what can you do?
Below are some valuable suggestions on how to repair various deck surfaces:
- Composite decking: By using a heat gun, you can make the scratch blend in and disappear. However, to avoid damage, keep the heat gun’s tip constantly in motion. Additionally, always hold the heat gun at a distance of 2 inches (5 cm) from the deck floor to prevent permanent damage. Also, avoid sanding or wire-brushing without checking with the manufacturer, as you might harm the surface.
- Pressure-treated wood: Sand the area until the scratch disappears, then seal the deck. This will give the deck a finished look once more.
- Tropical hardwood: This type of decking is quite dense and robust. Thus, it rarely gets significant scratch issues. Light sanding is enough to remove the minor scratches.
And here is a short but insightful video on how to repair scratches on composite decking:
