Your decking is a valuable investment and it is important that you protect it from the climate by applying an appropriate decking oil to the decking. Whether you hire someone to apply the decking oil or choose to take on the task yourself you will need to decide which oil is best for your decking.

Why use decking oils?

Decking oils do much more than improve the appearance of your decking. A good decking oil will protect your decking from wood-boring insects, algae, weathering, and mould ensuring that you will be able to enjoy your decking for many years into the future. Deciding which of the available decking oils will offer the best protection for your decking isn't always simple. There are a number of points which you will have to take into account before making your choice. Some of these areas include:

• Have any oils been used on the decking in the past?
• Does the decking require UV protection?
• Do you want to colour the decking or do you prefer a natural look?
• Do you want to make the decking anti-slip?
• What algae and mould protection do you need?

Can they provide a natural look?

If you like the natural wood appearance of your decking then choosing one of the clear decking oils would be a good idea. These oils may darken the wood slightly but they allow the natural beauty of the wood to shine through. The disadvantage of clear decking oils is that they generally offer little UV protection so that over time your decking will require more maintenance as it starts to dry out. To achieve a higher degree of UV protection you could select one of the coloured decking oils. The darker pigments in these oils will help to preserve your decking while presenting a more colourful appearance to previously dull decking.

Is your decking slippery?

If you are concerned that the damp weather means that your decking is not as safe as you would like then applying one of the anti-slip decking oils can offer peace of mind. These decking oils help to provide an increased grip for your shoes while still looking great to the naked eye. It is normal to combine anti-slip decking oil with either coloured or clear decking oil to create your final finish.

The most appropriate decking oils for your deck will depend on both the nature of your deck and your local climate. It is a good idea to discuss your choice of decking oils with a qualified painter who has expertise in this area before making a final choice.