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Lots of homeowners are now using decking to add an extra dimension to their outdoor spaces. Adding a deck to your garden is a great way to expand your living space, and decking can bolster your property’s aesthetic appeal too! But with so many people installing decks in their gardens, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to make your deck stand out from the crowd. Here are five unique deck design ideas to help you get inspired…

1. Use Contrasting Colours

Combining two different decking colours is a great way to produce eye-catching results. For example, if your deck is mostly made up of light-coloured boards, you could place some darker boards around the perimeter of the deck to create a bold picture-frame effect.

2. Lay the Boards in a Pattern

Who says you have to lay your decking boards in straight rows? The finished deck may look better if you lay the boards diagonally, or in a herringbone pattern. You could even go for a patchwork effect: divide your deck into segments and alternate between laying the boards horizontally and vertically.

3. Decorate Your Deck with plants and flowers

A few plants can really help to bring a decked area to life. Invest in some attractive pots and planters, then flex your green fingers and fill those containers with beautiful flowers! Plants don’t just look good—some studies have also suggested that they can be beneficial for your mental health.

4. Personalise Your Deck with Attractive Outdoor Furniture

Don’t settle for cheap plastic lawn chairs—the outdoor furniture market has exploded in recent years, and you can now get all sorts of gorgeous accessories for your garden deck. Outdoor sofas, garden dining sets, weatherproof lounge chairs…all this and more is available in diverse range of colours and styles to suit your tastes.

5. Finish Your Deck with a Stylish Handrail

Adding a handrail or balustrade to your deck will make it safer, and aesthetically speaking, it’s the perfect finishing touch. Again, there are lots of different options for you to choose from; wooden railing is ideal if you’re going for the traditional look, but there are also glass and stainless steel railing products available if you’d prefer something more modern.

We’ve all heard stories that you shouldn’t wash your wooden deck with a power washer. If done improperly, a power washer can actually etch the wood and ruin your deck. With these helpful tips, your deck will look good as new, and with a power washer, can be done in the blink of an eye.

How to Choose the Right Pressure and Tip for Your Deck

Power washers are versatile and they can be used for almost any task. They have different pressure ratings and tip styles depending on what you need to use them for. To clean wood, use the following pressure and tip selections:

1. Make sure you use a low pressure as possible, while still effectively cleaning your deck.

2. Soft wood like cedar or pine needs to be cleaned at about 500 psi. Harder woods may go higher, but never use more than 1200-1500 psi.

3. Preferably, you should use a fan tip or a rotating tip.

4. Start the water pressure by depressing the trigger away from people and windows, and at least 24 inches away from your wooden deck. Feather the water pressure into the range of 12-18 inches from your deck.

5. Never get closer than 12 inches from your wooden deck (unless it’s at a low pressure).

6. Before washing your entire deck, test the pressure and effectiveness in an inconspicuous area.

Washing Technique

1. Set your pressure first to 600 psi to see if it will be effective on your deck. Increase pressure as needed to clean the deck properly without damaging the wood surface.

2. Engage the power washer trigger away from the deck and lower the wand to 12 inches from the surface. Use a sweeping motion to clean the deck. Keep a consistent distance as you sweep.

3. Work with the grain of the wood by spraying lengthwise with the deck boards. You want to get an even clean without any cleaning edges visible.

If you are unable to wash your own deck or do not have the power tools, consider hiring a professional. One of our favorite Long Island power washing companies is Beyond Maids inc. at 74 Newark st. Lindenhurst NY 11757 call 631-774-2685.

Raised Wood Fibres

Sometimes during power washing, raised wood fibres can appear and create a rough surface. You can fix this by sanding the area smooth. Make sure you check for raised fibres around handrails, as they can give you splinters.

Photos: PRT Landscaping, Grime Blaster, A Glass Act.