Building an outdoor space for a cozy and relaxing gathering in your Scarborough or Pickering home is an investment. Indeed, you wouldn't want to put your money down the drain by letting your beautiful cedar wood pergola succumb to the natural, external factors that contribute to its decay. The last thing you want to happen is to see those Ipe wood deck boards falling to pieces.

With that, let us share some easy tips to maintain your deck, patio, gazebo, or tips for pergola installation, always a stunning sight in your Pickering or Scarborough home.

Deck Care Tips

• Plants off the deck. Plant boxes and flowerpots tap moisture on any surface and cause even your sturdy Ipe wood deck boards to rot, so do not put them directly on your deck. Experiment with hanging planters or place a block on them instead. Keep leaves off as well.
• Knock off the grease. When you entertain the grill, be mindful of the grease falling on the boards, as its stains are very challenging to remove.
• Seal right away. For any new deck, patio, gazebo, or pergola, it's best to seal the wood right away so it can resist external factors that could cause damage.
• Apply a sealer properly. If you are sealing your deck boards by yourself, ensure that it dries properly, as inappropriately applied sealers can harbor mildew.
• Do not paint or use solid stains. Paint and solid stains tend to peel and destroy the natural beauty of the wood.
• Keep moisture at bay. When building a new deck at ground level, install a plastic vapor barrier before construction to prevent ground moisture from migrating upward into the wood and causing wood decay and damage.