Deck and patio trends: New coating technologies improve performance

One of the latest advancements in the decking industry involves new coating technologies that prevent fading from wood decks - making them more low maintenance than ever before.

"Wood decking, like western red cedar, often receives the brunt of incorrect maintenance statements - but often performs better than most," explains Peter Lang, general manager of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA). "However, informed deck builders know cedar's natural resistance makes the wood last extremely long - even decades."

Additionally, recent advancements in UV blockers/inhibitors utilizing nano technology have significantly improved some deck coatings. WRCLA affiliates such as Weiss Coatings are on the leading edge of this technology and have developed a product called Solar Shield. A combination of UV blockers, wood stabilizers and hiperformance resins have recently come into the market helping cedar remain more low maintenance than ever before.

The UV blockers break-down much slower, allowing for increased protection against the sun, more effective wood stabilizers help the wood retain its allnatural appearance and the hi-performance resin holds the finishing system together for increased protection. The end result deters the natural weathering process, protecting the deck for up to 5 to 10 times longer than before.

More information is available toll-free at 1-866-778-9096 or online at www.wrcla.org.

- News Canada