Decking - Frequently Asked Questions

Is it FSC certified?

Home-grown Scotlarch® has FSC certification. Garapa is also FSC certified.

Why would I pay twice the price for the hardwood decking?

It is much denser and will last many times longer than softwood. It does not require maintenance in the form of coatings. It is clean, straight grained, attractive and looks far superior to treated softwood.

Can I nail the decking?

We would recommend screw fixings with stainless steel screws.

Does the Garapa keep its rich brown colour?

No, it will bleach in direct sunlight to a silver grey colour.

Can we retain our decking's original colour?

Yes, to keep the original golden-brown colour, it can be coated with Osmo decking oil. At our office, we have an sample deck coated with this particular oil, and can advise on it's use and performace.

How can I avoid slipping on my deck?

You can prevent your deck becoming slippy by good design practice, ensuring the boards are laid with a fall, the correct choice of timber for the site, and routine cleaning. Another option is Russwood’s Scotlarch® anti-slip decking. It has a gritted fibreglass insert which conforms to BS 7976-2.

What cleaning regime will be necessary for my deck?

Routine brushing with a stiff broom will remove dirt and other debris, and helps to reduce grease and mildew.If the deck is grooved, ensure that the grooves are kept clean; this will help to reduce standing water.

Any staining can be removed by using Osmo wood reviver, which you can obtain from Russwood. We have used it very successfully and can vouch for its effectiveness. We sell it at £8.43 +VAT per litre. 

Every 12-18 months you should give the deck an entire surface clean using a power spray or a specialist cleaning solution, such as Osmo wood reviver, which will rejuvenate the surface of your deck.

Which timber is most stable?

Wood will move with changes in relative humidity. However, hardwoods, like our Garapa, will not absorb as much moisture as softwood and therefore will be less subject to the same forces of absorbing and losing moisture.

What are the main issue concerning decking?

Durability, strength, appearance, surface performance and budget. We can advise you on how to find the best in all these categories.