Low maintenance decking for Perth heat: fade, scratch and slip resistance explained

Low maintenance decking for Perth heat: fade, scratch and slip resistance explained

If you live in Perth then you are well aware of the heat we face, especially in the summer time. So if you’re thinking about getting new decking installed then its definitely something you want to consider.

I was chatting to a client just yesterday who said their old timber deck was so sun damaged after three summers it looked like driftwood.  Not exactly the outdoor entertaining space they dreamed of when they first invested into it.

Eco Carpentry sees this kind of thing all the time, people who thought they were investing in a new low maintenance deck but end up with endless resealing and reoiling to keep it looking good.

Perths weather is really harsh on all outdoor materials and furniture. Those scorching 40 degree days in summer with extremely high UV, and those freezing cold winter days which can drop down to a few degrees in the night.

Most standard decking materials just weren’t designed for this kind of climate changes.  But here’s the good news there are options that can handle our conditions without you having to spend every weekend maintaining them.

Why Perth conditions are so tough on decking

Perth gets some of the highest UV levels in the world, which means when you leave your furniture outside in the sun it is getting exposed to intense radiation which breaks down materials at a molecular level. That’s what causes those faded outside plastic chairs you may see.

Then there’s also temperature. The surface of your deck can hit 60 plus degrees on a summer day which is hot enough to literally burn your feet. These extreme temperatures cause materials to expand and contract dramatically, which leads to warping, splitting, and fastener failure over time.

Add in our cyclical weather patterns, bone dry summers followed by sudden downpours and you’ve got conditions that test even premium materials. Cheap timber doesn’t stand a chance, and even some expensive hardwoods struggle without constant maintenance.

You also should consider slips. Something not really though about until it happens. When decks get wet from rain or pool splash some materials become skating rinks. Not ideal when you’re having a BBQ and someone’s carrying a tray of food.

What actually makes decking low maintenance

When people say low maintenance, it normally means different things to different people. Some want zero maintenance and others just want to avoid the annual sand and oil routine that you have to do with timber.

The main things that affect how much maintenance you have are the actual quality of material, UV resistance and how the surface handles wear. Temperature physically moves some materials, in the heat some materials can expand and the cold they shrink.  Materials that don’t move much with temperature changes require less ongoing adjustment of fixings and structural elements. Surfaces that resist fading maintain their appearance without re staining or painting.

Composite decking is probably the closest thing to genuinely low maintenance that you’ll find. Thjis means no reoiling, staining, no sealing and no replacing boards. There may be some normal wear and tear but nothing too noticeable.

Fade resistance in practice

Having faded decks is normally the biggest give away that your deck is old. It happens faster than people expect and can catch you off guard. UV fading is probably the most visible sign of deck deterioration.

The science behind fade resistance is actually pretty interesting. Quality composites use UV stabilisers throughout the material not just on the surface. So even if the surface wears slightly, you’re not exposing unstabilised material underneath.

Natural timber can be tricky because it varies a lot. Some species like teak and certain eucalypts have natural oils and density that means they are more resistant to the sun. Others like softwoods, are basically defenseless without chemical treatment.

A little tip for you is that darker colours often fade less visibly than lighter ones. A dark brown composite that fades slightly still looks like dark brown. But a light honey timber that fades can look completely washed out. Something to think about when choosing colours.

Scratch resistance reality check

Nobody wants a scratched up decking, point blank. A skateboard ramp for a deck isn’t really ideal. And to be honest there is a lot of variation with different types of seal protectants, plus the marketing surrounding it can be pretty misleading.

Composite decking can normally take more scratches than timber but it still can be damaged.  Moving furniture without protection will mark most surfaces. The advantage is that composite scratches often weather in over time and become less visible, while timber scratches tend to stand out more.

Drak colours, like UV fading, hide scratches way better than light colours too. Light timber shows every mark and scuff.

Slip resistance considerations

The official measure is called a “slip resistance value” or SRV but in practice it comes down to surface texture and drainage.

If the texture of your deck is smooth, it may look great when dry and feel nice but it can become a huge hazard once wet. Polished timber and glossy composite can be a safer option around pool areas that you know will be wet often.

Textured surfaces provide grip even when wet but they can be harder to clean and might not suit every aesthetic. There’s definitely a balance between safety and appearance that you need to work out based on your specific situation.

Choosing your deck

The key takeaway is to buy quality materials from reputable suppliers and getting proper installation. Even if you get a premium deck, if it gets installed poorly then it will do worse than a worse deck that is installed properly.  That’s just the reality of construction.

So yeah at the end of the day, Perth’s climate demands materials that can handle extreme conditions without constant babysitting.

The premium you pay for fade, scratch, and slip resistant materials usually pays for itself because you don’t have to maintain or replace. Just make sure you’re buying from suppliers who understand local conditions and aren’t just selling whatever they can source cheapest.