Understanding the Differences to Make the Right Choice
When it comes to decking oil, the saying “Oils ain’t Oils” couldn’t be more accurate. The key factor to understand is whether your decking oil is a skin type or a penetrating oil. Knowing the difference will save you time, effort, and money. Learn more about our deck sanding and polishing here.
Skin Type Decking Oil
Most decking oils fall into the skin type category. These oils are painted on and build up layers with multiple coats. Typically, three coats are recommended initially to create a thick protective skin. This type of decking oil is the cheapest to set up but requires ongoing maintenance to keep it looking great. Each year, you’ll need to buff back and re-coat the entire deck, making skin type decking oils more expensive than penetrating oils over time.
Penetrating Oil
Don’t get bogged down by terminology. While many deck oiling products claim to penetrate the timber, most of their protective features form a thick skin coat on the surface. The true cost of ownership lies in how you maintain your decking oil.
True penetrating oils seep into the timber, sealing it from the inside to protect against wear and tear. This characteristic allows for easy maintenance: you can top up specific areas rather than re-coating the entire deck. This approach ensures your deck looks consistently great and is less expensive to maintain.
The Importance of Maintenance
Proper maintenance is crucial regardless of the oil type you choose. Skin type oils require complete re-coating, while penetrating oils allow for targeted touch-ups. The latter makes it more convenient and cost-effective in the long run.
With over 33 years of experience, Mark Jolley is the founder of Floor in Brisbane. Known for his exceptional craftsmanship and innovative use of UV-cured polyurethane technology, Mark has sanded and polished over 10,000 timber floors and decks across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast. His dedication to quality and customer service makes Floor the top choice for floor sanding and polishing.
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Decking Oil: Skin Type vs. Penetrating Oil
Understanding the Differences to Make the Right Choice
When it comes to decking oil, the saying “Oils ain’t Oils” couldn’t be more accurate. The key factor to understand is whether your decking oil is a skin type or a penetrating oil. Knowing the difference will save you time, effort, and money. Learn more about our deck sanding and polishing here.
Skin Type Decking Oil
Most decking oils fall into the skin type category. These oils are painted on and build up layers with multiple coats. Typically, three coats are recommended initially to create a thick protective skin. This type of decking oil is the cheapest to set up but requires ongoing maintenance to keep it looking great. Each year, you’ll need to buff back and re-coat the entire deck, making skin type decking oils more expensive than penetrating oils over time.
Penetrating Oil
Don’t get bogged down by terminology. While many deck oiling products claim to penetrate the timber, most of their protective features form a thick skin coat on the surface. The true cost of ownership lies in how you maintain your decking oil.
True penetrating oils seep into the timber, sealing it from the inside to protect against wear and tear. This characteristic allows for easy maintenance: you can top up specific areas rather than re-coating the entire deck. This approach ensures your deck looks consistently great and is less expensive to maintain.
The Importance of Maintenance
Proper maintenance is crucial regardless of the oil type you choose. Skin type oils require complete re-coating, while penetrating oils allow for targeted touch-ups. The latter makes it more convenient and cost-effective in the long run.
For more detailed information about decking oil, visit our Deck Oiling Brisbane page.
Mark Jolley
Brisbane Floor Sanding Specialist
With over 33 years of experience, Mark Jolley is the founder of Floor in Brisbane. Known for his exceptional craftsmanship and innovative use of UV-cured polyurethane technology, Mark has sanded and polished over 10,000 timber floors and decks across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast. His dedication to quality and customer service makes Floor the top choice for floor sanding and polishing.
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