5 TIPS FOR YOUR WOODEN TERRACE

Second home in the warmer months of the year, home beach by the pool, fresh air lounge or private barbecue restaurant: the terrace is a living stage that plays all the roles – and the higher the quality of the materials and the more careful the design, the longer and better it will last.

TIP 1: THE CONSTRUCTION

As decking is inevitably exposed to the elements all the time, it needs special protection. An elementary part of this protection is provided by a clever construction (the other part is regular maintenance and care by people). Avoid contact surfaces of wood on wood: as a result of the capillary effect, permanent damp patches develop, which sooner or later cause wood rot. As decking is inevitably exposed to the elements all the time, it needs special protection.

Mareiner Gardasee Terrace, House Karo, Salzburg

TIP 2: VENTILATION

Just like a living space, a patio also needs ventilation. Adequate distance from the substrate ensures air circulation. Avoid direct contact between the substructure strips and the substrate – even if this is not soil but a gravel bed or concrete.

Mareiner Kebony Terrace, Taffa pedestrian bridge, Lower Austria

TIP 3: AVOIDANCE OF ROTTING

Ensure that the joint width between the planks is correct, depending on the plank width and installation system. Joints that are too narrow prevent water and dirt from draining away. Rotting can be the unpleasant consequence. This also applies to the longitudinal joint, which should also be executed with the appropriate spacing. Ideally, the longitudinal joints should not lie directly on the substructure timber. This is the only way water and dirt can run off or fall through.

Mareiner Gardasee Terrace, Private House P., Graz

TIP 4: ALUMINIUM IN COMBINATION WITH WOOD

A distance of at least 20 mm is required to surrounding components. Highly recommended for connecting to walls, patio door frames and the like: the aluminium drainage profile from the Mareiner range. We recommend our aluminium ventilation element for the front facing. This ensures controlled water drainage and ventilation of the decking boards on the underside, including the entire substructure.

Mareiner Kebony-Terrasse, Café-Restaurant Motto am Fluss, Vienna

TIP 5: OIl ON WOOD

Oiling your decking is a beauty treatment and anti-ageing treatment in one: it protects the wood from greying, increases its resistance and emphasises its natural grain. Good oil works its way into the interior of the boards without sealing the surface or leaving an oil film on it. It protects your decking inside and out and helps the wood to absorb and release rain, dew and condensation or water from the pool.

Mareiner Kebony terrace, oiled, House D, Graz-Umgebung

The Mareiner Terrace Guide

For more information on installation, maintenance and care, take a look at our decking guide, which you can download directly from our media library.