Start by giving it a good clean. Some people use Wet & Forget or 30 Seconds-type products. They do a great job, but take time to work, says Bryan Thomas of Chemwash North Shore.
Waterblasting is an instant fix for dirty and tired decks in many cases and may be all you need. Some decks are a lot bigger than others, so expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $500 as a ballpark figure for a Chemwash.
The effect will be different depending on the type of wood. Pine will lighten a bit with waterblasting, says Bryan. Kwila often returns to the reddish colour of when it was new. It's a look that some people like and others don't, so you might want to stain it as well.
It's important not to over-waterblast because it can make the wood "splintery and hairy", says Bryan .
If you're doing it yourself, says Stan Scott, Mitre 10's "Easy As Guy", use a waterblaster with a special deck cleaning head.
If you plan to stain your wood and don't want to waterblast or wait a month, use Wattyl Deck & Timber Prep. One litre costs $11.99 so it isn't going to break the bank.
It gets rid of pork chop grease from the barbecue or the mess from your dog's bones, says Stab. Occasionally it's also necessarily to use an anti-mould product.
In the old days, it was usual to then oil decks or use an oil-based stain, says Stan. "The water-based stains for decks are so good now they are doing just as good a job, and they are easier to use."
Don't forget to clean -- and if necessary stain -- your trellis and fences as well. Popular these days is a charcoal stain that looks dramatic and gives tired wood a fresh look.
Or if the trellis/fences are too far gone, it's possible to buy bamboo or brushwood screens relatively cheaply, which will cover a multitude of sins and modernise your space.
