People across the world are gradually realising the importance of connecting with nature. Hence there is a growing trend of having patios, decks etc., built outside so as to take advantage of the surrounding landscapes. Having barbeques or a small gathering outside the confines of the house has become a very common occurrence today.
Generally the materials used for outdoor flooring include wood, stone, tiles etc. And weather changes which are likely to have the most impact on outdoor flooring include:
- Fluctuations in temperature
- Changes in the level of humidity, uv radiations etc.
- Freezing and thawing of snow or ice
- Rains resulting from seasonal changes, thunderstorms etc.
Hence measures taken to protect outdoor roofing have to necessarily take into account the above climatic factors. In fact the success of the same depends on it. Some of the measures which have proved to be successfully beneficial in combating these weather changes are:
- For wood floorings: There are many different ways and means that can be adopted to ensure the durability of the wood flooring installed. They are:
- Paint: One of the best ways to protect outdoor wood flooring is to paint it with Latex paint. Latex paint lasts longer, is easier to apply and offers good protection against:
- UV radiations and
- The problem of rot setting into the wood.
- Varnish: This acts like a water sealer and helps to protect wood outdoor flooring by creating a protective layer over it.
- Water sealers: Applying a good water sealant is a very good method of protecting outdoor wooden flooring. The sealant applied ahould be of the outdoor variety. It works to protect the wooden planks and tiles from:
- The damages caused by moist weather conditions and
- Enabling the drying up of any damp present within the wood.
- Cover: In case of a patio or a deck, it is best to cover it with a sunroof. This prevents the water from the rains as well as the sunlight from directly falling on the flooring thereby protecting it from damage.
- For stone floorings: Stone flooring are known to be tough but even they suffer from damages caused by weather changes. Measures taken to prevent this include:
- Use of specialised impregnators: They work by penetrating into the surface of the stone tiles and enhancing the vapour permeability of the stone thereby ensuring that any moisture retained on the backside of the stone is easily dried.
- Use of sealers: Grouting or sealing the edges of the tiles with a good sealant prevents water and moisture from seeping into the stone.
- Use of outdoor mats: These outdoor mats prevent the rays of the sun as well as UV rays from directly falling onto the stone tiles thereby protecting them from their harmful benefits.
Other general ways of protecting outdoor flooring include:
- Regular cleaning of the outdoor flooring tiles and planks
- Ensuring tiles are treated every few years to ensure they stay protected
- Being observant and keeping a keen eye out for any damage that has already taken place.
Wooden outdoor flooring looks and feels good but in order to ensure their shine and newness, the above mentioned practices have to be adopted. Only then can the longevity of the outdoor floors be maintained year on year.
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