The durability of wood decks depends on the nature of the environment in which they are exposed to, the dimensions and configuration of the components, the resistance of the wood to degrading factors in that environment, and the maintenance performed on the deck. The present work seeks to better understand the performance of selected wood decking systems when maintained and unmaintained. This experiment includes mini-decks made from untreated wood plus three preservative treatments, with no coating, a semi-transparent stain, or a solid colour stain. After five years of exposure in Vancouver, Canada all treated wood decks were largely sound. However, decay was present in several untreated deck boards. Coating with the solid colour stain was associated with a greater extent of decay. Copper-based preservatives were associated with greater photo-protection for exposed surfaces and subsequently the deck surfaces were easier to clean. Extent of checking was unaffected by treatment, coating, or maintenance. Blackstain fungal colonization was present on all test groups, but was less evident on wood coated with the solid colour stain. The semi-transparent stain eroded rapidly and needed frequent refinishing, while the solid colour stain remained in good condition. A longer exposure period is needed to estimate the impact of maintenance on ultimate service life.

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