Hi all,
I’ll be doing my front porch soon and it will be decked in cambrarra (sp? – evidently in the mahogany family). I will be finishing with penofin and they suggest letting the deck weather for 30 days.
Should I seal the cut ends of the deck boards at the time of cut? Should I wait 30 days and try to get as much on the edge as possible (these will be butt up agains a prependicular board)? Will the ends of the boards check?
I will be back priming / coating all deck boards before they go down.
Thanks for any help
Rob Kress
Replies
In MY opinion, the time spent in coating the ends of boards is well spent.
You will want to make sure the ends are cut perpendicular and just to cut out the checks already existing. Treat the ends with a waxy end cut treatment and enjoy the problem free aftermath.
Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the Handyman
Vancouver, Canada
Not sure if this applies, but a former contractor told me that when using mahogany to:
Pre-cut to necessary lengths, set up in a garage and give the boards at least 3-5 coats of siekens. Moisture from the ground can affect the woods appearance, so it is important that the back side be coated.
My neighbor had a mahogany deck built last year or the year before. Even though he sealed it, he hates it. Became all grey and black within a year — even though it was sealed. Some of the boards even appear cupped.
I must say I love the look of it before it becomes weathered, just be sure you seal it well — it'll be well worth the extra time!
Edited 6/29/2004 9:13 pm ET by abw12