“if you start applying oils or stains, you’re basically signing up for ongoing maintenance, which kind of defeats the whole point of using thermally modified wood in the first place.”
Honestly, I don’t buy into the “no maintenance” marketing for thermally modified wood. If you want that color to last, you’re going to have to do some upkeep—there’s no magic finish that’ll keep it brown forever. I’ve seen a lot of decks go silver, even with the fancy stuff. Sometimes it’s just better to embrace the gray and design around it instead of fighting nature every year.
I get what you’re saying, but I’ve actually had decent luck keeping the color with a UV oil—just gotta be okay with reapplying every year or two. It’s not zero maintenance, but it’s less than regular wood for sure. Guess it depends how much you care about the look.
“just gotta be okay with reapplying every year or two. It’s not zero maintenance, but it’s less than regular wood for sure.”
- I get the appeal of UV oil, but honestly, reapplying that often is still a hassle for me.
- Tried it on my last place—looked great at first, but after two years, color faded unevenly. Maybe too much sun exposure?
- For a flat lot, I prefer composite or thermally modified wood. Upfront cost is higher, but you basically forget about it after install.
- If you’re building high-end and want lasting curb appeal, minimal upkeep wins out in the long run. Maintenance gets old fast... especially if you’re managing multiple properties.
Title: Building On Level Ground: Step-By-Step Tips For Making The Most Of A Flat Lot
I get why composite or thermally modified wood is tempting, but that upfront cost can be a real punch to the wallet. Has anyone actually crunched the numbers over, say, 10 years? I’ve stuck with regular wood and just budgeted for maintenance—yeah, it’s a chore, but I’m not convinced the “install and forget” thing really pans out unless you’re staying put long-term. Anyone else feel like the price difference never quite evens out if you’re on a tight budget?
Honestly, I’ve run the numbers a few times and, unless you’re planning to stay put for 15+ years, the composite stuff just doesn’t pay off for me. I’d rather deal with a little sanding and staining every couple years than drop that much cash upfront. Plus, I like the look of real wood—imperfections and all.