First, you need to prepare your decking surface to get it ready for the   Woodstain.  Brush the surface with a stiff broom to remove dirt and debris, and use a fungicidal wash to remove any algal or mould growth.  Allow the decking to dry and then clean it using a broom dampened with methylated spirits or cellulose thinners. Apply the finish in a full flowing coat in the direction of the grain and work along the length of each board to avoid the appearance of 'overlap' marks. 

You need a product that is hardwearing and gives your decking protection against the weather as well as resisting mould and fungal growth and Sadolin Decking Stain & Preserver gives you this 2 in 1 protection.

For your outdoor wooden furniture, use a stiff bristle brush to remove dirt and debris.  Sand any grey weathered timber and then clean the surface down and apply Sadolin Quick Drying Woodstain, this protects your furniture against all weather and is rainproof in under an hour which is essential for our unpredictable Irish weather.

Once you have all your painting done it is then time to decorate this new outdoor room.  Add a parasol to your table which provides some much need shade when the sun is out and you can also add some comfy and durable seat cushions to your chairs. There are some beautiful outdoor soft furnishing available in your local DIY store and it not only makes your seat more comfortable but really adds to the overall feel of the area.   

You can have a lot of fun by adding colourful accessories such as table cloths and colourful crockery and cutlery.  There are some beautiful outdoor accessories available at the moment such as placemats in colourful stripes or polka dots.   The ultimate accessory that you can add to your garden is a new barbeque.  There are some really funky designs and colours available this year and it is the perfect excuse to invite friends and family around to show off your new and improved outdoors decking. 

If your social gathering rolls on into the night you can add some fairy lights and put these around the edge of your decking in decorative holders and an outside heater can be a good investment in case it gets slightly chilly on those summer nights. 

With just a little bit of effort and by following my guidelines you can create the prefect outdoor area that is fully functional for all members of your family. 

Happy Decorating!