3 Best Products for Pine Maintenance in New Zealand

Radiata Pine is a favourite Kiwi decking timber, known for its signature warm yellow tone with distinctive growth rings. More affordable than Kwila, Radiata Pine is a versatile softwood that’s durable and easy to work with. Another great factor about pine is that, after H3.2 treatment, it becomes resistant to borers.

But this doesn’t make pine completely immune to the elements. New Zealand’s hot summers and wet, humid winters can be hard on your pine deck. To make sure your investment stays in mint condition, Dryden has crafted three fantastic pine deck maintenance products that are made specifically for NZ’s conditions. Featuring oil and stain options for pine decking, these products make pine maintenance easy and effortless for you!

Each product has its own unique benefits, so it’s important to do your research and choose the right product for your pine. We’re here to make it easier for you with this comprehensive guide where we cover everything from:

– What makes pine great for decking
– Why it’s important to maintain your pine regularly
– What maintenance your pine needs
– Recommended products for:

Understanding Pine: Why Choose Radiata Pine for Decking?

Pine is sustainably grown in New Zealand forests and is more affordable than Kwila. It’s a softwood of medium density that’s used for decking. The type of pine we use here is Radiata Pine, which sports a creamy, yellow tone.
Here’s why Kiwis love Radiata Pine for decking;

Best value product – pine is the cheapest decking material on the market
Easy to stain
When treated, pine becomes resistant to decay, borers and fungi
Sustainably grown right here in NZ
Easy to work with – It won’t split as easily when you use screws, unlike hardwoods like Kwila
Durable
Beautiful aesthetic of warm yellows with distinctive growth rings

Featured: The Ultimate Guide to Pine Maintenance

Does pine decking need maintenance?

Yes, while treated pine is resistant to decay, borers, and fungi, it still needs regular maintenance and cleaning. If not maintained properly, your pine will suffer from

Fading – NZ’s harsh UV rays can bleach your deck, resulting in a dull grey or silver colouring.
Mould and mildew – The humid climate of New Zealand encourages mould and mildew growth, which can discolour your pine decking
Warping, cupping, and splitting

That’s why you need to maintain your pine decking with the right products regularly.

What Maintenance Does Pine Decking Need?

Start maintaining your new pine deck by applying Dryden OilStain. Then, follow up with a good soft wash and visual inspection every twelve months.

Apply a fresh coat of Dryden OilStain (if previously applied) with or without Colourtone+, depending on the condition of the timber – generally no sooner than two summers.

Do this, and your pine decking will stay vibrant and strong for many years to come!

The 3 Best Products for Pine Deck Maintenance

Now that we know more about pine decking and why it’s important to maintain it, let’s take a look at some of the best products available from Dryden for pine maintenance.

1. Dryden LiquidTimberClean Deck Cleaner

What is it: An effective cleaning product you can use to freshen and brighten dulled pine decks. Our LiquidTimberClean will help improve any cosmetic staining and blemishes on your investment.

Why it’s great:

You can use it on new and restored pine decking.
It helps remove watermarks, environmental and industrial contamination, chemical marks and mould stains.

Shop LiquidTimberClean from your local Dryden Reseller

LiquidTimberClean

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2. Dryden Oilstain: Clear Oil Coating For Pine Decking

What is it: a deeply penetrating oil that helps protect most exterior timbers, including pine. Dryden OilStain nourishes and protects pine from within to help it last longer.

OilStain is water resistant to help minimise warping, cupping, and splitting, which is a result of water getting into the pine.

Why it’s great: Unlike other wood oils that are film-forming, Dryden OilStain offers fantastic interaction with the timber substrate. In other words, it works really well with the pine and shows off its beautiful, natural grain and characteristics.

Dryden OilStain extends the lifespan of your pine deck. If Dryden OilStain Clear is applied (without adding Colourtone+), your timber will silver naturally.

Shop Dryden OilStain from your local Dryden Reseller

OilStain

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3. Dryden Colourtone+: Tinted Decking Oil For A Stained Effect

What is it: A wood tint that can be added to the clear-based Dryden OilStain to complement the natural character of your pine’s deck, enhance the wood grain and help provide UV protection while giving you the aesthetic colour finish you are after (or similar).

Why it’s great:

Dryden Colourtone+ comes in over 37 colours, so you can find the perfect colour.
When added to Dryden OilStain, Colourtone+ adds UV protection, which can help prevent silvering when maintained correctly.

And that’s all the products you need to maintain your pine deck looking great for many years to come!

ColourTone+

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Final Thoughts on Maintaining Your Pine Deck

In short, treated Radiata Pine is a fantastic softwood popular for decking in New Zealand because of its affordable price tag, durability and warm colour.
But, it does need regular maintenance to prevent it from fading, warping, cupping, splitting and growing mould or mildew.
There are specific products for cleaning, oiling, and staining pine decks, and the best pine maintenance products from Dryden are;

By using these recommended products and following proper maintenance practices, you can keep your pine deck looking beautiful and lasting longer. To discover more about pine maintenance, see our other helpful guides below:

Timber Maintenance Guides

Pine Maintenance Guides