Composite Care and Maintenance

How To Look After Your Composite Timber

Embrace a Relaxed Lifestyle with Low-Maintenance Aftercare

Fully capped composite is the lowest-maintenance timber-look option: sweep, wash monthly, no oiling, sanding or painting. Natural timber requires much higher maintenance.

Care and Maintenance For Your Composite Timber

When you invest in a NewTechWood composite deck, fence, cladding, or screening you will be amazed at the little maintenance required to maintain its premium appearance. There is no need to spend your weekends oiling, sanding, or painting to ensure it remains in good condition. This is due to the special coating applied to every surface of each board, including the grooved edges. This coating protects the core from moisture, (UV), insects, and bacteria, ensuring your composite timber withstands the test of time.

Low maintenance is not no maintenance. A weekly sweep and a monthly wash keep the finish looking its best and protect your warranty.

How To Clean Composite Decking

Your composite timber deck, fence, cladding, or screening may get dusty or dirty from the environment, however, to keep it looking its best, simply clean the boards with warm soapy water using a rag, mop, or soft broom to remove any build up.

Food Spills

If you spill red wine, soy sauce, oil, or any other harsh foodstuffs on your composite timber, we recommend the best thing to do is to wash it away immediately with mild deterdgent. Alternatively, you can use warm soapy water and scrub the area with a soft broom, soft brush, or rag. Refer to our Care and Maintenance Guide for more details.

Furniture Scratches

To avoid scratching your NewTechWood composite deck, place furniture pads or small squares of carpet underneath the feet of your outdoor chairs and table. Doing this will stop scratches from your chairs sliding around on your composite timber.

For minor scratches, you can use Wax Pen – check our Accessories page.

Pool Chemicals

NewTechWood composite decking will not suffer from chlorinated pool water, however, be careful not to spill undiluted chlorine or pool salt directly onto the boards as these are strong chemicals and may cause damage to your new deck.

For more details, see our Care and Maintenance Guide (PDF).

Not All Composites Are Created Equal

Care and Maintenance Guide

Routine Care Schedule

When	What to do
Weekly	Sweep the boards with a soft-bristle broom and hose down, especially in dusty areas.
Monthly	Wash with warm water, mild detergent and a soft brush. Wash more often in dusty or rural areas.
After storms	Clear leaves and debris from the gaps between boards to prevent stains and mould.
Annually	Check the gaps and drainage under and around the deck, and make sure water is not pooling.

What Not To Do

Do not use a high-pressure cleaner or pressure washer. It can damage the boards and void the warranty.
Do not spill undiluted chlorine or pool salt onto the boards. Strong chemicals may damage the deck. Chlorinated pool water itself is fine.
Do not sand capped boards. Unlike timber, composite cannot be sanded back.
Do not use bleach, CLR, sugar soap, metal tools or other harsh chemicals.
Do not drag furniture, skateboard or wear stiletto heels on the deck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NewTechWood composite timber maintenance free?

NewTechWood requires No Oiling, No Sanding, No Painting.

However, no product is totally maintenance free! Normal sweeping and cleaning is still necessary to clean off debris and dirt, and to keep your deck looking at its best.

NewTechWood’s fully capped colour technology coats the boards with a high stain and fade resistant layer. This also makes the boards waterproof, so there is no need for any labour that would be necessary with regular timber.

How often do other decking types require maintenance?

No. No product is totally maintenance free. Aluminium and PVC decking need the least upkeep but have trade-offs. NewTechWood needs no oiling, sanding or painting, but you still sweep and wash it to clear off debris and dirt. Its fully capped colour technology coats the boards with a high stain and fade resistant layer and makes them waterproof. Natural timber needs the most work.

Is NewTechWood impervious to mould?

Yes! NewTechWood has mould inhibitors that prevent mould growing on the inside of the board. Surface mould can still occur, like it can on any surface, however, it will never penetrate the board itself and is easily washed off.

Will my NewTechWood deck scratch?

NewTechWood has an outer capping of polymer that encapsulates the board in an impermeable layer of protection that provides scratch, stain and fade resistance. Normal activities incurred in day to day living will not scratch your NewTechWood decking. However, like timber, or any other surface, excessive activities can damage the surface. Skateboarding, dragging heavy furniture, dancing in stiletto heels are some of the activities which may cause the capping to scratch, abrade or chip. To ensure your deck looks as good as new for as long as possible, we recommend fixing pads under your outdoor chairs to stop the constant dragging wearing away the capping over time. Unlike timber decking, composite decking cannot be sanded back.

Will my boards still be protected from the elements when I cut them and the ends are exposed?

It is recommended that you apply a clear sealant to any exposed ends or cut edges to protect against moisture and swelling. The sealant we recommend in Australia is Crommelin’s Wetlook Paving Sealer.

Does NewTechWood need re-sanding and recoating?

No. NewTechWood products are low maintenance, meaning they are a pre-finished board that doesn’t require any initial staining, coating or any on-going recoating or sanding.

Can you use a high pressure cleaner?

Using a high-pressure cleaner is not recommended, as it may cause damage on boards. Please refer to the NewTechWood Care and maintenance guide on further guidance on how to clean your deck.

Why does my deck look like it’s fading?

It’s likely a buildup of dust and dirt—not fading. NewTechWood is designed for colour
durability, but regular cleaning is essential. We recommend a monthly clean
using water, mild detergent, and a soft brush.

Avoid high-pressure washing, as it may damage the surface. For full details, see our Care & Maintenance Guide.

Why I have static on my deck?

Like all co-extruded composite decking products, NewTechWood boards may occasionally experience a build-up of static electricity under certain environmental conditions.

Static is generally more likely to occur in areas with low humidity or dry weather and may also be influenced by factors such as the type of subframe materials used, particularly if they include metal components like balustrades. These conditions are outside of NewTechWood’s control and, as such, static build-up is not covered under warranty.

If static becomes noticeable, it can often be reduced through the use of an anti-static spray (for example, ACL Staticide or similar products). These water-based solutions may need to be reapplied after rain or prolonged exposure to the elements. Alternatively, insulating key contact points — such as balustrades or door handles — with a UV-resistant, outdoor-grade clear coating can help create a longer-term barrier. Multiple applications may be required for the best results.

In most cases, any static build-up will naturally diminish over time as the decking surface settles and wears in.

Does composite decking need sealing?

Not the surface. NewTechWood is a pre-finished board that needs no staining, coating, sanding or recoating. Do seal cut ends and exposed edges with a clear sealant to protect against moisture and swelling. The sealant we recommend in Australia is Crommelin’s Wetlook Paving Sealer.

What is the easiest decking to maintain?

Aluminium and PVC decking need the least upkeep but have trade-offs. Of the timber-look options, fully capped composite is the lowest maintenance: sweep, wash monthly, no oiling, sanding or painting. Natural timber is the highest maintenance. See the comparison table above.