Anita Trengrove, Greg Santuccione & Ben Heinz | 14th August, 2025
Extending the service life of your timber deck.
Timber decking is a timeless choice for outdoor spaces and when properly maintained, it can have a long service life. Timber is a natural product, and it will respond to local conditions – rain, sunlight, changes in temperature and biological factors such as mould.
To help protect your decking against these elements, you can choose to pre-oil your decking, giving it a head start to a long service life before it’s got to your site. Barwon Timber offers a number of pre-oiling options and here, we explain the benefits of pre-oiled decking.
Understanding Pre-oiling: The Process Explained
Pre-oiling is the process of coating decking with a penetrating oil before boards are laid or installed. Unlike surface applications that occur after post installation, pre-oiling allows the oil to reach all faces, edges, and even the end grains of each board. Think of it as 360-degree protection… just remember to reseal the ends of the decking as you cut it on site.
At Barwon Timber, we’re able to pre-oil your decking to order in either Cutek or Intergrain’s Universal Timber Oil. Both are clear oil options with tints available for top coats. We’ve selected these oils for their suitability to the range of timber species we offer. We pre-oil clean, dry timber that has not been exposed to the elements.
We also offer Spotted Gum decking that comes pre-oiled with Intergrain straight from the supplying mill. It can be top-coated with Cutek, while still allowing the timber to naturally grey over time. Remember that clear coats will still grey naturally, so we recommend reapplying them regularly to help increase the longevity of your timber.
Remember; pre-oiling is the first protective coat for your decking and top coats and tints must be applied and ends sealed on site.
Protection Against Moisture
One of the primary threats to timber decking is moisture ingress. Water can seep into timber, leading to warping, cupping, splitting, and eventually rot. Pre-oiling helps minimise the risk of this by:
- Sealing all faces: Each decking face receives consistent oil coverage, including the sides and ends that are often left exposed with post-installation treatments.
- Reducing absorption: The oil saturates the fibres, making it difficult for water to penetrate. This significantly decreases the risk of cupping, warping, and other forms of water-induced damage.
- Helping to prevent rot: By limiting water ingress, pre-oiling helps prevent fungal growth and rot, both of which thrive in damp, unprotected timber.
Save Time on Installation
Pre-oiled boards also make the installer’s job smoother and the final result more professional:
- No unprotected surfaces: boards are protected even where adjacent pieces touch or where boards are fixed down, areas that are difficult to reach after installation.
- Reduced risk of staining: during construction, timber can be exposed to mud, moisture, or construction debris. Pre-oiling acts as a shield, preventing unsightly stains before the deck is even complete.
- Immediate ease: once installation is finished, the deck can be used straight away, as there’s no need to wait for surface oiling to cure or dry.
Remember, pre-oil is the first coat, and your decking will need its final coats of oil applied on site.
When to Apply Top Coats & Colour Tints
The time to apply the top coats to decking will vary depending on decking exposure to the elements. Generally, pre-oiling can offer up to 8 weeks weather resistance before top coats need to be applied.
It is important to use deck cleaning products to prepare your timber for oiling.
Cutek Quickclean and Intergrain UltraPrep are two options we stock. It is important to give the deck a clean to remove any dirt and tannins that have leached out.
Colour tints bring out and help retain the natural colour of your decking. Both of our pre-oil coatings have a range of complementing tints to suit the species we supply. If you’d prefer your decking to grey off, stick with a clear coating.
Oil should be reapplied when the decking has lost its water resistance and water is soaking into the timber. We suggest regular maintenance inspections every 6 months to ensure your decking remains protected from water ingress.
At Barwon Timber, we offer exterior timber finishes to suit any cladding or decking project.
Cutek
Cutek is an oil-based decking finish that penetrates timber, giving a natural
look that enhances its inherent beauty. A range of tints is available to
complement all timber species. Simply mix your chosen tint with the oil and
apply as you would a clear oil. Free colour samples are available to take home
and test on your timber, ensuring you select the perfect shade for your
project.
Tip: Cutek requires a 24-hour dry time between coats in warm weather, so
plan your application around a pleasant weekend.
Intergrain Universal Oil
Universal Oil is a deep-penetrating, oil-based decking product suitable for
most timbers. It enhances the timber’s natural appearance and comes in a range
of tints. We can provide colour samples on your own timber to help you choose
the best finish. Like Cutek, Universal Oil has a 24-hour recoat time, so good
weather planning is important.
Intergrain Ultradeck (Water-Based Option)
Ultradeck is a water-based decking oil that provides longer-lasting protection.
It sits on the timber surface, so it may appear less natural than oil-based
options. Its quick recoat time of just 3 hours allows you to complete your
project in a single day. Ultradeck’s durability means less frequent recoating
compared to traditional finishes.
Want to Learn More About Pre-oiling?
If you’d like to give your decking its best start to a long service life, talk to us about getting your boards pre-oiled by Barwon Timber. Our showroom team can assist you to make your decking selection and help you select the right oil for it.
