Untreated panel in decking?

[AlbanGuy]

Hey all - I recently had new decking fitted; overall, pleased with it but there's one panel that looks very notably different to the others. It is whiteish, and lacks the coppery green tint that the others have and which I believe comes from being tanalised. I realise that the panels will all naturally differ a bit in colour, as always with timbers, but this does look like there is something wrong - e.g. maybe this one wasn't treated/tanalised properly? Would welcome any insights people have - the colour differential is more pronounced in real life than it comes across in the photos. Many thanks. (Should be clear in photos which is the panel in question - about half way down one photo, and on the far left of the other).

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

It's definitely had some treatment, it's more stained on the left. It's probably just from a different part of the tree or a different tree so was less absorbent.

It doesn't really matter, it will all be black and manky in a year, and rotten in ten years anyway.

 

[jj4091]

Possibly just one of the planks from the top of a stack that has spent more time in the sun and rain.

 

[AlbanGuy]

It's definitely had some treatment, it's more stained on the left. It's probably just from a different part of the tree or a different tree so was less absorbent.

It doesn't really matter, it will all be black and manky in a year, and rotten in ten years anyway.

Thank you! If it won't stand out like that in a year, then it'll be fine. Is there anything in the meantime you'd recommend that might mask the effect a bit? Thank you.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

It doesn't really matter, it will all be black and manky in a year, and rotten in ten years anyway.

Rubbish, I've had decking well over a decade old, still absolutely fine.

 

[jj4091]

Rubbish, I've had decking well over a decade old, still absolutely fine.

Our decking was fine also for many years. Unfortunately the support posts and joists rotted.

 

[noseall]

Rubbish, I've had decking well over a decade old, still absolutely fine.

Any wood product used in building (outdoors) requires love. Lots of it.
Favoured by 'landscape gardeners' because it's low skill, pi$$ easy to install and lasts long enough till the cheque clears. Wood products in contact with ground rot like an old pear. When I see retaining walls and box-planters built with railway sleepers, I despair. Wooden decking = lethal. Wooden fence posts - laughable.

 

[^woody^]

Our deck is 19 years old and still going strong. It depends on how you look after it, and yes no contact with the ground if it's softwood.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Anything you do to it will make it more visible when the rest gets sun-bleached.

You could overcoat the whole lot with something, probably a good idea anyway to get something on it while it's new.

 

[AlbanGuy]

Any wood product used in building (outdoors) requires love. Lots of it.
Favoured by 'landscape gardeners' because it's low skill, pi$$ easy to install and lasts long enough till the cheque clears. Wood products in contact with ground rot like an old pear. When I see retaining walls and box-planters built with railway sleepers, I despair. Wooden decking = lethal. Wooden fence posts - laughable.

It's not the ideal solution I know, but when the budget is limited and the existing decking had been a serious hazard, then needs must. The key thing for me at the moment is - am I best to leave this odd-looking panel, or should I do something about it (e.g. apply any kind of stain, or look to remove it and replace it)? Thoughts very welcome.

 

[AlbanGuy]

Anything you do to it will make it more visible when the rest gets sun-bleached.

You could overcoat the whole lot with something, probably a good idea anyway to get something on it while it's new.

Do you think possible to rip up the odd-looking panel and replace with another? It's only been a couple of weeks since all fitted.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

If it really bothers you then of course you could.

 

[^woody^]

Never use any products that sit on the surface. Use a penetrating oil, or similar protection.

Timber is not uniform like some factory produced product. Even if you treat it, it won't tone down to be perfectly like the adjacent boards.

I can see at least four differently shaded boards in that one photo.

 

[AlbanGuy]

Never use any products that sit on the surface. Use a penetrating oil, or similar protection.

Timber is not uniform like some factory produced product. Even if you treat it, it won't tone down to be perfectly like the adjacent boards.

I can see at least four differently shaded boards in that one photo.

Yes there's a lot of minor variation, as is natural, but one that really looks *very* different! It doesn't need to look perfect, just something that takes the edge of how that one looks would be good - as I imagine entirely replacing the plank would be quite pricey. Might be the best option though?

Is the risk of using a penetrating oil just for one plank that it might end up looking just as odd, but just in a different way?

Thanks for your help, v. much appreciated indeed.

 

[AlbanGuy]

If it really bothers you then of course you could.

Any idea how difficult/expensive this might be?