Under direct sunlight, temperatures on composite decks can get around 24 °C hotter than the ambient air. During the hot summer days, the deck temperature can reach over 65 °C. Although PVC decking does get hotter than treated decking, its temperatures will vary based on the location, shade, time of day, and decking material. In this article, you can figure out how to cool off the hot deck. The tips below can keep the deck cool and comfortable all summer long.

Why Is My Timber Deck So Hot?

Different factors can influence the temperature of the composite decking or timber boards. The darker the colour, the warmer it can get. If the deck is situated on the south end of the house, dark-coloured floors can make it challenging to use the deck at the peak of the summer heat. 

For those who prefer a cooler deck, lighter-coloured deck boards can be a more practical choice, such as a light grey deck, solid white, ivory, or taupe. In addition, the timber deck can warm up fast when there is a lack of roof covering, like a pergola or patio cover. 

The ambient temperature can also have a major role to play. During the summer season, deck boards retain heat longer. This can make it difficult to keep the deck cool. 

How Do You Keep a Composite Deck from Getting Too Hot?

Composite decking can burn the feet if the local temperature is too high. Composite decks can reach over 23°C higher than the ambient temperature. That means when the weather outside is 26°C, the deck can reach 65°C. This makes it impossible for you to walk on it with bare feet. 

To keep the composite deck from getting too hot, shade the deck. If you have a small area to cover, then use patio umbrellas. A pergola or living shade can help if the deck is more spacious. Planting trees, shrubbery, or trellis is another method for keeping the temperatures lower.  

8 Tips to Cool Off a Hot Deck

A variety of methods can help cool off a hot deck. They can be an effective solution during the peak summer heat. With effective deck cooling solutions, you can enjoy comfortable outdoor lounging. 

Cool Off with Water

The fastest and simplest method to cool off a hot deck is to use a garden hose and sprinkle the deck with cold water. Keep spraying for a couple of minutes. The cold groundwater will absorb some of the heat and carry it away.

There is also water evaporation, which keeps the deck boards even cooler. After the water evaporates, respray the deck.  

Using Cooler Deck Boards

If you plan to get a new deck, think about the material. Treated pine gets warmer than cedar decking. Cedar holds less heat since it is not as dense timber as pine. This makes cedar decking one of the coolest options on the market. 

Composite decks are a low-maintenance option. But they can get warmer than timber deck boards unless you get newer, higher-quality composite deck boards. PVC decking can be a better choice if you are looking for synthetic variants. It often stays cooler than most composite decks. PVC also lasts a very long time. 

Cover with Outdoor Rugs

When the sun’s heat is at its highest, you can revamp the outdoor space. Outdoor rugs are an excellent option for insulating the feet and adding some décor. You can use the rugs to make the deck stand out, define the space, and bring the rest of the decoration together.

The best outdoor rug material is polypropylene. It is versatile, durable, and doesn’t absorb water. Polypropylene protects the deck from the sun’s rays and is highly usable on different surfaces.

The worst outdoor rug materials are latex, vinyl, or rubber. They hold moisture, could trigger mildew and mould build-up and stain your deck. Stains can be difficult to remove.

Using Umbrellas, Awning, Wind Sails

Many homeowners add outdoor furniture to cool off a hot deck. Such as using wind sails, awnings, and umbrellas. Wind sails can be a more permanent solution. Wind sails use a thin blanket that covers the entire deck, dims the sun, and offers a cooling effect.

The installation process does take longer, but the product offers ample coverage. An awning is much sturdier than wind sails. You attach the covering to an exterior wall of the house and extend the living space. 

Umbrellas are movable, versatile, and lightweight coverings. You can tuck them out whenever you don’t need them. Patio umbrellas are an excellent choice for homeowners living in varying weather areas. But provide only limited coverage. So it’s a good idea to check out all kinds of deck shade ideas to find the one that can accommodate your needs.

Using Floor Cooling Misters

Using outdoor misting systems can lower body temperature and cool the surrounding air. As a result, Misters can improve thermal comfort across different sites. Statistics show that the mean radiant temperature was 7.6 °C lower in misted areas on average.

Misting systems can greatly increase thermal comfort when combined with shade, like canopies or an awning. Here is how it works. Misting systems use an evaporation technique to cool air. The misters come with nozzles that spray cold water droplets into the air. These droplets become gas or water vapour that cool the hot deck.

If you’ve had your deck for a long time, it’s important to know how to protect your deck. Deck maintenance is crucial since, without adequate protection, the deck rots sooner. A guide to sealing can show you how to add extra protection to your deck.

Patio Cover or Pergola

Countless homeowners are choosing to install patio covers. They add property value, excellent aesthetics, and protection from the summer sun. In addition, these covers fully protect the outdoor living space, making them a permanent addition to your home.

The single most popular add-on for patio covers is a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan can decrease the temperature in a semi-outdoor or outdoor space. Installing it on a deck can push the cool air down and circulate the air.

Pergolas are more affordable, and you can customize them for smaller spaces and use them when planting climbing plants. If you are worried about the pool deck, use a pergola to cover the poolside lounge.

Add Tall Plants Around the Deck

The simplest way to cool off the hot deck is to plant trees and plants nearby. You can also get creative and add DIY décor together with the plants. Plants can provide shade and decrease the temperatures. When plant-scaping the deck, you can take full advantage of your free space. 

Potted plants are low-maintenance and versatile options that can create dimension and add some shade. But, of course, the larger the plant, the bigger the shade. Spruce and pine trees are perfect for shade. But, one of the biggest disadvantages to planting trees is that they take a very long time to grow.

Painting Deck with Lighter Colour

A deck with a mahogany colour, black, or dark blue colour often gets hotter than a timber deck with a slate colour. So if you want the deck to be cooler or live in areas where the summer heat gets too strong, opt for a lighter colour. 

A light colour for a deck includes light grey, all-white, slate grey, beige, etc. A white-coloured scheme makes a small space look bigger and transforms the area.