OOD is natural, ood is beautiful, but mt needs protection from the elements. Ultraviolet rays break down the structure of the wood, dirt penetrates the fibres, rain and snow causes the wood to swell, shrink, and eventually to crack. All outdoor wood needs pro- tection, but most vulnerable of all is vour deck. There are many products on the market to care for and protect your deck including some for regular cleaning and brightening of outdoor wood, strippers for removing old tin- ishes, and, of course, an array of finishes in different colours and formulas. If you need some expert advice to do the best possible job check our the Deck Carr Planner, available from. your Benjamin Moore retailer, Here are some of the tips offered: @ Choosing the right finish. If the wood you are protecting has even colouring and grain, youll want to preserve it by using a translucent-deck finish. Irs made with special ultravio- let resistant pigments to dis- play the natural character of the wood. Solid colour deck finishes — available in alkyd or 100% acrylic formulas — wwon’t conceal the texture but are heavily pigmented to add more colour. Use them to brighten worn wood, and to create sensational colour effects. E Do the job right. Carcful preparation is essential tor any paint job, and it’s doubly essential in the case of outdoor wood, which is constantly ach “Personal & Professional Real Estate -Services Since 1972” .925-2911 THERE are plenty of products on the market to help you strip, clean and protect your deck to keep it looking better, longer. under attack from heat and cold, from dirt and moisture, and from mold and mildew. Stains and finishes pene- trate better and give you longer protection if they are applied to a surtace that’s free of dirt, dust, grease, mildew, loose wood fibres and mill glaze. H you are building a new deck, you'll get) maximum protection if vou apply a coat of finish to all sides and both ends of each board betore it is assembled. Lumber should be “dry, with moisture content below 15%. Your Benjamin Moore retailer will advise you on how to measure the mois- ture level of the Wood vou are reparing to paint — it’s nor difficult, and tr can add years to the life of your finish. Vy Prudential Sussex Realty MAGNIFICENT HOWE SOUND VIEWS From this Elegant Contemp. home tocated on a quiet CDS in sought after “Lower Lions Bay”. Over 4,450 sq.ft. this home has it all from 78° callings, skylights, F/P’s in master bedroom, living/dining & family room, 5 bdrms, (3 w/ensuite baths), sauna, Ige balcony w/hot tub, huge master bdrm with sitting mm, F/P, Wil closet 3 5 pee ensuite baths. Family rm off gourmet kitchen with W/i pantiy/laundry rm. PVAM: Seller will entertain & respond to ail offers between $519,00-$599, our Py ; . 8055 Friday, June 25, 1999 - North Shore News - 83 rotecting and staining wooden decks If vour deck is newly con- structed, once again cheek the moisture content. ‘Thoroughly clean the surface to be finished, and remove mill glaze — the shiny surface resulting from the planing process. Sanding with the grain will do it, or you can save vourself some. effort by using deck cleaner and brightener. Pressure-treated wood tends to have a specially high moisture content. A reugh and ready test of whether a wood surfice is ready to finish is to sprinkle a few drops of water here and there. If the water is immediately absorbed, the surface is ready. If it beads up, moisture content is still tou high. Old weathered wood must first, be aggressively cleaned with a. stiff bristle brush to remove degraded wood fibres. Benjamin Moore Weathered Wood Restorer will get rid of mildew as well as restore the wood for applying deck finish- ing products. If the old wood has been previously finished, you'll need to decide whether to keep the old finish or remove it completely with stripper fin- ish remover. If the previous coating was paint, don’r use a stain because it won't pene- trate the wood as it should. It’s advisable to apply all deck care finishes with a brush, in the direction of the grain, to ensure even — penetration. Applying the finish too heavily can result in premature failure of the coating. Careful prepa- “ration and application will pay dividends in long life and superior protection. { Rarely does one find such an exceptional waterfront lot. f Almast 1 acre of gently sloping easy care private property i waiting for a new owner. Very private with fantastic sun expo- sure. Stunning views from Horseshoe Bay up Howe Sound. § Mature shrubs & fruit trees abound. Convenient boat deck at shore. Cozy older family home. Move in now & plan your 4 estate! Only $939,000 egtee ee There’s a tarantula in my bedroom with the dust bunnies From page 51 these types of creatures love them and give then cute names like Jeff or Penny. But the rest of us teel the same way about them as we do about weird pets Actually teenagers are easier co get rid of than pets. Just ask them to cut the lawn or clean up their rooms and thev"ll be gone in a flash. & Don’t feed the dust bun- nies. If the dust bunnies in your home are so big that you feel you should feed) them before they eat you, then it is time for a major cleanup. Overall, cleanliness is probably the most important factor in making a house appealing. Windows, carpets, floors, bathrooms and everything else should be sparkling clean. If sparkling is too much to ask for, then try for spic-and-span and if you can’t handle that just go tor basic clean. If you can obey all these “don'ts” then vou will be rewarded when your home sells. Otherwise your punish- ment will be that vour home won't sell and vou will have to go to your reom, That's the one with the psychedelic green Paint job and the tarantulas under the bed. — Trent Appelbe can be reached at 838-7822 or by e- mail via his Web site at . SWIM THE SUMMER AWAY!... 4145 ALMONDEL. AD. Spectacular private pool setting comes with this classy exec- utive family home. Loads of patio & grass play areas as well. § Very quiet & extensive all day sun exposure. Tastefully updat- § ed smalier home with excellent floor plan having 4 bedrooms sup & family room off spacious kitchen. Convenient location F with quick access to schools & shopping. Fantastic value @ only $569,000! : Bee dR eT LOVELY OCEAN AND CITY VIEWS Enjoy watching the cruise ships passing by from this charming 2 BEOROOM SUITE-HEART in the “Heart of West Van's Ambleside Villiage” - gas F/P - insuite laundry - 2 full baths - 2 car parks - SMALL PET WEL- COME and much more... Walking distance to ait amenities and Seawalk. Don't miss aut! Call today for your privaie viewing. 304°+.1765 MARINE, W:V. > WELCOME HOME Located on a quiet CDS, this spacious home has an entertainment-sized LAm. & Dim, large, up-to-date Kitchen, Fam. Am, Den & 1 1/2 Baths on the main floor. U's the circular staircase you will find 4 BRms, 3 full Baths (Master ensuite} and more. The fully-fenced & complately private lawn & garden is perfect for chil- dren & pets. 435 INGLEWOOD-AVE.. W. Prudential Sussex Realty . West Vancouver 925-2911 www.prudentialsussex.com, An independently owned and operated broker member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc, . . .Asubsidiary of The Prideotial Insurince Company of America.» <7. -° a Prudential Sussex Realty Wesi Vancouver 925-291 1 www. prudentialsussex.com An independently awned and operated broker member of The ential Real Estate Affiliates, tne. : A subsidiary of The Prudential Insurance Company of America