Deck restoration · Napier, Hawke's Bay
Bring your timber back from the salt air.
Grain & Guard is a two-person outfit that does one thing well: we restore weathered timber decks along the Hawke's Bay coast. Sanding, re-oiling, board replacement and annual maintenance contracts — from Marine Parade bungalows to Cape Coast holiday homes.
Get a free deck assessment →01 · Restoration process
Restoration process
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01
Assessment
We visit your property, test moisture levels, check structural fixings and photograph every board. You get a written report with a fixed quote within 48 hours.
1 visit · free -
02
Preparation
Furniture cleared, plants protected, perimeter masked. We water-blast at low pressure to lift loose material without raising the grain too aggressively.
Half day -
03
Sanding
Belt-sanded at 60, 80 and 120 grit in sequence. Edges done by hand. We check each board after the second pass and mark any that need replacing — you approve before we pull them.
1–2 days -
04
Oil & stain
Two coats of Penofin or Cutek penetrating oil, chosen for your timber species and exposure. We apply by brush — never spray — to work the oil into the grain. Twenty-four hours between coats, weather permitting.
2 days -
05
Seal & handover
Final inspection, furniture returned, care sheet laminated and stuck to the inside of your meter box. We photograph the finished deck for your records and ours.
Half day
02 · Before & after
Drag to compare
A kwila deck in Westshore after three years of unprotected coastal exposure, then after our full sand-and-oil restoration.
03 · Annual care plans
Keep the grain protected year-round
Salt air, UV and rain never stop. An annual plan means we come back before the damage starts again.
Essential
$450 / year
- Annual inspection visit
- Light wash and re-oil of high-traffic areas
- Written condition report
- Priority booking for full restoration
Premium
$750 / year
- Everything in Essential
- Full wash and single-coat re-oil
- Balustrade and step check
- Up to 4 board replacements included
- 10% off any additional restoration
Complete
$1,200 / year
- Everything in Premium
- Full sand and two-coat re-oil
- Structural fixing check and tightening
- Up to 8 board replacements included
- Free emergency call-out for storm damage
04 · Timber types we work with
Every species has its own salt-air story
Kwila (Merbau)
Dense, naturally oily, weathers to silver-grey if left. Responds beautifully to sanding — the deep red grain comes back in one pass. Needs re-oiling every 12–18 months on the coast.
Pine H4
The most common deck timber in Hawke's Bay. Affordable, takes stain well but softens with moisture. We sand lighter and use a penetrating oil rather than a film finish — film peels in salt air within two seasons.
Vitex
Hard, heavy and naturally durable — vitex barely moves in humidity. The tight grain means oil sits on top unless sanded properly. We use a finer final grit (150) than on kwila.
Macrocarpa
A local favourite with a honey tone and lovely smell. Softer than kwila, so we sand with care and recommend a UV-blocking oil. Re-oil annually — macrocarpa shows neglect quickly.
05 · What clients say
Decks we have brought back
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"Our kwila deck had gone completely grey — I honestly thought we'd need to replace it. Grant sanded it back to that deep red and it looks better than when it was laid. The annual plan means I never have to think about it again."
— Sarah Kemp, Westshore -
"We manage six holiday rentals along Marine Parade and Grain & Guard handles all the decks. They schedule around bookings, leave the place spotless and the tenants always comment on the outdoor areas."
— Mike Henare, Ahuriri (property manager) -
"The before-and-after on our pine deck was dramatic. They replaced four boards that had cupped badly from the nor'wester and the whole thing looks level and uniform now."
— Jo and Dave Ellison, Bay View -
"I was sceptical about paying for an annual plan but after the first re-oil visit I could see the value. The deck barely ages between visits now."
— Rangi Tūhoe, Haumoana -
"Our Art Deco villa has a wide wrap-around veranda in macrocarpa. Grant understood the heritage context immediately and used a natural oil that matches the original finish. Really careful, thorough work."
— Catherine Doyle, Te Awanga
06 · Request an assessment
Tell us about your deck
Assessments are free, take about 30 minutes and cover the whole deck including subframe. We visit Monday to Friday within the Napier–Hastings urban area; coastal properties from Haumoana to Bay View.