Cabot’s EasyDeck

Beautiful outdoor decks aren’t set and forget; they need regular coating to protect the timber and maintain the deck’s appearance and usability. For many, traditional coating is too difficult. So Cabot’s asked Cobalt to develop a product that appeals to busy house homeowners and renters who want to do more enjoying, and less toiling. In short, Cabot’s brief was for a device that was as easy-to-use as a cordless vacuum-cleaner, while providing the same premium protection as a traditional oil coating. Other aims included: • Single-tool, single-step process (no bucket, prep, or long drying times) • Affordable • Well packaged • Easily stored

EasyDeck is a world-first, all-in-one timber deck maintenance product. With its single-tool, single-formulation and single-step process, deck maintenance is now as simple as loading a bottle and ‘mopping’; cleaning, refreshing and maintaining the deck in one pass. A bespoke water-based formulation is pumped from the reusable bottle through a uniquely developed, porous applicator pad, providing a mess-free and simple application. Clean-up and storage was equally considered to align the whole user-experience to the product goals of being truly easy-to-use. No prep, no bucket, and a deck that is dry and ready to use in under 40 minutes.

EasyDeck is an all-new addition to an otherwise traditional deck-maintenance product category. Good design is essential for game-changing cleaning products, helping to reduce the effort required to achieve the end reward – a deck you’re proud to enjoy. Cobalt’s design focus was to remove the pain points which impede people from tackling their deck (a process which normally consumes a whole weekend). Commercially, the product has exceeded initial projections and sales have continued to strongly grow since its 2024 market launch. More importantly it’s acting as a halo/feeder product drawing in all-new customers to Cabot’s wider timber care product range.

FUNCTION EasyDeck is easy to set-up straight from the box, with a 1.5L bottle sufficient for most deck sizes. Once fitted, users intuitively pump formula as needed from the handle trigger while they ‘mop’. The method provides controlled, mess-free application. Freshly oiled decks are trafficable in under 40 minutes. After use, water clean-up is simple, with special levers enabling easy flushing within a laundry trough or outdoor tap. FORM Although conceptually based on an indoor spray mop, the EasyDeck was deliberately designed to be/convey the robustness expected of an exterior tool. Although not powered, its visual language referenced “approachable power tool” to align with Cobalt’s previous Cabot’s accessory products. Importantly, as a brand-new product, its design language had to position and communicate to users new to the Cabot’s brand. SAFETY While not an inherently dangerous product, design details mitigate misuse/access or chemical spills, i.e. a childproof reservoir bottle lid, and oneway valve to prevent leaks. Comfortable and strain-free ergonomics are also critical. The pump is calibrated for light squeezes of the handle’s trigger, and the shaft length suiting 1 to 97-percentile adults.