Deck Staining

Deck stains products offerings are numerous. Stains offer wood much needed protection from the devastating effects of harsh weather while enhancing the look.

Stains can enhance the look of the wood by either redefining its color or by emphasizing its natural grains and circles. It is important to note that stain on one wood will look extremely different than if applied to another type, so it is important to properly investigate what it will look like on your wood type after it is applied. Some recommend that to ensure the stain has the look you want, apply it to a small section perhaps on a small piece of the same wood type to see if the end result matches your expectations. To ensure the stain you buy has quality and durability, some suggest going to a friend or family members' house to look at their deck stain and inspect how well it has held up.

A deck must be completely clean before staining. There are cleaning products available that can assist with this. There is a disagreement about pressure washing, as some argue it is an important part of deck maintenance, others believe it can cause more harm than good. Keep in mind that a deck must also be completely dry before it is stained so after cleaning you will probably have the wait a few days. Be sure that the stain is evenly spread out as clumps will leave unwanted marks. Also, to avoid uneven color and odd looking marks, it is best to do the entire deck in one go.

A deck stain should obviously be for exterior use. Stains can be either be water or oil based. Stains are made for different types of wood and while one is for cedar another can be applied to pressure treated wood. Also be sure to read the directions carefully or consult a product specialist if in doubt.

Deck stains can be solid or semi-transparent. Clear or transparent sealants are also called stains. Semi-transparent stains better expose the wood's natural features. Solid stains give a more consistent color to the wood. Semi-transparent stains normally offer less protection from sunlight than solid ones.

Deck stains can be put on using a brush, pump spray, roller or even a rag. The amount of coats needed depends on individual manufacturers. Stains may need to be reapplied either yearly although some don't it not for three or more years. Reapplication will depend on the weather conditions and the amount of deck use.

Newly built decks should be sanded and the surface cleaned with a broom before applying deck stain. Vacuuming is a good idea to properly rid the spaces between the boards of dirt. Staining a newly built deck should be done only after a deck is completely dry.