Staining or sealing of a deck is often considered as the most confusing task as there are many stains available to use. Confusion also arises on when and how often to stain the deck to make it beautiful. A well-maintained deck not only looks great but also lasts longer. Staining or sealing of deck depends on many factors like the type of deck material, the current condition of wood used, and many others.
New decks of your home should dry for at least 30 before staining. Although stain can be applied immediately after construction, dry conditions will cure wood faster than moist conditions.
Here are some of the wood types used for decks and their curating time.
1. Pressure Treated Lumber: Should be allowed to dry for at least six months before any stain or paint is applied.
2. Kiln Dried Lumber: Should be allowed to dry for 2 to 3 months before staining.
3. Green Lumber: Fresh cut wood is referred to as green lumber. This is not the best material for decks and needs anti-rot treatment before using it. Green lumber should be dried for at least one year before usage or staining.
To keep the deck look great for many years and prolong the life of wood, the deck should be stained for every two to three years. Here are some of the signs that show that your deck needs to be stained
For any deck, it isn’t easy to maintain the colour uniformity. The stain may be wearing faster in some areas of a deck. When you observe that stain is wearing, it is better to retreat the whole deck at once.
Before staining, you need to check whether the deck is protected or not. Splash water on the surface of the deck; if the water remains on the surface, the deck is protected. If the water soaks into deck, you need to realize that your deck is in danger of rotting, splitting, and twisting. In this case, you need to stain your deck immediately.
Decks present in shady and humid areas are subjected to more wear and tear. The humidity begins to wash away the stain and allow fungus and mould to penetrate the wood. Those decks exposed to year-round sun or year-round moisture will need to be stained and sealed more often to keep up with the weathering process.
Heavy usage of the deck will wear away the stain and sealer faster and may cause you to restain your deck much more often than usual. If your house is near to the beach, then your deck has to restain much more, and with every step from the sand of the beach, the valuable sealer and stain get worn away.
Deck staining may be an easy and simple task, but it can be more time consuming and complicated. Staining requires should be accompanied by other processes like cleaning, preparing, and application. All the process should be done carefully to ensure a smooth and even finish for your deck. If you want your deck to look great, our professionals at Executive Touch Painters & Renovations Ltd are there to help you. We provide all the necessary services like cleaning and repairing. Call us or schedule a free online estimate today.
