Deck Staining
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Rain, sunlight, barbeque spills, and red wine spills are common conditions that decks are exposed to. These harsh conditions leave you with a weak, dried out, and color-faded deck. Deck staining is therefore essential to have your deck looking good for years.
Is it Necessary to Have Your Deck Stained?If you desire to retain the color, grain, and strengthen the longevity of your deck, you must carry out regular maintenance of your wooden deck. Throughout the year, your deck is exposed to different harsh elements such as ice, rain, sunlight, sleet, etc. This is why it is crucial to stain your deck, so you can avoid the impacts these elements may have on the wood.
Advantages of Having Your Deck Stained
How Often Should You Stain Your Deck?When you should do deck maintenance depends on a lot of variables such as the climate, deck material, the current condition of wood amongst others. Every one of these factors put wear and tear on your deck. Decks exposed to year-round sun or year-round humidity will need to be stained often to keep up with the weathering process. Also, how regularly a deck is used will depend on how often you have to stain the deck. A heavily used deck wears away quicker in comparison to a deck that's seldom used. If a deck is built next to a beach, such a deck may have to be stained more often than usual. This is because sand tracked into the deck boards on the bottom of shoes and feet act like sandpaper, making every step on the deck wear it out.
Homeowners typically should restain horizontal surfaces such as decks every two to three years.
When Should You Stain Your Deck?People always ask the question of when a new deck should be stained. Some manufacturers believe you should wait 3-12 months before the stain, to allow the wood dry. Others suggest you should stain the deck right away. Both suggestions can be used, as long as the new wood is properly prepped for an application of the stain.
Wood absorbs humidity and takes new treatments best when dry. High temperatures can cause the stain to evaporate too quickly for the coating to effectively penetrate the wood. Application of stain should be done when air and wood surface temperatures are between 50°-90°F; direct sunlight should be avoided if possible, and do not stain if rain is in the forecast for the next 24-48 hours. Hence, the ideal time to stain your deck is in a season that experiences mild temperatures. |
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