Table of Contents
DO wait 30 days before sealing a new deck. If it beads up, the wood is still too wet to seal, but if the water is absorbed, it’s ready to seal. Be sure to apply sealant as soon as the wood is ready; leaving the deck exposed any longer increases the likelihood of both ultraviolet (UV) and moisture damage.
Should cedar decking be sealed?
Sealing your deck will keep it safe from water damage, rot, and insects. Every two to three years, you will want to reseal and stain your cedar deck. Some deck sealants include a stain so you can do both tasks with one product.
When should I stain my new cedar deck?
I recommend staining as soon as the wood feels and looks dry and weather permits.” We completely agree. You don’t want to incur any chipping or pealing or cracking so staining within a 2-3 month period is best.
When should I seal new cedar?
If you are looking to preserve the beautiful rich grain of, say, a mahogany or cedar decking, we recommend sealing the deck with a translucent penetrating stain within 1-2 weeks of construction. This will ensure minimal or no UV damage and give your deck that natural look.
How long does cedar need to dry before sealing?
After you have put the first coat on, it is recommended that you wait 6 to 8 hours for it to dry before placing a second coat on.
What is the best way to seal a cedar deck?
The best way to protect a cedar surface is to penetrate deep into the surface pores with a sealant. A wood sealer protects against the moisture damage that could lead to mold and mildew growth on your deck or fence boards.
How long should deck dry before sealing?
Allow the deck to dry for at least two days before applying a sealer.
Should I seal or stain my deck?
Sealing a deck is best for cedar, teak, mahogany, or other quality woods as it enhances the wood grain and natural color. Staining a deck protects the wood from mold, mildew, moisture, and rot, and UV rays and sun damage. The stain is available in transparent, semi-transparent, semi-opaque, and solid colors.
Should I sand cedar before staining?
If your cedar deck is newly installed, you’ll need to sand* the cedar boards prior to staining. The boards go through a planing process at the mill that result in “mill glazing”. The planing process causes an oily surface on the boards that can hinder the wood stain from penetrating the wood.
What do you use to seal cedar wood?
The best clear Cedar finish stain for outdoors is Linseed oil, hands down. Linseed oil is the primary ingredient in any oil finishes, which dries clear. You can find other clear water-based stains, but will not last nearly as long as a Linseed oil based stain will.
Does outdoor cedar need to be sealed?
Cedar offers a durable option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay, so a protective finish is optional. If you’re using cedar for an outdoor project, give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight.
Should you waterproof cedar?
Cedar takes on a wide variety of colors, is low in pitch and resin, has a pleasing aroma, and resists decay and rotting. The treatment of cedar with a waterproofing can prolong its life and enhance its appearance. Waterproofing material is most effective when applied to newly milled cedar.
Can you leave cedar untreated?
If you leave cedar wood untreated, it will not succumb to the devastating effects of mold, rot and insect damage. However, it will lose its typically golden-brown color. However, even with the proper maintenance, cedar will eventually succumb to fading—usually after about 10 years—and lose its natural tone for good.
Should I stain cedar deck boards before install?
As before, we recommend you do not stain new wood prior to installation. Instead, wait 3+ months after installation before staining new wood surfaces. This will allow the wood to weather, creating an ideal porous surface that will hold the stain better.
How do I know if my cedar deck is dry enough to stain?
Three Ways to Know Your Deck is Dry Enough to be Stained One way to clear way to check if the deck is dry enough for staining is by using a moisture meter. A second way to test lumber for dryness is put the edge of the wood into a black garbage bag and leave it in the sunlight for an hour or two.
How do you keep cedar looking new?
If you have weathered and discolored wood siding, you can regain the new look of cedar by cleaning off the dirt and mildew with a solution of one third cup liquid household detergent (be sure it is ammonia-free), one quart liquid household bleach (containing 5% sodium hypochlorite), and three quarts warm water.
How often should you seal your deck?
When Should I Reseal My Deck? You should reapply wood sealer at least every three years. In many cases, you need to seal a wood deck once a year. The more foot traffic and sun exposure your deck gets, the more often you need to apply deck sealant.
What to put on cedar to protect it?
A thorough coating or two of an acrylic-based paint is by far the most protective of the finishes on offer. It will shield the timber from moisture and weathering, but will completely conceal the wood’s colour and grain — so make sure to choose a wood paint of your desired colour.
How do you seal a brand new deck?
Applying Deck Sealer to a Wood Deck Step 1: Check the forecast. Step 2: Clear the deck. Step 3: Sand (if needed) Step 4: Remove debris. Step 5: Stir sealer. Step 6: Apply sealer. Step 7: Repeat & fine tune. Step 8: Let it dry.
