Table of Contents
Staining a deck will protect your deck from fading, natural wear and water damage. Make staining easy and get professional results by prepping and cleaning your deck in advance. Once you have learned how to stain a deck, you can refresh its appearance every few years so that your deck stays long-lasting and beautiful.
Is staining a deck necessary?
Many homeowners wonder, “How often should I stain my deck?” To keep a deck looking great and prolong the life of the wood, a deck should be stained every two to three years. Other signs your deck needs staining are: The deck has mold or mildew buildup. Water soaks into the deck boards and no longer beads up.
Is it OK to not stain a deck?
However, choosing not to stain or paint the deck is simply a preference of the homeowner. The effects that can occur due to a lack of treatment are aesthetic in nature. After 6 months, the wood will start to lose its color and will begin to fade. Ultimately it will fade to grey or silver.
Why do people stain their deck?
Putting a high-quality stain, like DeckScapes by Sherwin Williams, on your deck prevents the sun’s rays from penetrating the wood completely and ensures the deck’s longevity. Just like the exterior paint of your home, deck stain can help prevent moisture from soaking into the wood.
Is it better to stain or seal a 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.
Is it better to stain or paint wood?
Painting coats the top of wood while stain penetrates the wood. Stain protects and preserves the beauty of your wood compared to paint which covers and hides it. Stain wears away gradually for periodic re-coating. Paint peeling requires extensive scraping.
How much does staining a deck cost?
The cost to stain your deck typically ranges from $540 to $1,050 with an average of just over $700. This equates to an average cost of $2 to $4 per square foot for labor and materials. Higher-quality stains will run up the price, as will washing or sealing the wood prior to staining.
Does staining a deck make it last longer?
Better, Lasting Coverage While staining may take less time than painting, painting often does a better job of filling the cracks, covering imperfections, and provides longer lasting protection. Paint also is typically more rot resistance and does a better job of preventing mold and sun damage.
How many coats of stain should you put on a deck?
The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb. Typically this will be 2 coats, unless your dealing with extremely dense hardwoods which may only be able to absorb 1 coat of wood stain.
Does stain really protect wood?
Unlike sealers, stains penetrate into the wood. This gives the wood protection against harmful UV rays. Stains also have the same beneficial water-repelling qualities. There are many different types of stains, ranging from transparent stains, to semi-transparent stains, to solid stains.
Why does my newly stained deck look dirty?
Because mud often carries particles of organic matter, mold and mildew are often found inhabiting or originating from mud stains. These pests can spread from the stain to the deck and even feed on the wood. Remove mold and mildew with a scrub brush and high concentrations of sodium percarbonate and gentle soap.
How often should a deck be stained and sealed?
For most decks, sealing once each year is a good rule of thumb. Depending on the condition of your deck this can be adjusted, but keep in mind that you should never go beyond three years maximum before re-sealing and staining.
Do I need to sand a deck before staining?
Once dry, these wood fibers can remain raised and may cause splinters. For this reason, light but thoroughly sanding your wood deck is a necessary step before staining or sealing. This crucial step will ensure that your refinishing job gives great results.
Should you pressure wash your deck before staining?
There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result.
What happens if you don’t seal your deck?
The bad news is that if the wood is not sealed the lumber will begin to wear at a far faster rate than it would without that protective layer. But when it happens this wear will be evidenced by greying, as the top layers of the lumber oxidize from sun and rain, and also splintering, warping, rotting, and cracking.
Does staining wood make it last longer?
Compared to paint, stain can be more economical, easier to use and longer-lasting while also letting the natural look of wood shine through.
Can you stain an old deck?
Clear finishes and transparent stains are fine for new wood, but for older decks, Starling recommends using a semitransparent stain. ”The grain still shows through, but the pigment gives the old wood a clean, uniform color and helps the new wood blend in,” he says. brush to apply the stain.
Can you stain over stain on a deck?
Yes, it is possible to stain over the existing stain on a deck. It is recommended to do this at least once every 5-15 years, depending on how worn your deck is.
Is it cheaper to stain or paint a deck?
Stain is more budget-friendly. Plus, if painting, you’ll have to factor in an extra $15 to $40 per gallon of wood preservative and $15 to $30 per gallon of primer. Most commercial wood stains already contain a preservative and therefore don’t require a primer to adhere.
How long does stain on a deck last?
The best stains should last three to five years on a deck, and even longer if applied to siding or fences, which don’t get as much abuse. “The sun and water beat down on a deck, snow can pile up, and even dirt and mildew spores can settle on the flat surface,” says Rico de Paz, Consumer Reports’ wood stain tester.
What temperature does it have to be to stain a deck?
Helpful Stain Application Tips Apply stain only at the proper temperature. For most stains, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum, with the safety range from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Stains do vary, so check the label first. Avoid high humidity and staining on hot surfaces.
