Why homeowners looking to protect a deck should opt for staining
May 24, 20213 min read
With summer in full swing, families are enjoying the outdoors more often and taking the opportunity to do exterior home improvements.
Unsurprisingly, staining a wood deck is often at the top of the to-do list while the weather is warm. Not only is this a cosmetic improvement, but protecting the wood is also vital for its longevity.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to staining a deck from the experts atWallauer Paint & Design— and insights into why they recommend this method instead of painting the wood.
Staining a deck offers many advantages
Without protection, wood decks decay due to repeated exposure to the weather, including rain, snow, ice, wind and even sunlight. Damage from animals, grilling and moving patio furniture can also cause wood to break down.
Although painting a deck offers a thick, substantial barrier, stain can better withstand the wear and tear caused by humans and Mother Nature. This is because the coating penetrates the deck’s surface and expands and contracts more easily with the wood.
Stain is more breathable than paint and allows natural airflow through the wood, which is another advantage.
Plus, it’s easy to apply and resistant to peeling, and it brings out the wood’s texture or grain. It’s important to realize that sealants — clear protective coatings that are often applied to decks — don’t offer as many benefits as stains. Sealants protect against water damage, but not ultraviolet rays, and generally have to be reapplied every year.
What goes into choosing a stain?
As with paint, stain comes in many colors. The lightest shades are known as toners and require frequent reapplication, while solid or opaque stains offer the best UV protection and most enduring color.
From a quality standpoint, not all stains are created equal. For example, high-quality stains have more resin which costs more but last longer.
To determine which stain product is best for their deck, consumers should consider the condition of the currant wood, the type of wood and what is the overall desired look. Those questions will determine the best product to use solid or semi-transparent , flat or satin finish.
Stains can also be water- or oil-based, and the two types affect the application process and longevity in different ways.
The latter makes cleaning more complicated and might require solvents, while the former dries faster but doesn’t last quite as long. Although there are plenty of stains from which to choose, Wallauer especially recommends Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Exterior Stain. This product is more fade-resistant than other comparable quality stains on the market because it leverages the brand’s durable Gennex Color Technology.
How to stain a deck
Before staining a deck, homeowners will need to determine the best pre-treatment options, which are dictated by whether the wood is new, weathered, or flaking and peeling.
Experts recommend removing existing stain — or cleaning built-up grime from decks — and then using Benjamin Moore Brighten Brightener & Neutralizer before power-washing the deck, letting it dry for a full 48 hours, and sanding the wood with 80-grit sandpaper.
Next, people will need to check the weather again, since stain needs an additional two full days without rain in order to dry properly.
After testing the desired color on a piece of excess wood to make sure it’s a good match, the best technique is to use a paint roller to apply the stain over several boards at once; touch up any missed spots with a wide brush.
Let the newly stained deck sit for 48 hours before resuming heavy activity on it.
Although stains generally have to be reapplied anywhere from every two to 10 years, refreshing the finish on a deck is an investment worth making, as it offers enduring benefits and wood protection. It’s a small price to pay for a beautiful-looking deck that’s perfect for relaxing and entertaining.
Let the experts atWallauer Paint & Designhelp you pick out the right stain product and color that’ll allow you to enjoy your wood deck this summer and for years to come.
Members of the editorial and news staff of the USA TODAY Network were not involved in the creation of this content.
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