Table of Contents
What is the best way to protect a wood deck?
Sealant, stain, and paint can all be applied to a deck for different degrees of protection. Sealants are primarily used to protect against moisture damage. Stains always include pigmentation, which adds color to the deck and helps protect against UV damage.
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.
How do you treat a new wood deck?
Clean the deck with Clean & Brite, rinse well well and let it dry for a minimum of five days. Once dry, apply two coats of Internal Wood Stabilizer (IWS). IWS is a clear, watery solution that can be applied to newer wood and is a non toxic, permanent waterproofer.
Does a wood deck need to be sealed?
Although the wood is resistant to rot and insect attacks because of the pressure treatment, it can warp, split and develop mildew if not protected from the effects of water. Jul 4, 1992.
What is the best thing to treat decking with?
Best decking oils Ronseal Ultimate Protection Decking Oil. The best decking oil: with an impressive set of specs to its name, this one really does do what it says on the tin. Cuprinol UV Guard Decking Oil. Manns Premier UV Decking Oil. Everbuild Lumberjack Wood Preserver. Barrettine Decking Oil. Liberon decking oil.
How do I keep my wood deck from rotting?
15 ways to prevent deck joist rot Ventilation Dries Deck Joist Extending their Life. Seal the Joist with a Water Repellant Sealer. Allow Water to Escape Helps Preserve Deck Joist. Overhang your decking, direct water away from the joist. Slope Joist. Flash the ledger and beam. Remove Protruding Post Railing.
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.
What is a good deck sealer?
The Top 8 Best Deck Sealers for 2021 are: DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stain. Thompson’s WaterSeal Advanced Natural Wood Protector. #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain. Tall Earth Eco-Safe Wood Treatment. DeckWise Ipe Oil Hardwood Deck Finish. Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer.
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.
Can you seal an old deck?
Depending on the desired look, you can spruce up a worn-out deck with a new stain or paint-based protective seal. You also need a clear weather forecast, as a paint-based sealant coating requires 48 hours to dry before being exposed to rain or extreme humidity.
Do I need to sand my 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.
Can you put a clear coat over deck stain?
Applying a clear sealer over a deck stain is never a good idea. Applying a clear sealer or polyurethane over a deck stain will cause more problems than it is worth. If you want a clear finish then you can strip off any old stain and start fresh with bare wood.
What is the life expectancy of a wood deck?
While the average wooden deck has a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years, composite products far exceed wood decks due to the engineered nature of the product. Composite deck boards are made by molding real wood and synthetic fibers into boards and capping them with a vinyl shield.
How long will an untreated deck last?
A deck made of untreated wood can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. Decks made of treated wood and composite materials can last as long as 50 years.
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.
Should I oil my deck?
For best results we recommend you oil your timber deck every six to 12 months. This will ensure longevity and keep your deck looking great. If you’ve just had your new timber deck installed it may be tempting to oil it straight away to give it that glistening shine, but you may need to let it weather beforehand.
Can you pressure wash a deck?
A pressure washer is a straightforward machine that can clean very well with only water. However, it can ruin your deck if it’s not used properly. If you use it with too much jet pressure or place the tip too close to the surface of your deck, you can deeply etch the wood and cause the fibers to splinter.
Can you put decking stain over oil?
We discussed what to do now with the spotty deck. Anyway, don’t apply oil over a deck stain. The deck stain works because it contains pigment and a binder (usually oil or water-based finish) to bond the pigment in the wood. You don’t want a build because it will peel if water gets underneath.
