Deck Stains, Sealers and Paints
By admin0 | August 12, 2007
The big question is if and when to apply deck stains, sealers and paints to decks. Every deck no matter how well it is built cannot escape weathering. Failure to apply a protective coating will result in the wood weathering into its natural grey tones. It is a wise choice to coat the entire deck with a finish after its completion. Pressure treated wood, cedar and redwood all need protection.
Three factors come into play when considering the application of deck stains, sealers and paints to a deck. Color is the first since it will be a powerful factor in the successful design of a deck. Durability and ease of application are also essential. Thirdly, the type of deck wood plays an important part. Treated wood generally requires staining or painting to achieve the best results while a clear finish allows the natural colors of cedar and redwood to show through.
Clear deck sealers protect the wood from water damage. Those with additives that resist mildew formation, insects and fungi growth are best. UV blockers help reduce damage caused by the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Sealers with pigments offer the same protection but change the wood color slightly. Sealers can be applied under or over stains and under primer and paint.
Deck stains, unlike sealers, are formulated primarily to alter the appearance of the wood. Semitransparent stains allow more of the wood grain to show through but wear away more quickly. Heavier bodied deck stains contain more of the pigment and hide more of the wood grain.
Paints more easily conceal defects, can last for greater periods of time and can look aesthetically pleasing in certain designs. Exterior alkyds are more expensive, more difficult to clean up and are slower to dry. They do wear well over time. Latex paints are a less expensive alternative, clean up easily, dry quickly but do not wear well on deck surfaces.
Some so-called experts will tell you that a deck should dry out for months or even a year before a finish should be applied. This is not a wise course of action. The most important coat of finish a deck will receive is the very first one. A new deck built with pressure treated lumber should be allowed to dry out for two to four weeks depending upon weather conditions. Untreated lumber should be finished as soon as it is dry to the touch. Waiting any longer will lead to the wood beginning to degrade.
Before applying deck stains, sealers and paints, you should take the steps necessary to see how the finish will look. Test the final color or finish in an out-of-the-way spot on the deck or on a scrap piece of the deck wood. Allow the finish to dry to ensure that the finish is the desired result. Stains generally dry lighter while paints end up looking darker.
The rule of thumb in deck stains, sealers and paints is:”You get what you pay for.” The better, more expensive finishes contain solvents, repellents, preservatives and pigments. They tend to last longer than the less expensive products. They will cost more per application because the deck wood will soak up more.
However, in the long run they will save time and money because they will need to be applied less often.
So protect your investment and apply a finish to that new wood deck before its too late.
Topics: Deck stains, sealers and paints |
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