Home & Garden Landscaping & Garden & Landscape

The Best Stain for a Deck

    Bare Wood

    • If your deck consists of bare wood, either new or old, the best deck stain is One Time Wood, an acrylic resin product with a piney scent. 



      "It works by soaking into the pores on the micro-porous level. It cures in sunlight and becomes part of the wood," says Doug Wilson, owner of Paintsource.net. The product's durability led its manufacturer to offer a limited seven-year warranty. 



      One Time Wood, which comes in natural, chestnut, red cedar, golden honey and clove brown colors, provides at least seven years of protection against water and fungus, Wilson says. However, you should clean the deck with Dawn dish soap and reapply the stain every five years to add additional pigment to the deck. In its fourth, fifth and sixth years, One Time Wood fades gradually, providing "double the longevity that any other product in same circumstance would offer," he says.

      "If you seek minimal maintenance over a 10-year period, One Time Wood is the best," Wilson says.

    Exotic Woods

    • If your deck is made of ipe, redwood or mahogany, wait three to four months to let the wood dry. If you have a cedar deck, allow it to dry for one year. Clean with oxalic wood brightener and apply One Time Wood.

    Previously Stained Decks

    • In a previously stained deck, sand off the existing surface, especially if it is an acrylic stain. You can also strip off a water- or oil-based stain. Apply One Time Wood.

    Special Situations

    • If you have a limited budget and are just looking for a stain that lasts one or two seasons, use a stain such as Cabot's or Sikkens Cetol DEK finish, which comes in four natural colors. One Time Wood costs about $65-85 per gallon (2009 price range), while Sikkens costs $35-$60/gallon and Cabot's ranges $12-$35.

      Cabot's products range from clear, translucent and semi-transparent for natural wood grain appearance through semi-solids and solid for more longevity. 



      Cabot's and Sikkens may also work if you have a business or restaurant and can't close your deck to allow the 48-hour cure time of One Time Wood, or if your house or commercial deck lacks enough sun exposure for curing its acrylic resin. 



    Samples

    • Many stain manufacturers offer small samples of about 4 ounces for sale. Test samples on pieces of cleaned, bare wood or older deck boards that have been stripped or sanded.

SHARE
RELATED POSTS on "Home & Garden"
Swimming Safety Standards
Swimming Safety Standards
Do-It-Yourself Landscaping Tips
Do-It-Yourself Landscaping Tips
What Makes Stucco Get Cracks?
What Makes Stucco Get Cracks?
The Level of Acidity or Alkalinity of a Soil
The Level of Acidity or Alkalinity of a Soil
Oklahoma City Landscaping
Oklahoma City Landscaping
Flowerbed Landscaping Ideas
Flowerbed Landscaping Ideas
How to Choose Lawn Seed in Northern California
How to Choose Lawn Seed in Northern California
Beach Porch Ideas
Beach Porch Ideas
How to Make Your Own Centerpieces
How to Make Your Own Centerpieces
How to Change the Oil in the Rear Axle of C5 Corvette
How to Change the Oil in the Rear Axle of C5 Corvette
Exactly What Is A Gazebo, And Where Exactly Did It Come From?
Exactly What Is A Gazebo, And Where Exactly Did It Come From?
Just How the Answers to Three Landscape Design Queries Can Easily Benefit You
Just How the Answers to Three Landscape Design Queries Can Easily Benefit You
Difference Between Frost Free & Regular Freezer
Difference Between Frost Free & Regular Freezer
All About Retaining Walls Adelaide
All About Retaining Walls Adelaide
How to Change the Oil in a Lawn Tractor
How to Change the Oil in a Lawn Tractor
How to Repair Mortared Paving
How to Repair Mortared Paving
How to Unlock a Craftsman Push Mower
How to Unlock a Craftsman Push Mower
Gehl Skid Steer
Gehl Skid Steer
How to Grow Ornamental Grass From Seed
How to Grow Ornamental Grass From Seed
Landscaping Your Backyard Will Raise Your Home's Value
Landscaping Your Backyard Will Raise Your Home's Value

Leave Your Reply

*