what is the best treatment for wooden decks

• SCRAPE OFF LOOSE FINISH. Remove loose paint or opaque deck stain with a paint scraper.
• SCRUB THE SURFACE. Use a stiff bristle brush to remove flaking stain or dirt.
• APPLY CLEANER. Apply a deck brightener/refinisher product to wood surfaces.
• POWER WASH DECK.
• APPLY FINISH.
• USE A BRUSH.

Full Answer

What is the best protection for wood decks?

• BEST OVERALL: SEAL-ONCE MARINE Wood Sealer, Waterproofer & Stain
• BEST BUDGET: Rust-Oleum 9441 Ultimate Spar Urethane Oil Based
• BEST FOR WATERPROOFING: Thompson’s WaterSeal Wood Protector
• BEST WITH UV PROTECTION: DEFY Crystal Clear Composite Deck Waterproofing
• BEST FOR COOL TEMPS: Olympic Stain 56500-04 Maximum Waterproofing Sealant

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What is the best stain to protect a wooden deck?

● Solid Stains: Solid stains provide a great deal of protection to your wooden deck. While this might take away the element of retention of natural colour, it does pose a good deal of longevity. ● Oil-Based Stains: These use special oils like linseed, tung, and soy.

What is the best finish for a redwood deck?

• Cabot is a blend of resin and oil, thus offers a superior natural finish on bar wood.
• It accentuates the wood grain, which enhances the wood’s beauty.
• You can get the formula in 5 toned wood colors, thus, appropriate for more wood projects.
• It is water repellent and thus preserves the wood from rotting.

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When to seal or stain a new wood deck?

Wait to stain a new wood deck if water beads up on it. The wood on a new deck needs to dry thoroughly before sealing or staining. If the wood came still wet with preservative, allow it to dry about 30 days before applying stain or sealer. Pour a little water on the wood. If the water beads up, it’s still too wet to finish.

What is the best product to protect deck?

BEST OVERALL: Seal-Once Marine Premium Wood Sealer.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Rust-Oleum Varathane Ultimate Spar Urethane Oil Based.PRESSURE-TREATED WOOD PICK: Thompson's WaterSeal Transparent Wood Sealer.BEST FOR WATERPROOFING: Thompson's WaterSeal Clear Wood Sealer.BEST WITH UV PROTECTION: Defy Composite Deck Sealer.More items...•

Is it better to seal or stain a deck?

Sealing a deck is best for cedar, teak, mahogany, or other quality woods as it enhances the wood grain and natural color. What is this? Staining a deck protects the wood from mold, mildew, moisture, and rot, and UV rays and sun damage.

What's the best deck sealer for pressure treated wood?

For pressure treated decks, we recommend Spa N Deck from Flood or Wood RX. The 100% acrylic finish formula can be applied in just one day, and the end result enhances the wood's natural beauty while providing extra durability.

Is Thompson's water seal better than stain?

The advantage of this, they say, is the sealer provides additional protection against water and weather damage, while the stain helps reduce fading from UV rays. Sealers should last at least a year, with some lasting up to three years.

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's better than Thompson's water seal?

According to them, these are the nine most effective wood sealers:Thompson's Water Seal. ... Rainguard Premium Wood Sealer. ... DEFY Crystal Clear Sealer. ... Anchorseal 2. ... Roxil Wood Protection Cream. ... Eco-Advance Exterior Wood Waterproofer. ... Ready Seal Stain and Sealer for Wood. ... Pure Tung Oil Natural Wood Sealer.

Is Thompson's water seal any good?

Is Thompson's WaterSeal Any Good? Our experience with Thompson's WaterSeal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector was disappointing overall, and we would not recommend this product. Its inability to prevent UV graying is too harmful to your deck's wood.

Should I use Thompson water seal on pressure treated wood?

Some, like Thompson's® WaterSeal® Waterproofing Wood Protector, recommend waiting 30 days before application on new pressure treated lumber. Other products, like Thompson's® WaterSeal® Waterproofing Stain, can be applied immediately to new pressure treated lumber.

What is the best way to clean a deck?

Though you can mix your own with laundry detergent and bleach, a store-bought cleaner is best for very dirty or damaged wood.

What wood is used to make a deck look new again?

A guide to the cleaners, finishes, and techniques for making your wood deck look new again. Even if your deck is made of pressure-treated lumber, redwood, cedar , or some other durable species, it's at risk the moment the last nail is driven home. There are several culprits.

How long does a semi transparent deck last?

The more pigment the finish has, the better it is at blocking UV rays. That's why a semitransparent deck finish will last up to three years or more before another application is needed. Solid-color finishes offer the most UV protection. Unfortunately, most aren't formulated for foot traffic.

What is a clear sealer for decking?

Deck finishes fall into two categories: sealers and stains. Both are formulated to seal out the elements. As their name implies, clear sealers are nonpigmented finishes. Stains are available with a little pigmentation (referred to on the label as "tone"), semitransparent, and in solid colors. Unlike paints, which form a surface film, clear and pigmented finishes penetrate the wood and can stand up to foot traffic.

How much does a 20x20 deck cost?

Time, Cost and Materials. Most homeowners do the work themselves because they can save money. The materials for a 20x20-foot deck will run between $80 and $120, plus another $80 or so to rent a power washer for a day.

Why are clear deck finishes so popular?

Clear deck finishes are popular because they allow the natural grain of the wood to show through. And because they're transparent, you can't leave any lap marks during application, which is a common problem with pigmented finishes. But, they aren't as good at blocking UV rays.

How long does it take to dry a deck?

What's more, the actual work takes just two days — one to clean the surface and another to apply the finish. But you will have to wait three to five days after cleaning for the deck to dry so the finish will penetrate fully. If you don't have the time to do it yourself, you can hire a deck-maintenance contractor.

What causes a wood deck to rot?

As with all things made of wood, a wood deck is subject to deterioration from exposure to the elements. Sun, rain, snow, and wind all take their toll, wearing away at the wood and leading to cracks, splinters, fading, and rot.

Why is it important to seal decking?

The best deck sealer protects from damage due to rot and unsightly mold or mildew while still allowing the wood’s natural grain and color to show.

Why do I have headaches after using deck sealer?

This is due to fumes released by volatile organic chemicals (VOCs).

How long does it take for a deck sealer to dry?

Deck sealers vary in the amount of drying time they require. Many will dry to the touch within 1 to 5 hours, but humidity levels and outdoor temperatures can affect that time range.

How many coats of deck sealer should I use?

Most deck sealers require two coats for the best performance, though a few products can get the job done with just a single coat. That’s a big time-saver, although users will pay more for a single-coat sealer.

Why seal a deck?

Deck sealer helps protect the wood from the damaging effects of moisture, including rain, snow, humidity, and sprinkler runoff.

How cold does it have to be to seal a deck?

Most deck sealers require temperatures of 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher before application, but Olympic Stain’s sealant goes on smoothly even when it’s as chilly as 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Users can even apply it on damp wood after a rain shower.

What is the best sealer for a pool deck?

If your pool deck is built with a variety of hardwood, this may prove to be the best deck sealer for you. This oil-based formula allows for the penetration of even more dense varieties of wood, for example, tigerwood, ipe, or other hardwoods. The mixture of linseed oil and others helps in enhancing the look of the wood by maintaining a rich color and the texture of the wood.

How long does a stain last on a wood deck?

The stain can last you approximately over 2 years if taken care of.

How many square feet does a gallon of deck sealer cover?

Most deck sealers and stains are usually bought in 1-gallon containers. 1 gallon will cover around 200 to 300 square feet depending upon the thickness of the coat. On average, this is about 250 square feet of coverage. Therefore, 2 gallons of stain would probably cover for a 500 square foot deck.

What is the first type of deck sealer?

Clear Sealers. The first type of deck sealers (or wood sealers) available in the market are the clear variety. Either they will have no pigment at all, or there will be very little pigment in most clear sealers that can be bought in stores or online.

Why do people use wood sealers?

There are many reasons why people invest in deck or wood sealers. First, it will improve the overall look of the wooden decks around your pool. The wood sealers and stains give the deck a better finish. In addition to this, the wooden deck will be more durable in the long run if it is sealed properly.

What are the dangers of sealing a deck?

The most common threat to wooden decks is water from the pool, growth of mildew and the harsh UV rays of the sun. Sealing the wood well can prevent these problems. Finally, maintaining the deck area can be a difficult task, but you can minimize the issues related to maintenance by simply using deck sealers.

How long does it take to apply a deck stain?

You can choose the one that suits your deck best. The application process is very fast and you can get done with the entire project in about 24 hours, giving you the benefits of both a stain and a sealer.

What kind of stain should I use on a deck?

Clear finishes and transparent stains are fine for new wood, but for older decks, using a semi-transparent stain is commonly recommended.

How long does it take for a deck to dry?

Run the 5-in-1 tool along the gaps to break the film, letting the excess drip down along the edges. Allow the first coat to dry for 4 to 6 hours. When the surface is no longer tacky, start the second coat.

How long does it take for a deck to dry before staining?

Before stain can be applied, the wood must dry, or it won’t absorb the finish. Three or four consecutive days without rain is enough time in most climates. (When in doubt, check with a moisture meter; when it reads 15 percent or less, the wood is ready to coat.) Sweep the deck clean before applying stain.

How long does it take for a finish coat to dry?

Now comes the hardest part: Allow the finish coat to dry for at least 24 hours before walking on it, and four days before placing any furniture on it.

How long to wait to apply finish coat?

Wait to apply finish coat until dry weather is expected for 48 hours post-application. Apply the finish coat in the same manner as you applied the initial coat, covering all surfaces. Take care to fill any visible fissures and cracks in boards.

Can you replace a deck with a new stain?

If your shabby old deck has become a source of shame, there’s usually a fix short of replacing it. Assuming the structure is sound, your deck can be restored. Depending on the desired look, you can spruce up a worn- out deck with a new stain or paint-based protective seal.

What to do if your deck is water based?

If the old deck finish is cracking or peeling and/or doesn’t absorb water, it’s likely water-based. To remove water-based wood deck finishes, you’ll need to use paint stripper as well as a fair degree of sanding before applying your new finish.

Why use oil based deck finish?

Oil-based deck finish. Easy to apply because of the slower drying time. Penetrates the wood and doesn’t form a film. Takes longer to dry. The wide temperature parameters for application let you apply it earlier or later in the season than water-based wood deck finishes. Doesn’t crack or peel.

How to tell if a deck is oil based?

If you don’t know whether the old deck finish is water- or oil-based, here’s how to tell: If the old finish absorbs water and isn’t peeling or cracking, it ’s most likely oil-based. In this case, use a deck cleaner with a scrub brush to clean the surface. Apply your new finish according to the directions on the can.

How long does a deck last?

With good airflow, the deck will last for decades. If you’ve had a deck for more than a couple years, chances are it’ll need some work. After all, it spends 365 days a year exposed to the elements. Check out these 31 tips for repairing and replacing deck parts, and other tips for maximizing your deck, too.

What is the first step to refinish wood?

When it’s time to refinish, the first step is cleaning . Pressure washing can loosen the wood fibers and hasten the breakdown of the wood, so don’t do it unless you’re experienced with the proper pressure and angles for cleaning wood. Deck cleaners and scrub brushes are a much safer option.

How long should I wait to clean a deck before painting?

During the waiting period, clean with a deck cleaner and a scrub brush at three to six months, and then again right before finishing.

Is water based deck finish harder than oil?

Water-based deck finish. Dries fast, making the application more difficult than oil because it’s harder to keep a wet edge. Forms a protective film. Will likely crack and peel. Must be completely removed before refinishing.

What kind of wood is used for decking?

Exterior deck construction utilizes four main types of wood: Redwood: Perhaps the top wood species for high-end decks, redwood naturally resists insects, moisture damage, and decay, but it comes at a high cost. Considered a softwood, redwood contains natural oils and tannins that give it a warm reddish hue.

What is the best stain for a deck?

Deck stain is available in four opacities: Toner: This stain is closest to a clear sealer. It contains just a hint of color and imparts only a slight hue to the wood that won’t change the deck’s overall look. Toner requires reapplication every year for the best protection.

How long does it take to apply ready seal to a deck?

Ready Seal is well suited for applying to new treated-wood decks, but users should wait 6 months after the deck’s construction to allow treatment chemicals to evaporate. One gallon covers up to 175 square feet, and the product comes in a 5-gallon can.

What is Cabot Australian Timber Oil?

Defend the deck from UV rays, water, and mildew while bringing out the natural beauty of its wood grain with Cabot Australian Timber Oil. This semi-transparent, oil-based stain is available in multiple colors to complement a variety of wood decks. The stain formulation contains linseed and tung oil that ensures uniform penetration and increases the wood’s ability to resist moisture damage; rain beads up and runs off rather than soaking into the wood.

How often should I recoat a deck?

It offers some deck sealer protection, but plan to recoat every 2 to 3 years. Semi-opaque: Also called “semi-solid,” this deck stain contains enough pigment to obscure most of the wood grain while imparting rich color. Users need to recoat every 3 to 4 years.

What to consider when choosing a deck stain?

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Deck Stain. Choosing a deck stain is about more than just picking a color and brushing the product on the decking; the process requires considering the type and age of the deck wood and whether you’ve previously stained or painted it.

Is cedar good for decking?

Cedar: Also a softwood that’s naturally resistant to decay, rot, and insect damage, cedar is an optimal wood for decks, but it’s also pricey. When new and in good shape, cedar doesn’t require the application of a stain, which would alter its natural beauty.

What is deck restoration coating?

What is a Deck Restoration Coating? Deck restore paint coatings are made from a long-lasting tintable acrylic base material with UV inhibitors and added solids (aluminum oxide or sand). The solids provide texture and hold the product together (like aggregate in concrete).

How do I paint a deck with a stir stick?

Clean the gaps as you go with a stir stick or a 5-in-1 style deck paints tool. Dunk a brush into the pail and dribble it into missed spots or depressions to build them up. Start at one end of the board and walk the brush down the entire length in one continuous motion. If you lift the brush, you’ll leave marks.

How long does a deck paint restoration last?

Deck paint restoration coatings are thick enough to fill all cracks, knotholes, and splinters, and they provide a completely new textured surface that can last as long as 13 years without additional applications.

Can you walk on a deck with bare feet?

If you pick a dark color and your deck gets direct sunlight, it may be too hot to walk on with bare feet. Some deck restoration products (such as Restore 10X) can be used only on horizontal surfaces, so you’ll need a matching or complementary product designed for the deck’s vertical surfaces.

Can you stain a wood deck?

Keeping a wood deck in good shape takes a lot of work. Even if you stain or seal it, the boards can still crack and splinter, making the deck look old and worn. Switching over to composite decking is one option, though the cost may be prohibitive. But there’s another, far more affordable solution.

What is Best Stain for Old Wood Deck

We appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2022 If you are looking for honest deck stain ratings, look no further. Below, we mention some tips for restoring an old neglected wood deck.

Best Stain for an Older Wood Decking

Wood decks can be a beautiful addition to any property but when neglected they can also become an eyesore. When a deck goes too long without being maintained sun and water damage occur. The wood loses its natural oils and becomes very dry and porous.