Deck Staining in Lewisville, TX
Deck staining can save you years of frustration. From the moment that you set those wooden planks down, your deck is exposed to heavy rain, bright sunlight, increasing and decreasing temperatures—elements that will wear down and eat at the wooden deck that you worked so hard to build and maintain.
One of the most important steps in wood deck maintenance is to add a layer of deck stain to make sure that it has rain protection and is safe from the sun. Wood stains for decks are made of a few ingredients (pigment, solvent, and binder) that help to keep your outdoor wooden patio safe from decay. Beyond the many ways that staining can protect your outdoor wooden deck, wood stain can also add a beautiful and resistant hue to your home’s outdoor environment. If you think that you would like to increase your deck’s life and have an outdoor patio that is the talk of the town, keep reading to see if staining your deck is right for you. Should You Stain Your Deck?If your patio is outdoors, exposed to moisture, and you would like to elevate your beautiful home, then deck staining should be one of the first things to think about when maintaining your outdoor living space.
Deck stains keep out moisture that can penetrate and warp the wood. Warped wooden planks can be prevented by staining the wood as soon as possible, and then reapplying throughout the year. A stain with the right solvent vehicle and binder can keep your deck looking fresh and avoid bending, mold, mildew, and softening for years. A properly stained outdoor deck will also keep your deck safe from the sun. A high-quality stain will keep your wooden patio can also warp the planks, dry them out, and cause cracks. Protecting your deck from sunlight can also stop any problems with discoloration. A good wood stain will keep your deck looking new and save you a lot of money in the future. Staining your outdoor wooden deck will ensure that it will last longer visually and structurally. How Often Should You Stain Your Deck?Once you stain and protect your wooden deck, you will want to keep up with it over time. Wood stain comes off with friction and frequently walking over it will cause the stain to tarnish. The professional opinion is to have your outdoor deck or patio restained every two to three years, but if you’re addicted to fresh air and barbecue, then you might want to touch up your wood stain or sealant more often.
You can find out if your deck needs to be stained by doing a few tests to see if moisture is getting into the floorboards. A good place to start is by dropping some water on a spot that looks tarnished. If the water beads, then you are good to go, but if it sinks in then you will need to reapply. You should also keep an eye out for nails popping out of floorboards, warped planks, rotting wood, and large splinters or cracks in your outdoor wooden deck. These could all be signs that your deck needs a stain reapplication. When Should You Stain Your Deck?If you’ve discovered that you need to reapply stain to your outside deck or patio, then you should make sure that you reapply it at the right time.
When you’ve just installed a new deck or replaced a portion of it due to structural problems, many recommend that you should wood stain your patio as soon as possible. Wood stain products work best on clean, freshly cut wood. The planks need to be free of dust and moisture in order to last the longest, so professionals recommend applying a cleaner for wood decks and patios, then scrubbed well. The next step is to apply a wood brightener to neutralize the cleaner. After following these steps you can only use a wood stain with a light or thin viscosity to penetrate the wood. The second opinion is to wait 3 to 12 months for the wood to “dry.” This is because new wood could have internal moisture when purchased. If you decide to take this route, there will be gray markings that need to be scrubbed or power washed off. Then a wood deck cleaner must be applied and neutralized with wood brightener. Some of us might be reapplying wood stain on their outdoor spaces due to the sealant being removed over time due to wear and tear or other reasons. Be sure to replace any damaged boards, sand down any splinters, drive in any popped-out nails and clean the wood as well as possible before continuing. In any of these situations, you would need to make sure to only apply the wood stain when there has been no rain for several days and will remain dry for at least two days in temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Try not to stain in too much sunlight because it might dry the application too fast without it absorbing into the wood. |
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