Staining your deck isn’t difficult, but it does take some time and preparation. Applying stain to your deck will not only improve its appearance by bringing out the wood grain and texture, but it will also provide protection from rain and other damaging elements. Your deck will probably need to be stained every 1-3 years.
You can test your deck to see it if needs to be stained. Just sprinkle some water on the wood; if the water pools up, you’re good to wait a bit longer. But if the water is absorbed in less than 10 minutes, it’s time to get started!
1. Before you begin, check the weather. You’ll want to apply your stain when rain isn’t expected for several days, so that the stain can dry thoroughly. The outside temperature should be between 50 and 90 degrees — colder weather can delay drying time and hinder the curing process, and hotter temps will cause the stain to dry too quickly, which could result in uneven penetration. Avoid staining in direct sunlight, which can also cause the stain to dry too quickly. A cloudy day with little to no wind is optimal.
2. Choose your stain. You have several options:
Clear and wood toned stains allow the wood’s natural beauty to shine through, enhancing its grain and color.
Semi-transparent stains will still allow some wood grain to show, but add light, transparent color. You can choose from a variety of hues like blue, red, gray, green, and brown.
Semi-solid or solid stains will almost completely cover the wood grain; they’re great for older decks with aging wood and also come in a range of colors.
3. Gather your materials: plastic coverings for any nearby plants or objects that you want to protect, painter’s tape, a broom, 80-grit sandpaper, a screwdriver or putty knife, deck cleaner and a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle, a paint pail, a natural bristle brush, and a paint pad applicator.
4. Prep your deck and the area around it. Remove all furniture and other items from your deck. Cover any nearby plants or objects and apply painter’s tape to areas of your home connected to your deck to avoid getting stain on them. Inspect the wood of your deck — replace any missing nails and tear out and replace any rotted wood. Then get busy with your sandpaper, smoothing out any rough or splintered areas. Afterward, sweep the deck thoroughly; you want your deck completely free of dirt and debris.
5. Now it’s time to wash up! Using your deck cleaner and the high-pressure nozzle on your garden hose, give your deck a good spray. (Don't use a power washer; it can cause damage to the boards.) Clean between boards and the butt joints of the deck with a screwdriver or a putty knife as you go.
6. Allow your deck to dry thoroughly. Stain won’t soak in to wood with moisture in it, so be sure to allow your deck to dry for about a day or so.
7. Start staining. First, test a spot to make sure the stain looks like what you had in mind. Then, begin at the top and work down — stain railings and posts first using your brush, then use your paint pad applicator to stain your floor, working in long, even strokes. Use the brush to get into between the boards and the butt joints. Be sure to start from the farthest point from the place you’re going to exit and work your way back toward it. (You don’t want to literally paint yourself into a corner!)
8. Allow the stain to dry for at least one day, then move everything back on.
9. Celebrate your freshly stained deck with a cookout!
Don’t have the time to stain your deck? Give us a call! We’re always happy to provide you with a free, no obligation quote.