The Art of Deck Staining: Techniques and Benefits

Your deck is one of your home's key exterior features. It is constantly exposed to uncontrollable weather, such as rain, snow, or direct sunlight, so it is prone to decay, discoloration, and unwanted stains. It is crucial to ensure that your home deck is adequately protected and well-maintained to maintain its overall appeal and life span. Regular deck staining is recommended to keep your deck protected.

What are the Benefits of Regular Deck Staining?

Some of the many benefits of regular deck staining include:

1. Protects deck from molds, rots, and insect infestation

Molds, rots, and pest infestations, such as termites, severely damage your wooden deck, especially its structural integrity. Coating your deck with wood stain minimizes the occurrence of such damage.

2. Resist and repel moisture

Brentwood and Nashville have spring and winter that bring heavy rain and snow to your deck. If the surfaces are left unstained, the deck’s condition may be harmed. Wood stains act as sealers for your deck surfaces. As a sealer, they prevent moisture absorption into the wood, which can potentially cause costly damage, such as cracks, if left untreated for a long time.

3. Improve the deck’s overall appearance

Once your deck is protected from rots, insects, and weather, transparent wood stains enhance the wood’s natural beauty. Solid wood stains also improve the deck’s overall appearance. Wood stains come in various colors, shades, and tints, so you have many options for beautifully upkeep your home’s deck.

Fig. 1. Wooden deck staining by Modern Handymen; (Left) Before Photo (Right) After Photo

After knowing the importance of regular deck staining, here are some of the tips you should keep in mind about deck staining:

7 Things You Should Know About Deck Staining:

FACT #1:

Dust may affect your deck staining. Make sure that the deck is clean and dust-free before staining. Wood stains do not adhere properly on dusty surfaces. For best results, wait 30-90 days after the construction of your deck to allow your wood to dry completely. Lumbers often come from manufacturers. Otherwise, staining it prematurely will trap moisture in the wood. If your deck needs repairing, complete the repairs first, such as restoring structural supports, replacing damaged planks and broken screws, scraping old deck paints, or smoothening the deck surface. Sweep through deck joints between planks or use a putty knife to remove debris before staining. You can wash it off with water, but intense pressure washing is not advisable as it may damage the deckboard’s surfaces. Water washing the deck will require you to let the wood dry out for 2-3 days before stain application. Poor surface preparation can ruin the deck staining itself.

Fig. 2. (Left) Surface Preparation prior to deck staining; (Right) After Deck Staining by Modern Handymen

FACT #2:

Avoid staining your deck under direct sunlight. Check the weather forecast before when planning for deck staining. Staining your deck under temperatures ranging from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. Direct excessive sunlight may cause the stain to cure quickly and create uneven stain marks. However, it is not recommended to stain your deck at night since the morning dew makes the paint tack and may damage the overall quality of the deck stain. Finishing deck staining before 4 PM is advisable to have enough curing time. Moisture may cause the wood stain to crack and peel.

FACT #3:

Deck staining often takes 2-3 days to complete, depending on the deck size, extent of repair work, and the materials used. Wood stain products significantly affect the duration of deck staining, as the drying time depends on them. Drying products also improve the curing time if the time is critically limited. Allow 24 hours for curing before placing your furniture on the deck to prevent damage and retouches.

FACT #4:

Deck stains often last 2-3 years in Brentwood and Nashville. However, this may still vary depending on the materials and usage. Foot traffic on the deck will also affect the deck stain’s longevity. How the deck repels water over time indicates if the wood stain protects your deck. If you observe that your deck isn’t repelling water, it’s time to re-stain it. For lighter stains, annual maintenance may be necessary. You can check it through a water absorption test. If you pour water on the existing stained deck and the wood absorbs the water, it means the existing deck stain isn’t ineffective. A properly sealed deck lets the poured water build-up or run off on the stained deck. Most semi-transparent stains only need pressure washing before re-applying a new coat of wood stain.

FACT #5:

The type of wood stain you choose will directly affect the quality of the stained deck, especially if the deck has an existing stain. You cannot use a semi-transparent or transparent stain over an existing solid stain, as the solids have plugged up the wood pores and prevented the added stain from being fully absorbed. If your deck is brand new, a transparent wood stain is recommended to allow you to maximize the wood’s natural beauty. Choose the type of wood stain that offers high-quality outcomes in terms of durability, longevity, and overall appearance. Apply at least two coats with any wood stain to ensure complete coverage and uniform deck finish.

FACT #6:

Identify stopping points, entry points, and exit points during deck staining. You wouldn’t want to be trapped on the deck’s corner while waiting for the paint to dry out. Start from the highest deck components, such as railings, down to the flooring. Create a central work area with cloth or plastic to put your working materials on the deck. You want to avoid unwanted foot marks on the newly stained deck, so keep your working materials as close to you as possible and to the deck you are staining. Extend your roller with a pole to reach areas away from you. Ensure the extended pole is securely attached to the roller or pad you are using to avoid mishaps.

FACT #7:

Place a standard painter’s tape between the deck and the adjacent exterior wall to block off any surface to which you don't want the wood stain to adhere. The wall color may vary when retouched in portions. This may damage the overall appearance of your walls. Cover any areas you want to keep stain-free. Especially when spraying wood stains, the stain may easily damage the surrounding areas that are left uncovered. Cover your plants nearby as they may be affected by the chemicals from the wood stain products.

Fig. 3. (Left) Securing painter’s tape prior to deck staining; (Right) After Deck Staining

Your deck's structural integrity and overall appearance rely significantly on how you take care of it. At Modern Handymen, your deck will experience utmost care by choosing the best hands-on service and quality products from the leading wood staining contractors in Nashville and Brentwood, TN. Offering a top-notch service for deck staining in Nashville and Brentwood, TN, your deck will be in good hands. Call Modern Handymen at 615-200-8071 and secure an appointment for your deck staining plans. Keep your deck well-maintained and ensure the added beauty in your home exterior!