The Benefits of Professional Deck Staining in Nashville’s Climate

Nashville, Tennessee, has a humid subtropical climate with moderate seasonality. It cycles through four seasons: summer, winter, spring and fall. Summers in Nashville are long and hot, with an average temperature of 80 °F (27 °C) in July. An average of 39 °F (4 °C) was recorded in winter, usually in January. With Nashville’s seasonal weather conditions, protecting your wooden structures, such as through professional deck staining, is essential. A well-maintained deck is a comfortable outdoor space for relaxation and entertainment, increasing your home’s value and appeal.

1. Why stain your deck?

Your home’s deck can be a venue for family gatherings, morning coffees, and evening relaxation. That is why protecting it from possible damage over time is essential. Protecting your home’s deck with quality staining can significantly prevent the adverse effects of moisture, UV rays, mold, and wear.

a. Moisture

When exposed to moisture, wood can bend, warp, and eventually rot. Moist wood can swell, making gaps between boards narrower. These deformations on your wood can damage your deck’s beauty and functionality. Moisture can soften the wood, significantly weakening your deck and reducing functionality and safety if exposure to standing water is prolonged. The build-up of water on your deck has a long-term effect, which can cause problems in the future. With proper deck staining, we can repel water and prevent it from seeping into the woods, preserving it for longer.

b. UV Rays

Constant UV exposure can shorten your deck’s lifespan. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can break down the fibers in the wood, causing your wooden deck to weaken and deteriorate. Excessive exposure to sunlight can also cause wood to crack, warp, and cup. These damages can cause the deck’s uneven surface to pose a tripping hazard to users. Addressing UV damage promptly with quality deck staining will help maintain your deck’s appeal, longevity, and user safety.

c. Mold

Damp wood can eventually develop mold and mildew. A wooden deck with molds starts to get softer and weaker over time, which can compromise its structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. 

Fig. 1. Moldy wooden deck on Nashville, TN

d. Wear

While wood ages and is constantly used, its strength may deteriorate. Scratches and dents damage the natural beauty of your wood. Staining your deck reduces the need for frequent repairs and replacements due to wear and tear. Maintaining your deck with quality stain helps preserve its beauty, longevity, and structural soundness.

Well-maintained outdoor spaces increase your home’s aesthetic appeal and market value. If you plan to resell your home, a beautifully stained deck can be a significant selling point for potential buyers.

2. Choosing the right stain for your deck material.

Staining is a customizable process, allowing you to explore all the hues and grains for your wood to suit your taste and style. However, choosing the right stain is crucial in highlighting the wood’s natural color and beauty. Your deck stain must complement your home’s exterior to increase your home’s aesthetic value. Applying the wrong shade and finish on your deck can damage its aesthetic appeal. Professional deck staining services can help you choose the right stain to match your home’s style, making your outdoor space more attractive.

Fig. 2. Choosing the right shade of stain is key in achieving seamless deck repairs

3. The deck staining process: Prep, application, and drying

The proper deck staining is crucial in maintaining your deck’s beauty and functionality. Effective deck maintenance starts with preparing, applying, and drying your wooden deck stain.

a. Preparation

Inspecting your deck should be part of your deck maintenance routine. When staining your deck, ensure that all boards are even and flat. Repair and replace loose boards and protruding nails, and scrape or sand all peeled-off old stains. These preemptive measures will help avoid rework of your deck staining.

Fig. 3. Newly replaced and installed deck supports prior to staining in Nashville, TN by Modern Handymen

Regular cleaning, such as removing leaves, dirt, and debris, is essential in deck maintenance. Most debris can be wiped away with regular cleaning. When it is time to stain your deck, cleaning will be much easier when regularly cleaned. However, deep cleaning should be done through pressure washing to prepare your deck for staining. Avoid intensive scrubbing or pressure washing that damages your deck’s wood surfaces. Pressure cleaning should be controlled so that it is just enough to wash away the dirt that fills the porous wood surface. Proper surface preparation of your deck is key to achieving excellent results in deck staining.

b. Application

Before applying the stain, plan your starting and stopping points to ensure easy entry and exit on your deck. This will prevent you from being trapped in a corner. Tape the termination of your deck to the wall to protect the adjacent walls from unnecessary stains. You can use a stirrer and paint-pad tray to mix the stain evenly. Apply an even coat of stain from the paint-pad tray to the entire surface of your deck.

Fig. 4. A fresh coat of stain applied by Modern Handymen on a wooden deck

c. Drying

Different types of stains are available in the market, usually water-based, oil-based, or epoxy-based. There are also deck stains, which are transparent, semi-transparent, tinted, or solid. Each type of deck stain has a specific drying characteristic. Oil-based and epoxy-based stains take longer to dry than water-based stains. The type of wood used in your deck and how many coats of stain are applied can also affect your stain’s drying time. It will be safe to allow your applied deck stain to dry for 24 hours before placing furniture on it or using it to ensure enough curing time.

4. Signs it’s time to re-stain your deck.

Your wooden deck can show several signs indicating that it needs re-staining. Some of the usual clear signs that it’s time to re-stain your deck include:

a. Faded color

b. Presence of mildew and mold

c. Discoloration or stains on wood

d. Splinters and cracks on wood

e. Frequent cleaning and maintenance requirements

Most of these signs are easy to spot. Once you observe these signs on your wooden deck, your deck needs your attention to re-stain.

5. How professional staining ensures better results and longer-lasting protection

Not every homeowner knows the right stain on their deck and its correct application method. However, deck staining professionals know the right stain to apply for every deck material and condition. Deck staining experts can assess the current state of your deck and recommend further solutions to improve its aesthetic appeal and longevity. On top of their meticulous performance in deck staining, they can offer you the convenience and peace of mind you need, knowing that your deck improvements are in the expert’s hands.

A freshly stained deck goes beyond adding beauty and durability to your wooden structure. It brings relaxation and comfort to your home through your improved outdoor space. A beautiful wooden deck is an investment any homeowner would never regret.

Fig. 5. A beautiful full deck replacement in Tennessee by Modern Handymen

Modern Handymen can provide you with tailored solutions for your deck staining needs. Modern Handymen is a team of professionals that offers expert service and quality products, which makes it one of the leading wood staining contractors in Nashville, TN. Call Modern Handymen at 615-200-8071 to let your deck staining plans come to reality. Protect your deck and enhance your outdoor space—schedule your deck staining with us today.