How to Stain a Deck

Wood Finish is necessary, particularly when the wood is outdoors, to protect it and prevent it from drying or cracking. If the wood isn’t stained, moisture will cause it to swell and change its form. The two main types of finishes are penetrating finishes and surface finishes. Penetrating finishes dry inside the wood and create a more natural look. They are also the easiest to apply. Surface finishes dry on the surface of the wood and don’t look as natural. But, a surface finish is more durable than a penetrating one.

Wood Stain is a chemical that stains (dyes) the wood, so it becomes a different color. Stains come in many shades, so depending on how dark or light you want the wood to end up, you can find one to fit your needs. Unlike paint, which forms a thin film on top of the wood, stain will penetrate the wood and fill in the pores, taking the shape of the material and allowing the grain to stay visible. Therefore, it’s important to first sand the wood and get it ready for staining.

1. The first step is to check the wood and see what kind of condition it’s in. If a board is rotten or heavily damaged, the wood will need to be replaced before anything else is done. No amount of cleaning or finishing can fix a bad piece of wood, so be sure to start out with wood that is strong and healthy.

2. The next step is to clean the deck. Depending on the age and condition of the wood, this could be simple and quick or a lengthy procedure. If you’re deck is new or in good condition, you may just need to use a commercial cleaner and scrub it with a stiff-bristle broom.

Sometimes, this may not be enough and the wood will need to be pressure washed to fully clean it. Pressure washing is a great way to clean decks and patios, removing dirt, stains and debris extremely well. Combining an outdoor cleaner with pressure washing can give you an even better result.

Wood that has previously been painted, has an old finish or has heavy stains and discoloration can be cleaned with a chemical stripper. Chemical stripper will break the finish apart, and then a furniture scraper can be used to scrape off the pieces.

3. Once the wood has been washed and stripped, it’s a good idea to sand the wood down to get it smooth and ready to be stained. Cleaning the wood causes the fibers in the wood to protrude, which makes it rough to the touch and can cause splinters. Sanding down the wood will leave it smoooth and ready for the new stain to be added.

4. Allow the deck to fully dry after cleaning before applying your stain. The deck should be left to dry for 2 days. If there is any water in the pores of the wood, it will make it harder for the stain to penetrate it. Use a natural, bristle brush for the hand rails, trim, and other small areas. For the floor of the deck, you can use a flat paint pad applicator in order to get a fast and even coverage of the whole floor.