Whether your deck is made of Pressure Treated Pine or Cedar, you still need to help it along to protect it from the elements. While both types of wood are rot and bug resistant, maintain the durability and appearance of the wood by staining them with a high quality wood stain on a regular basis.
Deck and Fence Staining Process
The most important step in staining a fence or deck is to first pressure wash the wood. Getting the surface smooth and clean through pressure washing offers a smooth surface for applying the stain. Even if the lumber is brand new, it should be pressure washed to remove the “mill scale,” the crushed grain that occurs during the milling process. If the wood is not first pressure washed – whether old or new – it is likely that the stain will not properly penetrate the surface of the wood.
Options For Stain: Oil vs. Latex
The two options for wood stain bases are either oil or latex. Each type of stain has its own pros and cons, but Three Brothers prefers to apply latex stain. These stains are just as durable and long lasting as oil-based stains, but they contain no solvents, have better resistance to weathering, and are easier on the environment.
If you’re looking to breathe new life into an old deck or fence or stain a newly built fence, don’t hesitate to contact Three Brothers Painting in Woodstock, GA.
Photo courtesy of Flickr.