My Deck
I am a paint advocate, but sometimes stain is a nice alternative. Stain achieves a natural finish that seals the surface and highlights texture, especially when it is used on certain woods that have pronounced grain patterns. I recently stained my deck in a color called “Cedar”, a popular color on the Cabots stain chart.
Stain not only replenishes a surfaces natural beauty, it protects the wood and prolongs its life. My deck had not been treated for over ten years and after re-finishing, it looks like a new build.
Tips:
1) If the surface needs cleaning, power wash it first. This rids the surface of mildew and dark spots that will become more pronounced with the application of stain.
2) Wait for the surface to dry completely to assure a smooth finish.
3) Apply the stain on a sunny, dry day inside or out.
4) Give the surface at least 24 hours drying time before stepping on it. The stain will appear dry after two, but the full drying time is needed for utter perfection.
