This post was updated on February 29, 2024
2024 for Staining a New Deck
DeckStainHelp.com is the Internet’s number one go-to site for all things exterior wood surface restoration related. As before, we recommend you wait 3+ months to stain new wood surfaces to allow the wood to weather, creating an ideal weathered surface that will hold the stain better. We encourage customer interaction on our site, so feel free to participate in our open discussion.
Best New Wood Deck Stain Water-Based | Best Applying New Wood Deck Stain | Best New Wood Deck Stain Oil-Based |
Months to Weather New Wood: 3 months for both semi-transparent and solid stain colors. | Months to Weather New Wood: 2-3 months for transparent and semi-transparent colors. 12 months for semi-solid. | Months to Weather New Wood: 4 - 12 months for all TWP Series and Colors. |
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Pressure Treated Pine
See here for a more in-depth article on Staining New Decking.
Staining a new deck in 2024 has never been easier. With today’s quality wood cleaners and stains, most anyone can get professional-like results. We have come a long way in wood restoration products and in 2024 most of these products are available to do it yourself homeowners everywhere. With the Internet, most of these products can be shipped directly to your home within days, making a deck staining project easier than ever before.
In addition to excellent deck staining products, the Internet also allows homeowners access to countless how-to articles and tips to help them along the way. Doing a search for deck stain help can lead you to a mountain of information that will educate and prepare you for your deck staining project. From prepping the deck, suggested dry times, stain recommendations, and right down to how to apply the stain there has never been a more opportune time.
We are certainly in the information age and 2024 is only going to give us more of the knowledge we desire. Deck staining may have been a hidden secret in the past but today the info is available to everyone, which is great news for those willing to stain their own decks. Staining a new deck in 2024 can save you money over hiring a professional deck staining company.
If you are willing to do the work involved with staining a new deck, then 2024 is the most informative year we have ever known and the info is there for you to find. Do your research on deck staining, wood cleaning, prep work, and best deck stains and within no time you will be armed with the knowledge you need to get professional results on your deck staining project.
Staining a New Deck Tips Video – DeckStainHelp.com
Deck Stain Help & Questions
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Stain Reviews & Comparisons
I have a new deck, smooth wood, about two months old. It’s in full sunlight and rain, with lots of that in florida! It sounds like you reccomend – Restore a deck cleaner/brightener and then restore a deck stain. Do I need to add a sealer on top after the stain?
No, never apply a sealer over a deck stain. It would peel.
I am redoing my deck and a small portion of it, 5 x 11 feet, is over a basement that has torch on. The boards sit only a couple of inches away from the torch on whereas the rest of the deck has greater air flow. Given the wet climate I live in (Vancouver, BC) would it not be advisable to stain the underside of the boards that sit over the basement?
Also, how does letting the wood sit for 3 months before staining make it more porous?
No need to stain the undersides and the only reason would be for aesthetics. After proper weathering, you prep and that removes the mill glaze and oxidation which opens up the grain of the wood for your stain.
should I sand my Cedar deck before staining or power wash only and if I’m going to sand do I also power wash before or after
No need to sand. Use a deck cleaner and wood brightener while pressure washing.
I just sanded a very large Alaskan yellow cedar deck. About 7 years old . No finish or decking stain ever used on this deck. Client had it bleached and pressure washed. She did not like the results. Bleach spots all over. She liked the silver gray look as it aged. Now it is newly sanded. She is not sure if she should let it age again, or introduce some type of decking stain. I’m not very familiar with this cedar. I sand and refinish floors for a living, but 99 percent of my work , skill and knowledge are on indoor floors. I’d appreciate any feedback on suggestions for staining and maintaining this kind of deck.
Thank you,
Frank
Any of these brands will work well: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
I want a wood fence that is gray in color to somewhat match our gray PCV siding. How is that possible?
Try a semi-transparent stain like the Armstrong Clark in Driftwood Gray.
He long after do u stain a porch with new decking
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
I have one year old treated wood Deck which is in full Sun all day in Michigan what type of stains should I use that would best suit my deck
Use Armstrong Clark in a semi solid color.
One thing I forgot to mentioned that this is next to a swimming pool, will that make a difference with using the Armstrong Clark stain.
No difference.
I have just had new cedar installed on my deck, which is located in southeast/mid Michigan. My deck guy said I can go ahead and seal it right away, rather than waiting like you have to do for pressure treated wood. I also want to keep the color natural for as long as possible. I was going to have him apply Thompson's Water Seal Advanced Waterproofer if I could find it. From reading information on your sight I have some questions: 1) Can I put a deck sealant or clear stain on the cedar boards right away to preserve the clean, clear boards before people and dogs start walking on the deck? 2) If I have to wait what is the shortest period of time and what do I need to do to prep the new boards? 3) What would you recommend I use to treat the wood but keep the natural color of the wood? It sounds like plain sealants aren't a good idea.
1. No you need to wait and prep.
2. Depends on the stain brand you choose.
3. No color in your stain = Zero UV protection for graying. Must have tint. The darker or richer the tint, the longer it will last.
Hi I am replacing my 26 year old red wood deck with douglas fir. How long should I wait and what kind of prep I have to do before I stain the deck? Thanks
Nelson, the answers are in the article. Look at Armstrong Clark. Thanks