Exterior Wood And Deck Help, Reviews, Advice, & Tips

I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in clear wood sealers. My reviews and help tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top product choices. See here for more info about me. What is the Best Deck Sealer in 2024? What is the Best Deck Sealer for my exterior wood? This is a popular question I receive on DeckStainHelp.com. Deck Sealers typically come in two types: a clear sealer and a lightly pigmented Transparent Deck Sealer. Both types are penetrating and will thoroughly soak into the wood. In this article about the Best Deck …

I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior semi-solid wood and decking stains. My reviews and help tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top product choices. See here for more info about me. What are Semi-Solid Deck Stains? See my Deck Stain Facts section with over 150 simple Q&A articles that answer all your questions regarding deck staining, cleaning, and prep. I have been using deck stains for 25+ years and reviewing them on DeckStainHelp.com since 2012. In the past 5+ years, I have used more and more semi-solid stains and colors. …

I’m Scott Paul, an exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience specializing in solid-color wood stains. My reviews and tips are based on years of hands-on experience with various wood restoration projects, designed to help you find the best product for your needs. See here for more info about me. What are the Best Solid Color Deck Stains Some new solid-color stains have made their way onto the market in recent years, and they’re outperforming older options thanks to technological advancements. In the past, solid deck stains often faced issues with peeling and wearing down, but the newer formulations show far less wear and are much more durable in real-world conditions. Keep reading for an …

Building a deck is an excellent way to add functional outdoor space, enhance the look of your home’s exterior, and potentially increase its value. In all my years of helping people with decks and wood staining, I know the wood you choose is critical to your deck’s aesthetics and longevity. But there is no simple answer regarding the “best” wood to use. You should evaluate them based on your unique circumstances, such as aesthetic preferences, climate, budget, maintenance requirements, and more. I’ll help guide you through understanding the various types of wood, avoiding common pitfalls, some pre-staining tips, and the best maintenance practices. Why Choosing the Right Wood Matters for Exterior Decks As I said, constructing a high-quality deck requires …

At DeckStainHelp, we know staining is a critical maintenance task for the long-term preservation, protection, and appearance of wood decks. Deck stains can highlight the natural appearance of the wood, hide minor imperfections, and create a protective barrier against the potentially damaging effects of sunlight, water, dirt, mold, and mildew. But how do you decide which product you need? Deck stains are categorized according to their opacity: transparent (clear), semi-transparent, semi-solid, or solid. Further, deck stains are either water-based (acrylic) or oil-based. To help understand the differences, I’ll specifically compare solid (opaque) vs. semi-transparent stains for decks and explain the factors to consider when choosing between them. What is Solid Deck Stain? Before diving into the battle of solid vs …

For years now, TWP has been the brand of choice when it comes to professionals. TWP® stands for “Total Wood Protectant” and has been distributed for over 25 years. Offering Superior Protection from UV discoloration, rotting, and water, TWP® Wood Care, and Deck Stains can be used on virtually any exterior wood surface. Brand new is the TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series Stain! Available in 30 Custom Colors, the TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series will keep your wood beautiful, fresh, and looking new longer! The ease of application and maintenance will allow you to enjoy your investment for years to come. TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series provides a broad spectrum of weather protection, is water repellent, and aids in color retention. TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series resists water absorption that causes …

Hi, I am Scott Paul. I have been prepping and stripping exterior wood decks since 1993. To save time and money, we started using Restore-A-Deck prep and stains. These products allow my team to finish the entire deck restoration on the same day! See here for more info about me. Tips on Restoring Your Deck in One Day See our Deck Stain Facts section, which includes over 150 simple Q&A articles that answer all your questions about deck staining, cleaning, and prep. In recent years, a few new deck and wood stains have come to the market, allowing you to prep and stain your deck on the same day. As contractors in the deck restoration business, this allows us to …

Wood and Deck Stain Question & Answer Videos See our Deck Stain Facts section with over 150 simple Q&A articles that answer all the questions that you have regarding deck staining, cleaning, and prep. Use our search to find deck staining and prepping facts.   Deck Stain Facts Videos Short videos answering the most popular deck stain Questions and Answers to the most common deck staining and prepping inquiries that we receive, making it easier for the consumers to search and find what they are looking for. We will be constantly adding new Q&A videos as needed when new deck restoration questions arise.

How Long Do Wood Decks Last? There is no deck wood that lasts forever, as these structures are subjected to harsh exterior elements. For example, your deck potentially faces ultraviolet (UV) sunlight, rain, snow, ice, mold, mildew, bird droppings, and wood-destroying insects. A wood deck’s life expectancy may vary based on the type of material used, the quality of materials, your local climate, and how well the structure is maintained. Typical Lifespan of a Wood Deck: What to Expect How long should a wood deck last? The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) estimates that wood deck planks should last 15+ years, composite planks from 8 to 25 years, and wood used for structural support from 10 to 30 …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood. My application reviews and help tips are based on my history as a wood and deck restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top product choices and advice. See here for more info about me. As a homeowner, proper care is critical for preserving a deck, which includes staining it every two to three years. During that process, there’s always a budget to consider, begging the question, “How much does it cost to stain a wood deck?” To help answer this, I’ve put together the following guide. Key Takeaways In the following, …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in new deck staining and prep. My tips for staining a new deck are based on my extensive hands-on experience as a wood and deck restoration contractor. I’ve tested and worked with a wide range of products, so I can guide you toward the top choices that will ensure the best results for your deck.See here for more info about me. Staining a New Deck in 2025 DeckStainHelp.com has earned its reputation as the go-to website for all things related to exterior wood surface restoration. One important tip I always recommend is waiting at least 3 months before staining new wood …

Hi! I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood staining and restoration. My simple deck stain facts and tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor. See here for more info about me. Question: Which Deck Stain Lasts the Longest? My Pro Advice On Longest Lasting Stain No deck stain can last forever. The best you will get on a horizontal deck surface is 2-3 years and 4-7 years on vertical surfaces like wood railings and wood-sided homes. Since nothing lasts forever, you really should be asking, “Which Deck Stain is Easiest to Maintain” while giving the longest life possible. Why Penetrating Deck Stains …

Hi! I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood staining and restoration. My simple deck stain facts and tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor. See here for more info about me. Question: Why is Deck Stain Not Beading? Deck stains come in many different opacities, including transparent, Semi-Transparent, and Solid Colors. All deck stains act as a sealant that protects the wood from weather, moisture, and UV rays. They help lock out moisture and reduce water intrusion. I often get a question at DeckStainHelp.com: “Why does my deck stain not bead water, and what should I do?” Myth About Deck Stains Beading …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, an exterior wood restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience stripping and removing exterior wood and solid-color deck stains. See here for more info about me. Removing a Solid Color Deck Stain Solid (Opaque) deck stains are not transparent and will cover the wood fully, masking the wood grain. Once applied, a solid color deck stain or paint will film on top of the wood, and because of this, they can be prone to peeling over time. One question I often get at DeckStainHelp.com is how to remove a solid-color deck stain or paint back down to the wood’s natural grain so a penetrating semi-transparent stain can be used. There are a …

Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck staining and prep. My reviews and help tips are based on my history as a wood and deck restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top product choices. See here for more info about me My Prepping Tips for Solid Color Deck Stain Reapplication Solid (Opaque) deck stains do not show the wood but cover it entirely, masking the wood grain. Once you apply a solid decking stain, you may never be able to go back to a transparent stain unless you want to power sand heavily or use a paint stripper …

Hi! I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood staining and restoration. My simple deck stain facts and tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor. See here for more info about me. Before staining a deck, you need to figure out the deck’s total square footage. Once this calculation is considered, you can figure out how many gallons of deck stain you need by reading the coverage rate of the stain you are buying. On average, most deck stains cover 150-300 sq. ft. per gallon (per coat), depending on the age, condition, and porosity of the wood. Question: How to Calculate Deck Stain …

Hi! I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood staining and restoration. My simple deck stain facts and tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor. See here for more info about me. Question: Can you Paint Over a Deck Stain? My Pro Advice on Painting Over a Deck Stain No, you should never use paint on a deck, as it will lead to peeling and be a huge burden to fix. If you want a solid, opaque appearance, then use a solid-color deck Stain. Solid-color deck stains are designed to penetrate and adhere better to a horizontal deck surface but will also give …

Exterior Wood and Deck Staining Help and How-To Videos DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to site for all things exterior wood and deck restoration-related. New for 2024 are our exterior wood and deck restoration how-to videos. We will add more How-To Videos throughout the year. Please subscribe to our video channel for new videos as they come out. If you have a request for a deck restoration how-to video, please ask in the comment area below and we will consider getting this on our to-do list.