This post was updated on May 1, 2024
How To Stain a New KDAT Deck
DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to site for all things wood deck restoration-related. As before, we recommend you wait 1-2 months to stain new 2024 KDAT wood surfaces to allow the wood to weather, creating an ideal porous surface that will hold the stain better. We encourage customer interaction on our site, so if you have stained a new KDAT surface, we want to hear from you. Feel free to leave us a comment with pictures of your projects if you have them.
When to Stain a New KDAT (Kiln Dried Wood)
Deck? Right away or wait?
Although pressure-treated lumber is protected against fungi and insects, regular maintenance is required to achieve optimal weather protection. Staining and occasionally refinishing the wood will ensure your wood project will be enjoyed for years to come.
However, when pressure-treated, or other types of wood are new there is a waiting period of 3-6 months when using most stain brands. The wood has to season before you can stain or seal it. New wood has a high moisture content. As the wood dries out it shrinks and becomes more porous. Some weather damage can occur during this seasoning period but staining new wood too soon can lead to staining performance issues as trapped moisture will wreak havoc.
A way around this issue is to use KDAT (Kiln-Dried After Treatment) lumber. Moisture is removed from the lumber prior to arriving at the lumberyard. The advantage of KDAT lumber is that you can stain or seal it much sooner. Because all the moisture has been previously removed, the wood will not shrink or need as much time to season. Basically, it is like seasoned wood that has not had to season naturally and has been susceptible to the elements. You will need to prep the surface though with a deck cleaner and wood brightener before staining. This will help remove any mill glaze. We also suggest only applying 1 coat of stain to the new KDAT wood.
Best Tips and Steps for Staining New KDAT Decking
- Install wood first. Wait for 1-2 months of weathering.
- Prep wood with a deck cleaner and wood brightener to remove mill glaze and or open grain for the stain.
- Choose a stain such as Armstrong Clark. This allows maximum penetration into the wood grain.
- Apply only 1 coat of the stain.
- Apply a light maintenance coat 9-18 months down the road.
Stain new KDAT decking within 1-2 months after installation for the best results. No need to let the wood weather longer. Staining a new KDAT deck properly will allow you to enjoy your new deck for many years.
Best Water-Based Deck Stain for New Wood | The Easiest Applying Deck Stain for New Wood | Best Oil-Based Deck Stain for New Wood |
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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Staining a New Deck Tips Video – DeckStainHelp.com
Any Questions on Staining New KDAT Wood? Ask Below.
Hi, I have a customer we’re building a deck for this week. We were planning to use KDAT decking but they just told us they won’t be staining it until next year. Will it weather too much between then and now?
It will be fine.
I live in N.W. Georgia and built a new KDAT deck. Project was completed August 1, planning to stain deck at end of November, but I’m concerned about it being too cold. Should I wait until spring? (9 months after deck completion) or just proceed as planned. Thank you.
Either way is fine. If you stain now, make sure temps are above 50.
I provided olympic clear sealer to my decking contractor to seal the end cuts. 1000sq ft 2 level upper level is picture framed as the lower part is.. top 2/3 complete .. but when he applied sealer to cut ends almost all ends have 1-3″ of sealer
On the top as well.. I planned to use a transparent stain will I now have a problem with staining the ends? Won’t it look darker ?.. if so p,ease advise.. thanks
Yes, it will probably not blend. You will need to strip it off and then brighen the wood. BTW, you cannot stain the new wood yet as the above article explains.
MY KDAD WOOD CAME WITH A LIGHT CHERRY STAIN ON IT, CAN I SEAL IT RIGHT AWAY?
No, you can never apply a sealer over a deck stain. It will peel.
I had new kdat deck put in April. I have not had time to stain the deck, now its October and won’t have time to do until April of next year 2021 because it’s getting cold.. Is this a problem? What can I do ?
Thank you
Sharyn Acampora
Just prep and stain in the Spring.
The Yellawood KDAT website and rep say to stain prior to or immediately after installation. But you seem to be saying wait 1-2 months for weathering. I live in Florida and we have regular rain storms and I am concerned about the wood losing the benefiyt of already having been dried. What is you best advice? Please send response also to meplunkett454@gmail.com
Yes, it needs to weather for 1-2 months and then be prepped.
You didn’t answer my question. How do you prepare KDAT deck SPINDLES.
Yes, we did. See below.
I just recently re-stained my deck and in the process discovered that I needed to rebuild the railing. I will be installing a new rail with KDAT and cable railing this weekend and will let the new wood weather one to two months as advised. Once the railing is ready to be stained how would you recommend prepping the railing for stain (cleaner, brightener, etc.) while not damaging the stain on the deck floor. I just re-stain the deck for a few weeks ago and would prefer not to strip it down and redo the whole thing.
Clean and brighten the rails. The prep should not harm the floors as long as you do not use a bleach-based cleaner.
Building a deck. Understand the logic of waiting 1 to 2 months for wood to weather and become more pourous. How do you eliminate the scratches and dings that will occure during that time period, prior to staining, since sanding isn’t an option.?(You’d have to wait for the wood to weather again). Won’t the scratches be more prominent when the stain is applied? I’m not doubting you guys at all. Just wondering if there is a solution to this problem. Maybe the answer is that it’s a deck, and not an interior floor. Appriciate your feedback.
There is not a way to stop any scratches or dings and honestly, they are going to continue after you stain anyhow. It will be part of your deck no matter what so best to just not be concerned about them.
We have a KDAT deck that was installed several months ago. It is inside a screened porch and has been covered with cardboard. The bottom surface of the deck is exposed to the air but not water or sun. Am I safe applying Defy Extreme or do I need to expose the boards that have been covered with cardboard for some time, and if so, how much time? Thanks
Expose the wood for 1-2 months and then prep and stain.
I’m in the process of installing KDAT decking and have completed one section already. Since installation, it has rained and several the boards, previously pristine and uncracked/unsplit, have now started to crack and split (presumably from absorbing water and drying out. Guidance here is to let a new KDAT deck season for a couple of months before staining/sealing but seems like that will subject the wood to more water and potential splitting. Why isn’t prepping, staining, and sealing immediately or ASAP after installation a better approach and wouldn’t doing so be more likely to prevent the boards from splitting due to moisture absorption/drying if done before being exposed to rain over a period of time?
Splits and cracks are normal for decking and cannot be prevented no matter if stained right away or not. They are not a big deal and nothing to worry about.
As for why not to stain right away, it will not take and will fail. All stain manufacturers suggest waiting for the wood to become porous and you have to prep to remove mill glaze and oxidation after. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
I purchased kiln dried premium wood on 5/1/20 and started to stain it June 14, 2020. We power washed it 5 days ago and attempting to stain TWP 116 Rustic. It appears splotchy and not absorbing stain well. I used roller and went over it with a brush. Still splotchy. What type of roller should I use? I used Wooster Pro 3/8″ semi smooth for paints and stains. Should we wait another month to stain?
Also, is TWP Rustic 116 the same color stain as TWP Rustic Oak 116? . We used TWP rustic oak 116 last year on another deck and it appears more red which we preferred than the current TWP rustic. The new TWP Rustic 116 appears more yellow than the TWP Rustic Oak.
They are the same, no difference in color or formula. You should stop and wait until fall to prep and stain. Use their Gemini Restore Kit for the prep. Rollers do not work well, use a stain pad or brush,
If I use RAD 2 step process again, how do I keep from removing most of the stain that’s already on the deck? That’s what happened when I used it before the second staining. It took off so much stain that it looked like I had never stained it in the first place.
What type of brush should I use to scrub the deck?
There is nothing wrong with a deep cleaning when recoating with the same brand. This is the best way for performance anyhow. Any scrub brush will work. Most pressure wash.