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Deck Stain Help

What is the Best Deck Stain?

Update for 2018 on What is the Best Deck Stain: This is the updated version of our most popular article on DeckStainHelp.com. We help by guiding consumers in finding a high quality and low maintenance deck stain based on a series of questions. This article alone had had almost 15,000 Q&A questions and over 400 Star Rating/Reviews to date. We will be updating this article by including some answers to our most popular questions.

Please visit our updated article here: The Best Deck Stains?

What is the Best Deck Stain?

This is the most popular question that deck owners have. Unfortunately, there is not a “best” deck stain out there. There are products that are better than others, but there is not one that will outperform every other stain.

A better way to approach this common question is to ask, “what is the best stain for my deck and it’s environment”? Just because a deck stain performs well in the Northeast part of the country does not mean it will perform well in the high altitudes of Arizona. There are also VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Laws the come into effect for different parts of the country. This may limit what is available in your state. For example, TWP 100 Series cannot be used in 17 states that have a low VOC content of 250.

To understand a deck stain and its potential longevity, we should first look at the main reasons deck stains fail:

UV rays from the sun will damage the wood resulting in degradation of the wood cell structure. This will break down the stain while causing the wood to oxidize (turn gray).
Water, snow, and ice will cause damage to the wood by breaking down the exposed cellular structure.
Freeze/thaw will expand and contract the wood resulting in the stain “bond” with the wood cells to fail.
Mold, mildew, and algae will leave the wood unsightly/dirty and can result in rotting.
High traffic areas will leave “wearing” patterns.
The previous stain used was of low quality or applied poorly.
The Stain was not applied properly or the wood was not prepped properly prior to application. Bad prep is the number one reason stains prematurely fail!

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Deck Stains

Update 2018 Please read this article and post any questions you have in the comment are below. Our newly enhanced website now offers the ability to upload and post pictures of your exterior wood or deck.

Deck stains have not changed much in the past few years. Many brands have gone away from oil based stains to water based, but you are still able to use oil based stains in all US States and Canada. We currently restore about 300-400 decks annually, and our favorites are the penetrating semi-transparent and semi-solids.

We have been getting great feedback here at www.deckstainhelp.com from all of the consumers who have been looking for better stain alternatives for their deck restoration. Our most popular article, “What is the Best Deck Stain” has quickly become the number one article on the web for asking questions and getting answers on restoring your exterior wood and deck.

In this article, we are going to cover what actually is a “Deck Stain”. We will compare the many different types of decking stain options available and what are the positives and negatives of each.

Deck Stains

Deck stains are used to protect and preserve your exterior wood. They offer UV protection, water repellency, mold and mildew resistance, etc. Deck coatings come in many different types of opacity and bases. Many deck stain brands can be restricted in certain states, cities, and counties based on their VOC laws.

Deck staining can be a “chore” for residential homeowners and unfortunately walking into your local store may produce some of the worst options available. Not all deck stains are created equal and there is not a perfect stain type or brand that will outperform all the others.

Water-Based Deck Stains

Water based deck stains have come on rapidly in the last 4 years. The main reason for the vast amount of water based stains on the market today is related to changes in VOC laws across the country. Many states have adopted or soon will adopt lower VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) regulations. This has prompted stain manufacturers to increase production of water-soluble decking stains. In our opinion, water-based deck stains are “thin” paints with varying amount of acrylic and pigment.

Pros: Water cleanup, less chance of mold or mildew growth. Environmentally friendly.

Cons: Do not penetrate like an oil-base can. Slightly harder to apply as they dry quicker. Can be prone to peeling and wearing. *Defy Stains are the only exception that we have tested. They penetrate the best of all water based stains, nearly as well as an oil.

Oil based Deck Stains

Oil based decking stains have been around for 20-30 years and have been traditionally what all stain manufacturers produce. Oil based stains are typically made up of natural and synthetic oils. Many contain oils: Linseed Oil, Paraffin Oil, Tung Oil, Rosewood Oil, Etc.

Pros: Excellent penetration into wood. The better a deck stain can penetrate, the better the performance. Easier to apply. More natural looking.

Cons: Stronger odors, longer drying and curing time. Some oils can promote the growth of mildew. Some oil-based stains will darken in color over time.

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Staining a Deck in the Spring

Staining a Deck in the Spring 2018 Tips

With the spring thaw comes the resurface of your wood deck. It’s been a tough winter for your deck with temperatures ranging from brutally cold to near-spring warm in a matter of a few days throughout the winter season. With all this stress on the wood, it may be time for you to treat your wood deck to a fresh coat stain.

It is exciting when the weather starts to warm up and you have the urge tackle your deck stain project at the first sign of spring. However, this might be a bad idea. Stop yourself before you run to the store or your web browser to buy your deck stain supplies. Make sure you take a look at the long-term forecast and make sure it won’t rain for the next 48 hours at least and temperatures won’t drop below 50 degrees F. Also, watch out for pollen levels in the area. If pollen lands on your drying deck stain, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew.

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How to Stain a Covered Wood Porch

Update 2018 for How to Stain a Covered Wood Porch

We here at DeckStainHelp.com thank you for your continued support. Without you, we wouldn’t be the internet’s number one reference for all things wood deck restoration related. See this article for tips on how to stain a covered wood porch. If you have stained a covered wood porch, we want to hear about your experience and any tips you may have. Feel free to leave us a comment below.

Covered wood porches add a lot of curb appeal to your home. They also provide a nice outdoor living space out of the sun and rain. The entrance to your home is the first thing guests see so keeping it maintained is important. Covered wood porches do not take as much abuse from the weather because the roof protects them. But they still need to be waterproofed for them to last many years.

To stain a covered wood porch you will first need to clean the wood. Using a wood cleaner and a pressure washer is a great way to prep the wood prior to staining. Follow the directions on the wood cleaner and be careful not to use excessive pressure so the wood is not damaged. If you do not have access to a pressure washer you can also use a soft scrub brush and garden hose. Let the wood cleaner loosen all the contaminants then wash it away. For covered wood porches that have an old stain on them use a wood stripper. This will loosen the existing stain and make it easier to remove.

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How Dry Does the Deck Need to be After Cleaning it to Apply the Stain?

Update for 2018: How Dry Does the Deck Need to be After Cleaning it to Apply the Stain?

Since we published this article, the Restore-A-Deck stain was introduced, allowing for this stain to be applied to a damp deck. For all other brands of stain, we still recommend you wait until the surface has completely dried before applying. We always appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your deck stain projects.

The first step in deck restoration and/or maintenance is to clean and prep the wood. This is the key to a longer lasting finish. Properly prepped wood will allow the deck stain to penetrate and perform to its full potential. So how dry does the deck need to be after cleaning it to apply the stain? Well, that can be measured in several ways.

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Deck Stripping – Removing an Old Deck Stain

Update for 2018: Deck Stripping – Removing an Old Deck Stain

Those who are familiar with deck staining are aware of how important each step of the process is, especially the initial prepping that precedes the stain. In this article, we discuss the importance of using a quality stripper when you have an old coating on your deck you need to remove. We always appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your deck stain projects.

Failing Deck Stain

When it comes to restoring an older wood deck, it’s extremely important to prep the wood correctly. Not doing so can lead to premature failure of the new deck stain. No matter the brand or cost of a deck stain, it will not last as long as it should if it isn’t applied to a perfectly cleaned and prepped surface.

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What is the Worst Deck Stain?

Update 2018 for What is the Worst Deck Stain?

We here at DeckStainHelp.com are proud to be the internet’s number one reference for all things wood deck restoration related. If you have had a negative experience with deck stains, you have come to the right place to warn people. We are always looking for ways to engage with our readers, so we appreciate your input and questions by leaving a comment below.

Have you had a bad experience with a decking stain?

Our most popular article, “What is the Best Deck Stain” has become the #1 article for consumers on the Internet for deck stain questions and answers. We have decided to create an article based on negative consumer feedback and experiences with decking stains.

We are looking for bad experiences with a particular brand of decking stain.

Please include:

1. Brand of Deck Stain

2. Type of Deck Stain (i.e. Solid, Semi-Transparent, Transparent, Semi-Solid)

3. Location and date applied

4. How long did it take for the stain to fail and how did it fail? (Peeling, Turned Black, Mold, Etc)

5. A brief description of your overall negative experience.

Note: This is mostly for fun and to allow you to vent your frustration!

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Staining Undersides of Deck Boards

Update for 2018: Staining Undersides of Deck Boards

Welcome to Deckstainhelp.com, your source for the latest tips, tricks, deck stain industry insights. This is an update for our previously published article, discussing whether or not you should stain the underide of deck boards. We want to hear from you. Leave us a comment and tell is if you recommend staining the underside of deck boards, and why or why not.

Do You Need to Stain the Undersides of a Deck?

Bringing up some debate is whether or not you should stain the undersides of a deck. It is common and advisable to stain the weather-exposed surfaces of a deck to protect them from water and sun damage. But do the undersides of a deck also need to be protected?

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How Much Deck Stain Should I Buy?

Update 2018 for How Much Deck Stain Should I Buy?

DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to site for wood surface staining tips. In this article, we offer insight to answer the conundrum of how much stain you should buy to complete a project. If you have questions on how to estimate the amount of supplies to purchase for a project, feel free to leave us a comment with pictures.

How Much Deck Stain and Prepping Products Should I Buy?

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 depending on the age, condition, and porosity of the wood.

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Pre-staining New Wood Decks Before Install

Update 2018 on Pre-Staining New Wood Decks Before Install

DeckStainHelp.com has become the Internet’s go-to site for professional wood deck staining tips. As before, we recommend you do not stain new wood prior to installation. Instead, wait 3+ months after installation before staining new wood surfaces. This will allow the wood to weather, creating an ideal porous surface that will hold the stain better. We encourage discussion on our site, so feel free to leave a comment.

Should you Pre-stain New Wood Before Install? The simple answer is No.

Wood decks are a great way to add extra outdoor living space to any home. Not only do they provide a place for the family get-togethers, they can add value to your home. Building a new wood deck or replacing some boards on an existing deck obviously requires using new wood. As you probably know the new wood will need to be treated with a wood stain to protect it from the elements. One might tend to think that pre-staining the new wood prior to the install will save some time. Although it would seem that way it is really not a good idea to do so.

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How To Change from Water Based to Oil Based Deck Stains

Update 2018 for How To Change from Water Based to Oil Based Deck Stains

DeckStainHelp.com continues to be a trusted source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics throughout 2018. Water-based stains and oil-based stains have their advantages and disadvantages. If you wish to change from a water-based to oil-based deck stain, or vice versa, here are some suggestions. Any questions? Ask below!

How to Change From Water Based to Oil Based Exterior Decking Stain and Vice Versa

The longevity of a deck or other exterior wood structure depends highly on how well it is maintained. A wood surface left alone or neglected will not last long in the harsh environment. Wood needs to be sealed and protected from moisture, UV rays, mold, mildew and such contaminants that will cause rot and decay. The most common types of wood protectants are oil and water based.

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Deck Staining Temperatures

Update for 2018: Deck Staining Temperatures

We here at Deckstainhelp.com appreciate your loyalty. For 2018 and beyond, we are committed to being your go-to source for deck staining tips. Like last year, we recommend you stain your deck when the temperature is between 45-90 degrees and you are sure it will be a few days with no rain.

The Correct Temperatures for Staining Decks

It is important to know the tolerances a new deck stain will allow without hindering its performance. One of the most crucial areas of concern is with air temperature. Temperatures need to be in the safe zone while the deck stain is being applied and for 8-12 hours after.

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