A: It's really up to you. Just staining the deck will give you the color you want, although in high-traffic areas the stain could wear away quickly. The advantage of this, they say, is the sealer provides additional protection against water and weather damage, while the stain helps reduce fading from UV rays.
Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result. A good deck cleaner can remove the gray fibers, dirt, mold, mildew and other impurities deep in the wood.
It may be many years before an untreated deck becomes completely unusable. However, a deck that is properly sealed and maintained with a yearly maintenance program consistently outlive a deck that is left to its own devices by a significant margin.
A properly maintained deck made of engineered lumber can last 20 to 50 years.
Whatever type of stain you use, apply two coats to ensure there are no missed spots and to get a more uniform finish.
Often a pressure-washer can effectively clean a deck with just plain water. However, a pressure washer can ruin your deck if it's not used properly. If you use it with too much jet pressure or place the tip too close to the surface of your deck, you can deeply etch the wood and cause the fibers to splinter.
If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to displace the stain. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off.
Because stain requires a dry deck for a secure application, a week of dry fall weather is ideal for staining your deck than in summer or spring humidity. More specifically, the moderate temperatures of early fall are optimal for staining, as the later fall weeks may bring colder days that are too chilly for your stain.
A deck sealer is typically a clear or transparent finish that either penetrates into the wood or forms a clear film on top. A deck stain has the same water-resistant qualities that a deck sealer does. A deck stain, however, has added pigment or tone, which gives the stain some color.
It is so important to allow the wood to dry fully before applying any type of sealant or treatment to the deck. If moisture gets trapped in the wood, it can weaken it over time and lead to mold growth. The deck needs several days of dry weather after pressure washing in order to fully dry out.
1. BEST OVERALL: SEAL-ONCE MARINE Penetrating Wood Sealer. SEAL-ONCE MARINE Penetrating Wood Sealer is a clear water-based sealer, but it provides the protection you'd expect from an oil-based stain, penetrating right down into the wood fibers for long-lasting protection against moisture damage and mold growth.
A 12x12 deck costs $226 to $582 to stain when paying someone, or $59 to $176 to stain it yourself. A gallon of stain costs $20 to $50, which covers 200 to 300 square feet.
Below are a few quick tips to ensure long lasting beauty.
- Keep it clear – Sweep your deck regularly of leaves, snow, and debris.
- Keep it clean – Hose your deck at least 1-2 times per year and use a brush if needed. You don't need to pressure clean the surface.
- Keep substrate clear and cut away from your deck.
The cost to stain your deck typically ranges from $540 to $1,050 with an average of just over $700. This equates to an average cost of $2 to $4 per square foot for labor and materials. Higher-quality stains will run up the price, as will washing or sealing the wood prior to staining.
Frequency. Most home maintenance contractors recommend power washing your deck once a year. An annual wash will keep your deck in optimal condition, cutting down on accumulation of dirt, mildew, or algae growth.
Deck stains can be applied in several different ways. Using a pump-up garden sprayer and roller are two popular methods. Regardless of how you apply your wood stain, keep a paint brush at hand. A paint brush will work the stain deep in to the pores of a board.
You should use a roller brush or sprayer to apply a steady coat of quality stain, such as Olympic Elite stains or Olympic MAXIMUM stains. If you see that too much wood stain has been used in an area, use a roller or brush to fix the imperfections.
1. Staining over stain is easy and works beautifully if your applying a dark stain over a lighter stain on raw wood. 2. You can mix 2 or more stains together to make DIY custom stains.
Buyer's Guide: Deck Stain
- BEST OVERALL: Cabot Australian Timber Oil.
- BEST FOR OLD DECKS: SaverSystems #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain.
- BEST FOR NEW DECKS: Ready Seal Redwood Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer.
- HONORABLE MENTION: CABOT Semi-Solid Deck Stain.
Stain ChoicesDon't use solid stain on a deck or any surface you want to walk on because it's too thin and won't hold up. You can use solid stain over existing solid or semi-transparent stain, but semi-transparent stain over solid stain will look strange and won't last. Don't skimp on stain quality.
A good stain will protect the lignin with inhibitors that reflect or absorb UV and so combat sun damage. If a deck has gone too long without being stained, odds are that the lignin has suffered UV damage and you'll just be coating cellulose fibers that will quickly wear off - taking the stain with them.
