Deck maintenance is a vital part of home maintenance. Well-maintained decks not only look great but last longer.
It would be best to stain the deck about every two to three years. The maintenance schedule for your deck can be affected by many factors, including the type of wood used and its current condition.
You deserve a beautiful deck, whether you’re grilling, having a party, or reading a book outside.
Five Star Painting can help you create a deck care routine that will give your deck a beautiful finish. Learn more about the topics below to determine how often you should stain hard surfaces.
- How to stain new decks
- Different types of wood have different drying times
- Pressure-treated wood
- Kiln-dried wood
- Green lumber
- How often should I paint my deck?
- Staining older decks
How to stain a new deck
All new wooden decks need to be painted or stained and dry for 30 days or more before staining or painting them. A finish can be used immediately after construction, but it will require more work. Therefore, it is best to wait until the wood has dried completely before applying a finish.
Remember that this is only a guideline. The timeline will vary depending on your local climate. Wood, for example, cures quicker in a dry environment than in a humid one.
The Drying Time of Different Wood Types
Drying times are also affected by the type of wood used to build your deck. Below, we’ve listed the drying times of popular wood types.
Pressure-Treated Lumber
Before staining or applying any wood treatments, pressure-treated lumber must dry for at least six months. Pouring water onto the boards is a good way to test. If the water beads up, then it is still too moist. Deck staining is ready if the water has soaked in.
Kiln-Dried Lumber
The majority of the lumber you purchase at hardwood stores is kiln-dried. Allow the wood to dry for at least one to two months prior to staining or painting.
Green Lumber
Green lumber is wood that has just been cut. Do not confuse green lumber with anti-rot-treated timber. Greenwood is not the best wood to use (it cracks and warps as it dries). However, some people still use it because it’s readily available. It is recommended that green lumber be allowed to dry for at least an additional year per inch of thickness.
When it comes time to stain the greenwood, it’s important to restore it to its original appearance. The gray color can be removed with a little pressure washing, some scrubbing, and a wood cleaner.
How often do you paint a deck?
If you notice signs of flaking, peeling, or bubbling on your deck, you should repaint it. While paint is great for walls and vertical surfaces like ceilings, it’s not recommended for decks.
No matter how well the wood has been cured, it will shrink and grow at different rates. Paint on wood cannot always keep pace with this process, which is why it peels off more quickly than a stain.
Decks’ horizontal surfaces are subjected to harsh weather conditions (sunlight, snowfall, rain, etc.). Paint is not a good deck finish because it’s exposed to harsh elements 24/7. After your deck is painted, you should perform yearly maintenance by lightly sanding and painting any peeling areas.
Older decks can be stained.
How often should I stain a deck? Many homeowners wonder about this question. To prolong the life of wood and keep it looking good, you should do so every two to three years. Your deck may also need staining if:
- Mold or mildew has grown on the deck.
- The water no longer beads and soaks through the deck boards.
- The color of the stain is fading.
If all the wood on your deck is not stained at the exact same time, it’s hard to achieve a uniform look and color. If the stain wears faster in certain areas, the entire deck needs to be treated. For more information, contact a professional service.