A deck is a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. To keep a deck looking its best, it’s important to use a deck stain to protect the wood from UV rays, moisture, and scuffs.

Why Should You Stain Your Deck?

A deck is a horizontal surface, making it more prone to damage from things like rain, snow, sunlight, and foot traffic. Protecting it with a wood deck stain can prevent cracking, warping, fading, and blistering. A deck stain and sealer product provides moisture protection and is designed to prolong the lifespan and beauty of the deck when applied every few years as part of regular maintenance.

Types of Deck Stains

Stain for decks is offered in the following opacities: solid, semi-transparent, and translucent. Each is slightly different in its appearance, level of protection, and maintenance requirements. Transparent or semi-transparent stains are lighter in color and allow more of the wood grain to show through. They don’t provide as much protection as a darker stain, so they may need to be maintained more often. Transparent or semi-transparent stains work well on new decks and areas of limited sun exposure. A solid stain soaks deeper into the wood and shows less of the wood itself. These are more UV- and water-resistant and recommended for older decks that require more protection. 

Deck Stain Features to Consider

All deck stains are not created equal. Some are easier to apply, while others may hold up better over time. Depending on the climate, features like UV resistance, mildew resistance, waterproofing, or enhanced color retention may be important. 

A crucial step before beginning any staining project is to measure the area to be stained. Deck stain products provide an estimate of the amount of square footage covered with one gallon of stain.

Maintenance & Reapplication

Some manufacturers recommend staining a deck every year, but it is more common to stain every 2-3 years. Factors like weather exposure, foot traffic, and the type of stain will determine which timeframe is accurate. If the deck appears to have color variation in different areas or if water poured on it does not pool, it is likely time to reapply stain. In between stainings, routine cleaning and minor touch-ups can keep the deck looking its best. 

There is a deck stain for every project, and Do it Best has quality choices at a great value.