Can I seal my deck without staining?

Conversely, clear sealants offer little to no UV resistance, while the pigment in many stains can act as a UV barrier for the wood. To protect your deck from both moisture and sun damage, you need to first stain it, then follow that with a clear sealant.

Is it OK not to stain a deck?

Staining a deck will lead to less work in the future. One of the main reasons the professionals don't recommend staining wood decks is because of the amount of time and energy involved. Stains don't generally last more than a year. This means yearly cleaning, staining and, if necessary, sanding of your deck every year.

Can you just seal a deck?

Sealant, stain, and paint can all be applied to a deck for different degrees of protection. Sealants are primarily used to protect against moisture damage.

How can I protect my deck without staining it?

The best preventative measure you can take to protect your wooden deck is to use wood sealant. Clear wood sealants are a great way to maintain the natural beauty and wood grain while still preventing damage from rot, mold, and other weathering.

Is it better to stain or water seal a deck?

Although a wood stain is more expensive than a sealer, it can last up to 5 times longer and looks more professional. So you certainly get your money's worth. Here at DeckMaster™, we recommend using wood stains for your deck and fence maintenance.

How To Protect Your Deck | Never Sand Again!

How long will a deck last without stain?

After 6 months, the wood will start to lose its color and will begin to fade. Ultimately it will fade to grey or silver.

Should I pressure wash my deck before I seal it?

Pressure washing is the best way to prepare your deck for sealing. After you've pressure washed your deck, you'll need to wait for it to completely dry. Sometimes, this can take as long as 48-hours. Once it's dry, you'll want to sand your deck lightly.

What happens if you don't stain a wood deck?

Your Deck Will Lose its Luster

Over time, the sun's rays will dull and fade the finish. When this happens, a fresh coat of stain can quickly restore your deck's beauty. If you decide to leave your deck alone instead, expect the loss of color and shine to progress until your deck takes on a gray-ish, green-ish hue.

Should I seal the underside of my deck?

If you stain the underside of your deck you create a barrier to moisture; however, this can actually trap moisture into your boards and cause them to rot at an alarming rate. This is because when you stain the underside of your deck, water can still get in from the nail or screw heads on the surface.

How do I protect my wooden deck naturally?

How long does deck sealer last?

When Should I Reseal My Deck? You should reapply wood sealer at least every three years. In many cases, you need to seal a wood deck once a year. The more foot traffic and sun exposure your deck gets, the more often you need to apply deck sealant.

What time of year should I seal my deck?

The ideal outside temperatures for deck sealing are between 50 and 90 degrees. Usually, late summer and early fall are the best times for deck restoration and sealing.

How many coats of sealer should you put on a deck?

The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much as the wood can absorb. Typically this will be 2 coats, unless you are dealing with extremely dense hardwoods which may only be able to absorb 1 coat of wood stain.

Why don't you stain a new deck?

New wood is suggested to dry since it has a high moisture content. This reduces the stain's ability to penetrate. The wood will dry and turn gray from the exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. After 3-12 months you would need to apply a wood deck cleaner to remove the gray wood cells.

What happens if you dont oil your deck?

What can Happen when Regular Deck Oiling isn't Performed? If regular oiling and maintenance is not performed on your deck, there can be some unpleasant consequences. In most circumstances, it's just a case of natural deterioration over time resulting in fading, warping and weakening of the timber.

Can you seal a deck without cleaning it?

You Will Need to Wash, Repair, and Sand First

You'll want to start with a clean slate, so your first step is to clean your deck thoroughly before sealing. Brush away dust and debris and use a utility brush to get at any problem areas. If you have an old layer of sealant or paint, you'll want to lightly sand this away.

Is it better to seal a deck in the spring or fall?

Fall Weather Keeps Your Deck Dry for Applying a Stain

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.

What is the best thing to seal a deck with?

What is the best way to apply deck sealer?

Apply the deck sealer with a natural bristle brush. A roller is faster, but brushing helps force the sealer into open pores and grain. Make sure to get the sealer into joints where two boards butt together. Apply the deck sealer to three or four boards at once, working their entire length.

Is it worth staining an old deck?

Step 5 – Staining.

It's worth it! For weathered wood with lots of cracks and splinters, I recommend a product like Behr Deckover to fill those cracks and resurface the deck.

What time of year should you stain your deck?

Because you want to wait for days that aren't excessively hot or humid, the best times to apply deck stains are in the late spring and early fall, when the weather is moderately warm and dry. Check the weather and find a time when it's not expected to rain for two days before and following the deck treatment.

Is it better to brush or roll stain on a deck?

The first and most obvious reason to roll on deck stain as opposed to brushing it on is that the former allows you to cover a much larger surface area in less time. Rollers are wider, more efficient, and easier to operate. Additionally, using a roller helps you achieve a smoother finish.

What is the average cost of deck sealing?

Hiring a handyman, contractor, or deck company to clean and seal a deck average about $2-$3.50 sq. ft. ($300-$525 for a 10'x15′ deck or $640-$1,120 for 16'x20′), depending on local rates, deck condition, the height and location of the deck, and the number of levels, railing, stairs, and other components.

What happens if it rains after sealing deck?

If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off.

What happens if you dont wash your deck before staining it?

But don't just slap a coat of stain on in a hurry — you'll need to clean your deck before staining it. If you stain a deck without cleaning and prepping it first, the results will look blotchy, uneven, and, well, amateur. Any time you save skipping the cleaning stage, you'll spend twice over repairing the botched job.