How often should you stain your deck?

Typically, homeowners should restain horizontal surfaces such as decks every two to three years. Poor deck upkeep will decrease the time you have to enjoy the deck before restaining it, while good deck upkeep may give you another year or two before you need to restain the deck.

Can you stain a deck too often?

No hard and fast rule exists for how often you should stain your deck. The type of wood, the type of stain, and the environment in which you live all factor into how long a stain lasts. Your deck could require staining every year or every two years, again depending on these factors.

How often should a deck be stained and sealed?

For most decks, sealing once each year is a good rule of thumb. Depending on the condition of your deck this can be adjusted, but keep in mind that you should never go beyond three years maximum before re-sealing and staining.

What month should you stain a deck?

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.

How long does stain last on a deck?

The best stains should last three to five years on a deck and even longer if applied to siding or fences, which don't get as much abuse.

When to Stain Your Deck

Is it better to seal or stain a deck?

Sealing a deck is best for cedar, teak, mahogany, or other quality woods as it enhances the wood grain and natural color. What is this? Staining a deck protects the wood from mold, mildew, moisture, and rot, and UV rays and sun damage.

Is staining a deck worth it?

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.

Do I need to powerwash my deck before staining?

There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. 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.

When should you not stain a deck?

You want to apply the stain when the wood surface and air are in the temperature range of 50° – 90°F. You also want to avoid the direct application of sunlight. Lastly, do not apply a stain if there is a forecast of rain in the following one to two days, or all your hard work could end up being washed away.

What happens if you don't stain your deck?

The effects that can occur due to a lack of treatment are aesthetic in nature. After 6 months, the wood will start to lose its color and will begin to fade. Ultimately it will fade to grey or silver. This is not a problem in and of itself, and some people prefer this look for their decks.

What is the average cost of staining a 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.

What time of year should I seal my deck?

Summer is generally the best time to waterproof your deck because it gives you the opportunity to clean it thoroughly and seal it properly without worrying about rain. It takes about two to three days for a deck to completely dry out after sealing and you'll need up to six days for it to be fully functional again.

Should I stain my deck every year?

Many homeowners wonder, “How often should I stain my deck?” To keep a deck looking great and prolong the life of the wood, a deck should be stained every two to three years. Other signs your deck needs staining are: The deck has mold or mildew buildup. Water soaks into the deck boards and no longer beads up.

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

We always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain. The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much as the wood can absorb.

When can I apply a second coat of stain to my deck?

For best results, avoid staining at midday or in direct sunlight. If a second coat is required, wait 4 hours between applications. Depending on temperature and humidity, allow 24 - 48 hours of dry time before using your beautifully restored deck or porch.

Should you stain both sides of deck boards?

In summing up, it is not necessary to stain all 4 sides of deck boards. But you definitely want to stain all the exposed wood like the top and sides of each board to reduce weather damage.

Is it OK to stain a deck in the sun?

Whether it's warm or cool outside, never apply stain to a deck in direct sunlight. This could cause the stain to flash dry, which prevents it from penetrating the wood properly and shortens its longevity. Flash drying also causes an uneven, blotchy appearance that will make you want to redo the job.

What happens if you don't clean deck before staining?

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.

Can I apply a second coat of deck stain a week later?

Can I Apply a Second Coat of Stain a Week Later? No, applying a second coat of stain a week later is a bad idea. If you apply another coat of wood stain after a week, it will not adhere to the wood properly. As a result, any finish you use on top will experience adhesion problems and peel off.

How long should I wait to stain my deck after washing it?

Wood Deck Staining Overview

Let's start by answering the question: how long should you wait for your deck to dry after you power wash it? The short answer is 48 hours. You should wait at least two days after pressure washing your deck before you consider staining it, to give time for it to dry.

Can you use OxiClean to clean a deck?

To clean the deck with this quick method, I just mixed 1 cup of OxiClean (powder) into 1 gallon of water. Pour a little bit onto your deck in sections and use a push broom to scrub the solution in really well. Once you notice stains starting to break up, spray down well until the soapy residue is gone.

Should I sand deck before staining?

Sand the Deck

If you plan to stain the deck, sand the surface before application to make the wood better absorb the coating. Use an orbital sander to remove any old gloss and smooth out any rough areas on decking boards.

How much does it cost to stain a 12x12 deck?

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. Get free estimates from deck staining companies near you or view our deck stain cost calculator below.

Should I seal my deck after staining?

Most of the time, stains also contain a protective sealant. It's a good idea, though, to re-seal your deck (or check that it needs to be re-sealed) once a year. Water-based stains can adhere to water or oil-based coatings already present on the wooden surface. Water-based stains can be cleaned up with water.

Which deck stain lasts the longest?

In general, an oil-based deck stain will last the longest, but it also depends on the type of wood, the weather conditions, and how long the deck has gone unprotected before staining.