Is it OK not to stain a deck?

However, choosing not to stain or paint the deck is simply a preference of the homeowner. 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.

What happens if you don't stain your 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.

Can you just seal a deck and not stain it?

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. Many deck companies recommend using a combination stain/sealer product, which is basically a sealer with pigment added.

How long can you leave decking untreated?

A deck made of untreated wood can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. Decks made of treated wood and composite materials can last as long as 50 years.

What happens if you don't stain a pressure treated deck?

Without stain, any type of paint or sealant, rainwater, dew or snow can easily penetrate the decking. The wood will then swell until it dries when it will shrink again. This pattern of swelling and shrinking can cause damage to the wood such as splits, checks, splinters, cracks, and other blemishes.

DIY Deck Staining Tutorial - How Not to Stain a Deck

Is it ever too late to stain a deck?

If you're staining your deck in the spring or fall, wait for a day with highs above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, make sure freezing temperatures aren't in the forecast for that night. If it drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit before the stain has thoroughly dried, it can hinder the curing process.

How long does unstained pressure-treated wood last?

In general, pressure-treated wood can last anywhere from nine to 40 years, depending on a few factors. Keep reading to learn more about pressure-treated lumber, its lifespan, and how to extend it as long as possible.

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 I stain my deck after 2 years?

As a general rule, your deck should be stained every 2-3 years. This can change, however, if you are in an area of high-humidity or especially volatile weather. The signs to look for when determining if you need deck staining are: The stain color of the wood is wearing off.

Do decks need to be stained every year?

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.

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.

What happens if you don't seal stain?

Wood is dried-out and dull if you do not apply some sort of sealer. Staining and finishing are two very different things. By applying pigments, a stain is meant to darken or dye wood, but the wood is not preserved by staining.

Can you permanently seal a deck?

The Only Permanent Wood and Concrete Sealer

PermaSeal® will restore and keep your deck protected for 25 years after just ONE treatment.

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.

Can you just paint your deck?

Painting your deck is a great way to bring vibrant color to your outdoor living area. Typically, homeowners paint railings, stairs, and posts but stain the decking. That's because stain tends to hold up better to foot traffic than paint. Nevertheless, painting decking boards is definitely possible.

Do you need to stain a pressure treated deck?

Pressure-treated wood contains preservatives to prevent rot and insect damage, but it remains vulnerable to the sun, wind, moisture and dirt. Learning how to stain pressure treated wood can extend the life and improve the appearance of decks, fencing, picnic tables, retaining walls and other exterior wood projects.

What month 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.

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.

How much should I pay to have my deck stained?

At an average cost between $3 and $5 per square foot, the biggest factor in the cost of staining a deck is the size. A 100 square foot deck will cost between $300 and $500 while a 500 square foot deck will cost between $1,500 and $2,500 in staining costs.

What decking doesn't need oiling?

Composite decking timber doesn't require Oiling, painting or sealing. Additionally, it doesn't fade and is termite resistant. You don't need harsh chemicals or oils to protect your deck and keep it looking great.

What time of year should you oil decking?

In general, Spring is the best time of the year to oil your decking. But it also depends on how long you've had your decking. Ideally, newly-laid or newly-treated decking should be left to weather naturally for about six months before you stain or oil it.

Is one coat of decking oil enough?

We recommend a minimum of two coats to maintain durability and protection from UV exposure. Therefore, once the deck is dry, repeat the coating process. We suggest using less oil, as the wood will not absorb as much of it and it may pool on the surface and become sticky.

Can you leave pressure treated wood unpainted?

Yes – you can leave anything unfinished, but it will be just that- unfinished. Even the treated lumber will deteriorate and decay with time (though you could be looking at decades of use still)- and it will happen much faster if it is not sealed with a finisher like stain or paint or water repellant.

Why shouldn't you stain pressure treated wood?

It's also infused with various preservatives like micronized copper to withstand the elements longer than non-treated lumber. This process uses water to force the chemicals deep into the wood's pores. Therefore, new pressure-treated lumber has high moisture content and won't immediately accept a stain.

What happens if you don't use pressure treated wood?

Left in their natural, unfinished state, most woods deteriorate quickly when exposed to outdoor environments. However, there are several species that have naturally occurring chemicals that help them shrug off harsh weather and insects.