Is it worth staining an old 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 stain an old weathered deck?

Using clear or translucent stains on weathered wood will result in a splotchy, uneven look. Instead, the best deck stain for weathered wood will have at least some pigment. A semi-transparent stain will impart a little color to the deck wood while still allowing the grain to show through.

Is it better to paint or stain an old deck?

Deck Painting

Paint allows you more color options, as where stain is limited to shades of brown. Because paint fills gaps and cracks, it hides the flaws of a weathered or old deck much better than stain does. It's easier to clean a painted deck rather than a stained one.

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.

How long will a deck last if you don't stain it?

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

How to Restore a 30 Year Old Deck

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.

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.

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.

What can I use instead of staining my deck?

Composite decking is an ideal alternative to timber decking without need for staining. This is made from recycled wood and plastic components and all it requires is a little wash with soapy water if it gets dirty. This can take just a few minutes on a normal size decking area.

Is it better to seal or stain a deck?

Sealant will sometimes have pigment that will color the wood when applied, but stain will always have pigment. Additionally, the levels of protection vary between the two products. Stain offers little to no moisture protection, while sealant offers tremendous moisture protection.

Can you stain an old deck without sanding?

You don't even have to sand unless you want or if it could really use one. The reason you want to clean the wood first is to remove any dirt, mold or mildew spores to make sure the stain has a clean surface to bond.

How do I prepare an old deck for Restaining?

Before you apply stain, make sure the surface is clean (no dust, dirt, wood fibers or grease), dry and free from mildew. When a surface is not clean, stains and other finishes have trouble sticking and may end up peeling. Confirm no rain for 24-48 hours. Thoroughly sweep the deck to remove all leaves and other debris.

Should you sand an old deck before staining?

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. You may need to use a sanding sponge on the railings or balustrades.

What is the best stain to use on an older deck?

Semi-solid stains offer more color with less wood grain peeking through. This is a good option for older decks or if there are imperfections in the wood that you'd rather cover up. Solid stain is the most opaque of the stains. You'll get a deep, rich color, but none of the natural grain will come through.

What is the best finish for old decks?

How many gallons of stain do I need for a 20x20 deck?

To stain a 20x20 ft² deck area, you'll need approximately 2 and 1 quarter gallons (2.25 gal). You can get this result by assuming that 1 gallon can cover up to 175 ft². Also, consider this amount is for one coat of stain.

Is it better to use a brush or roller to stain a deck?

Rollers are a great way to apply wood stain as well for the speed at which you can apply the stain. However, when using rollers can be a disadvantage when you have hard to reach areas. If you are going to use a roller to apply your stain, make sure to have a brush as well for those hard to reach areas.

What happens if you stain a deck without cleaning?

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.

What time of year should you stain a 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 too late to seal my deck?

Usually, late summer and early fall are the best times for deck restoration and sealing. However, if your area experiences typically drier springtime weather or summertime temps that don't get too hot, you can likely schedule deck sealing anytime between early April and late October.

How much does it cost to have a 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.

Is it OK to pressure wash a deck before staining?

Taking your time is key to power washing a deck successfully. Now that the wood has been cleaned and stripped of grime, you can sand it and apply your stain of choice. Power washing a deck before staining will allow the wood to absorb the stain better and deeper.

What temperature is it not good to stain a deck?

If it's too hot, the stain may dry too quickly, potentially causing lap marks and uneven penetration. Avoid staining your deck if it's above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure this, either choose a cooler day or stain your deck in the morning before it gets too hot.

Do you have to wash deck before restaining?

A: Yes. The answer is simple enough, but it really should be remembered that it's important to remove all dirt and contaminants from the surface of wood to ensure proper stain penetration and maximum durability of wood stains.