Is sealing a deck necessary?

A backyard deck is the perfect platform for good times, but that wooden surface needs a proper sealant to protect it against the ravages of sun, rain, and temperature fluctuations.

What happens if you don't seal your deck?

It is highly unlikely that the deck will rot, splinter or decay if you choose not to have it finished and you can always choose to stain and protect the deck at a later date. If you choose to revitalize the natural color of the wood, we recommend our two-step maintenance clean.

Should I seal my deck or not?

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.

Do you need to stain and seal the bottom of a deck?

It is not necessary to stain the underside of your deck for protection from the elements, especially if you use pressure-treated wood, which helps keep wood-boring insects out.

Should you seal both sides of wood?

Not at all. In fact, all the evidence points the other way – that it doesn't make any difference whether the wood is finished on both sides or not. It will warp or not warp totally independent of how it's finished, because a finish only slows moisture exchange.

How To Protect Your Deck | Never Sand Again!

Should you paint under the deck?

The underside is important because the water on your deck will dry on the top and run and hang onto the bottom. Expect to have to repaint the bottom faster than the top. But again with maintenance this is an easy job.

Does treated wood deck need to be sealed?

Although treated wood is protected against decay and termite attack, the application of a water-repellent sealer to all exposed wood surfaces is recommended upon completion of construction. This sealer will help control surface checking (splitting or cracking) and provide an attractive appearance.

How much does deck sealing cost?

Cost to Seal a Deck

Sealing a deck costs $906 or typically between $551 and $1,292. You'll pay $0.75 to $4 per square foot for both materials and labor. Labor alone makes up 50% to 75% of the total price. Cost factors include regional worker rates, complexity, size, prep needs and accessibility.

Is staining and sealing a deck the same?

Deck sealing will protect the wood from splitting, cracking, moisture, mildew, and rot while maintaining the color and grain of the wood. A stain will protect the wood and provides a more uniform tint or color to the wood to complement surrounding structures.

How long can you leave decking untreated?

If it's untreated, over six months old or previously stained or painted, you can start your restoration project.

How long will untreated decking last?

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 is the life expectancy of a wood deck?

THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF A WOOD DECK: Typically 10 to 15 years. The actual lifespan of your wood deck will depend on the type of wood you've chosen and how well you keep up with wood's rigorous maintenance schedule.

What happens if you don't seal stained wood?

What happens if you don't seal stained wood? If you leave stained wood without a sealer on top, it will gradually lose its moisture content and dry out. Over time, the wood may look dull and lifeless as the stain wears out due to the lack of wood sealing and protection.

Do you need to apply a sealer after staining a deck?

Applying a clear sealer or polyurethane over a deck stain will cause more problems than it is worth. If you want a clear finish then you can strip off any old stain and start fresh with bare wood. Then you can apply a clear sealer if that is the look you are going for.

When should you seal a new deck?

Wait to stain a new wood deck if water beads up on it. The wood on a new deck needs to dry thoroughly before sealing or staining. If the wood came still wet with preservative, allow it to dry about 30 days before applying stain or sealer.

What is best to seal a deck?

As one of the best water seal products available, Thompsons will go a long way to preserving your deck from mildew and water damage. It will also help with UV damage and color fading over the long term.

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 pressure treated deck boards be sealed?

A: Some owners of pressure-treated structures assume the wood needs no protective treatment, and this view at one time was encouraged by manufacturers of the wood. However, most pressure-treated wood should have periodic sealing against moisture, preferably every year or so.

Should you treat a new deck?

Brand new decking needs to left alone to weather naturally so that all the pre-treatment has eroded, ready to be oiled. We recommend you wait around six months for it to be fully eroded. Once you've waited for the coating to erode, treat your new decking as normal with oil or stain.

Do you need to seal cut ends of pressure treated wood?

IN-GROUND APPLICATION

Whilst treating or sealing any cut ends is important with any Treated Lumber product, maintaining a sealed end is most important when applicating Pressure Treated lumber in-ground, such as Fence Posts and Landscaping / Retaining Wall.

Should you stain all 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.

Should you stain deck joists?

Coat the joists with a moisture-resistant stain or sealer before you install them to provide an extra level of protection, advises Flooring and Carpets.

Should you stain between deck boards?

Do I need to stain in between deck boards? Yes, you need to stain between deck boards to guarantee that moisture won't seep into the wood through the unstained spaces. Besides, staining between deck boards gives your entire deck a complete and even look.

Does sealer darken wood?

It is worth noting that a sealer will still darken a wooden surface very slightly, but it won't make much of a difference. Definitely, if you want to protect the wood from rotting and moisture rather than give it a color then getting the best wood sealer would be a good decision.