Should you stain a pressure treated deck?

Staining pressure-treated lumber prevents cracks and splits caused by seasonal changes, prolongs its life, and preserves its natural beauty. Enhance the appearance of your deck, fence, picnic table, or other exterior wood structure by adding fade-resistant color for a finished look you'll enjoy for 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.

How long do you have to wait before staining pressure treated wood?

Allow the wood to dry 24 hours before applying stain.

Do you still need to stain pressure treated wood?

So, even though the wood is treated, it is best to apply a stain--or at least a water repellent--as soon as your project is dry enough. The first tip for working with pressure-treated lumber is to let it dry before using it. Other woods such as redwood and cedar are dry when you buy them.

Should pressure treated wood be stained or 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.

Can I Stain Pressure Treated Wood? Kreg® How-To

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 stain fresh pressure treated wood?

Not only can you stain treated wood, painting and staining pressure-treated wood is actually good for your new deck. Although the treated wood doesn't need to be protected against rot, staining it will help reduce surface cracking.

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.

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 should never be done with pressure treated wood?

How do I know if my deck is dry enough to stain?

Another way of checking if your wood is ready for stain is to pour a little water on the wood. If the water beads up, the lumber still too wet to be stained or painted. If the water is absorbed into the wood easily, it's ready to be sealed or stained.

What type of stain is best for pressure treated wood?

There are a few options for staining pressure-treated wood. One is to use a semi-transparent deck stain, which will allow some of the wood's natural grain to show through. Another is to use a solid-color deck stain, which will provide a more uniform look.

Is oil or water based stain better for pressure treated wood?

Wood types such as pressure treated pine responds well to water-based deck stains. If you're just selling your house and just need to stain your deck fast, or you don't mind restaining your deck every year, then a cheaper, oil based stain may be your best bet. It's pretty straight forward.

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.

Is it better to stain or 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.

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 is the life expectancy of a pressure treated deck?

Wooden Decks Made from Pressure-Treated Lumber

So while it will resist a lot of the environmental changes that the weather brings, it might not be the ideal material for everyone. If you maintain and seal your pressure-treated deck, it can last you around 50 years.

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

However, most pressure-treated wood should have periodic sealing against moisture, preferably every year or so. Although the wood is resistant to rot and insect attacks because of the pressure treatment, it can warp, split and develop mildew if not protected from the effects of water.

How do you maintain a pressure treated deck?

To keep a pressure treated wood deck looking great, it will need to be cleaned periodically using mild soap or deck cleaner and a pressure washer set on a low pressure setting. Next, inspect the deck, drive in any protruding nails or screws, and replace any warped boards.

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.

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.

Why can'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.

Do I need to sand pressure treated wood before staining?

All wood, except manufactured products like composite wood — even pressure-treated lumber — need to be sanded and stained.

How do you stain a new deck for the first time?

How long will pressure treated wood last if not sealed?

How Long Does Pressure-Treated Wood Last? It depends on the climate, the type of wood, its uses, and how well it's maintained. While pressure treated poles can stay up to 40 years without any signs of rot or decay, decks and flooring might only last around 10 years.