What weather is best to stain a deck?

Apply stain to dry wood when it hasn't rained for several days and the forecast calls for at least two days of dry weather between 50° F and 90° F. Low to average humidity promotes faster drying. Staining in direct sunlight can also be a problem. The stain will dry too fast before the wood is able to absorb it.

What month is best to 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.

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.

Is it better to stain a deck in the morning or evening?

Don't apply your deck stain in the direct sun; choose morning or evening hours, or a time of day when your deck has shade. Morning application can be a safer choice to help avoid any contact with dew that sets in overnight. Don't apply more stain than the wood can absorb.

What happens if you stain wood below 50 degrees?

Temperature and humidity can have major effects on how your stain dries. If it's too wet or cold, the drying time for stains can easily double. In extreme cases, the product will just stay wet until the humidity decreases or the temperature rises.

Ideal Conditions to Stain Your Deck

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.

Is it better to stain a deck in the fall or spring?

Fall is the perfect time to take on the task of staining your deck. Not only will you not roast in the sweltering summer temperatures, but the cooler fall weather is ideal for staining. Most deck stains recommend that they be used when outdoor temperatures are above 50 and below 90.

What if it rains after I stain my deck?

If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off.

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.

What if it rains 3 hours after I stain my deck?

If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off.

How long do you have to stay off a deck after staining?

Keep off Newly Painted or Stained Deck

In average conditions, your paint or stain will be dry to the touch within 1-2 hours, but you should not walk on it for probably 4-6 hours. In cooler weather or during periods of high humidity, you will need to wait even longer than this.

How long should you not walk on a deck after staining?

In most cases a full body stain or acrylic deck finish will be dry to touch within an hour in dry, hot weather. After two hours you could take a chance and walk on it with shoes, though I'd recommend barefoot. After about 4 hours you should be able to safely walk on your deck.

When should you not stain wood?

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.

Is it too late to stain my deck?

Is It Too Late to Restore Your Deck? If it's been much longer than the recommended three years since you last stained your deck, you might wonder if it's even worth getting back on track. Fortunately, unless your deck is in a total state of disrepair, it's virtually never too late to provide it with a fresh coating.

How long should deck dry before staining?

In perfect drying conditions, 48 hours is enough for the wood to get to where it needs to be before staining. Decks that don't get much sun should be given an extra day to dry out. If after a day or two the wood still looks wet or there are soft spots, give it more time to dry out.

Should you wet your deck before staining?

The wood must be clean, dry and free of contaminants. If you try to apply stain or sealer over damp or dirty wood, then there won't be proper adhesion. Make sure there is no mildew as well. To achieve this, use a wood cleaner and thoroughly wash your deck.

Should I wash my deck before staining?

Cleaning a deck before you apply stain ensures that 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.

Should you stain deck in sun or shade?

Try staining in the morning before it gets hot or during a part of the day that your deck is shaded. Never apply deck stain in direct sunlight on a hot day. Staining a deck in the sun and/or on an extremely hot day can cause the stain to flash dry on the surface.

Can you wash and stain a deck in the same day?

You should wait at least two days after pressure washing your deck before you consider staining it, to give time for it to dry.

How much 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.

What happens if you stain deck too early?

If you stain pressure-treated wood too soon, the stain will be unable to fully penetrate the wood, and you will not get the protective benefits of the stain. What is the best stain for pressure-treated wood? An oil-based stain is the best for pressure-treated wood.

Do you use a brush or roller to stain a deck?

You should use a roller brush or sprayer to apply a steady coat of quality stain, such as Olympic Elite stains or Olympic MAXIMUM stains. If you see that too much wood stain has been used in an area, use a roller or brush to fix the imperfections.

Should I use a roller to stain my 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.

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

Don't allow the product to dry out between coats. this is especially true with waterborne products. Most stains will have some type of waxes or paraffins in them, which work to help them repel water.

How many hours does stain need to dry before rain?

Remember, no rain 24 hours before you apply stain and no rain 24 hours after the staining project. Assuming the deck is dry and thirsty for stain, it's time to make your deck amazing. When applying stain, a pad, brush, roller, or rag can be used to apply the stain.