Preserve Wood’s Natural Beauty by Staining
At Mr. Handyman of Greater Syracuse, we understand deciding whether to paint or stain a wooden deck can be difficult. Today, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of staining your deck. Both painting and staining an exterior wooden deck can increase its lifespan and durability. If left completely untreated, your deck’s longevity will suffer as rot and weathering emerge due to moisture, sunlight, and other natural elements. Therefore, the question is not whether to stain or paint your deck but which route is best for your situation. Let our professional painting expertise and design insights help you determine the optimal choice.
The Upsides of Staining Your Deck
A beautiful new stain will protect your deck from corrosive elements and preserve its natural beauty. Our team can help you pick a stain product to enhance your deck’s gorgeous textures and grains. Staining a deck offers tremendous flexibility. You can determine how much natural wood remains visible by choosing the right opacity. One benefit of a stain is the ability to alter the deck color slightly without covering the wood grain and texture under layers of thick, opaque paint. As a result, you’ll be able to complement your surrounding aesthetic while respecting the organic beauty of the wood.
Quality stains offer the best of both worlds – sealing the wood while allowing its grain to stay visible. The sealant of a premium stain will protect the wood from moisture, which will cause wood to swell and contract, rot and decay. High-quality wood stains can defend against water, wind, and sun exposure. Finally, staining solutions are nearly always less slippery than paint. Sure, a stain will create some slickness on the surface, but not as much as thicker paint, which is generally less safe due to diminished foot traction.
The Downsides of Staining Your Deck
There are reasons stains might be less preferred than paint, such as:
- Stains must be frequently reapplied – We recommend staining a deck every 2-3 years, depending on foot traffic, the local climate, and natural wear and tear. A professional paint job will hold longer than most deck stains. That said, oil-based semitransparent stains last the longest – for up to five years.
- Staining won’t fill cracks – Unlike paint, wood stains won’t cover flaws, fill in dents, or hide grooves in a wooden deck. Stains are much too thin to repair cracks and splinters.
- Certain woods won’t hold stains – Dense woods, such as tropical hardwoods, make stunning decks. Unfortunately, they resist stains. We recommend using an oil-based stain that penetrates deep into the wood or a clear wood preservative to block UV rays.
Finally, some property owners falsely assume wood staining can work wonders – rejuvenating weathered, splintering, and discolored wood. It may be time to look for a replacement or a thick painting to revitalize an old and decrepit deck.
The Primary Stain Options
Choosing the stain type that best suits your deck is equally important as deciding between a stain or paint. Here are three popular choices:
- Semitransparent stains – This method combines a thin layer of color while simultaneously showing off the wood’s unique textures, grain, and patterns. It is also a wise solution for increasing your deck’s weatherproofing and UV protection.
- Clear wood preserves – This approach contains less wax than a clear water repellent or sealer. It is an ideal choice for showcasing the natural color of vibrant woods (i.e., rich cedar, birch, redwood). Most clear wood preserves protect the wood from fading, growing mold, and warping.
- Solid stains – As your boldest choice, a solid stain will create a stark, uniform veneer. Many solid stains are dark enough to cover some of the wood’s natural textures and grooves. Consequently, they might be a wise selection if your wood deck is aging and you merely want to show off vague contours of its natural grain.
What to Expect When You Hire a Professional to Stain Your Deck
Revitalizing a wooden deck is a process fraught with many challenging decisions. Mr. Handyman of Greater Syracuse is ready to help! Our trusted technicians will navigate you through the process and actualize your vision. We can test various stains on spare pieces of wood to assure you make the right call. This experiment is a great way to browse different options without making unfixable mistakes.
You can trust our technicians to be thorough and meticulous during the staining process. We will:
- Prepare your deck by cleaning, stripping, and rinsing
- Remove mill scale, dirt, and chemical residue
- Add wood brightener, if necessary or requested
- Apply a premium, high-grade stain
We can also repaint your home’s exterior to complement your brand-new deck. Let us boost your property’s curbside appeal for an affordable price today!
To learn more about our deck staining services, call (315) 544-3202 anytime!