5 Reasons You Need to Seal or Stain Your Wooden Deck

Wooden decks are vulnerable to both man-made and environmental elements. They’re exposed to heat, moisture, snow, rain, and foot traffic, among others, year-round.

They need protection against these elements to preserve their longevity, function, and appearance. While it’s impossible to fully shield a wooden deck, you can minimize the impact potential problems can bring.

Prolonging Life of Wooden Deck by Sealing or Staining

Sealing or staining your wood deck can help protect it against harsh elements that can cause it to wear faster.

A stain is applied to the wood to improve its appearance. But apart from that, it also has several advantages. It can help protect the wood against damages.

There are different types of stains available in the market. To choose the best product to use, consider the type of wood, product performance, and your personal preferences.

Like stain products, sealers also enhance the look of a wooden deck and help extend its lifespan. Sealers also come in various types, so it’s important to choose a product that best fits your wooden deck and aesthetic requirements.

Preparation Tips

As with any routine maintenance procedure, taking precautions is necessary to ensure your wooden deck receives the protection it needs.

Here are some tips for an effective sealing and staining process.

  • Check the type of wood as some, such as cedar and redwood, are already naturally resistant to rotting.
  • Clean the wooden deck first. Otherwise, dirt will be sealed into the wood as well.
  • Always check the weather forecast. Avoid application under extreme sunlight.
  • Read manufacturer instructions to find out how many coats you need to apply and the interval between each application. Do not overapply.

 

Benefits of Staining and Sealing Your Wooden Deck

If you’re wondering how sealing and staining can be beneficial for your wood deck, here are 5 points to consider.

1. Resisting moisture

Your deck is located outside of your home. Hence, it’s given it will be exposed to moisture. Moisture can weaken the integrity of your wood deck. You need to prevent it from penetrating into the wood. Staining will help shield the wood against moisture. It helps prevent mold or mildew from developing. When wood is soaked in water, chances are it’ll soon expand and soften. You’ll need to replace it immediately as it might lead to accidents.

2. Avoiding cracking

Sealing and staining a wooden deck can help prevent it from cracking. While some types of wood may no longer require sealing, some types will still need it to reduce the tendency of them cracking. Staining will also help keep excess water out of the wood, which in turn prevents warping or cracking.

3. Protecting wood from the sun 

When wood is not sealed or stained, it takes a beating from the sun. Exposure to sunlight can cause discoloration, warping, and drying out of its surface. You can protect your wooden deck by applying high-quality sealer or stain. This should prevent the sun’s harmful rays from seeping into the wood. This will also help extend the lifespan and ensure the structural integrity of your wooden deck.

4. Preventing rotting

Wood is vulnerable to rotting as it is exposed to all types of elements. Sealing and staining will help prevent this problem from developing, provided they’re done the right way. When your wooden deck begins to rot, it can also turn into an eyesore. But more than that, a rotting deck can cause safety hazards. The deck can collapse and cause damages or injuries. Once rotting starts, reversing it can be difficult. Hence, preventive maintenance is crucial.

5. Preserving its beauty

Keeping your wooden deck attractive for many years is possible with regular sealing or staining. You can choose the type of seal or stain according to the appearance you want to achieve. Be sure to pick high-quality products. Or better yet, hire professionals to ensure the right products and methods are used.

Hire Professionals to Stain or Seal Your Wooden Deck

If you need help sealing or staining your wooden deck, or perhaps are thinking of constructing or renovating your wooden deck, our team at Douglas Residential Renovations can help you.

 We’re a state-licensed residential contractor serving North Georgia for over 20 years now. We specialize in home renovations, but we also handle construction and repairs. Our technicians are all friendly and accommodating, you’re sure to enjoy working with them, as our loyal customers do.

 Contact us today at (404) 483-3544 to get started.

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