How to Stain Your Deck Guide
Staining your deck is an easy way to give your home a fresh new look. However, it can be an intimidating process if you’re not familiar with the basic procedures. But no worries, we’ll walk you through it step by step and will show you why staining your deck is worth doing.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything from selecting the right stain to proper application techniques. We’ll also offer helpful tips and tricks that will help make your project go more smoothly.
You’ll also learn why you should use deck stain and not paint.
Choose the right color
The first thing you’ll need to do is decide where to stain your deck. Different colors of wood allow for different types of stains, so be sure to think about the wood in your deck for a more successful result. The most common stains are those of redwood, cedar, and pine.
Some experts also recommend using a stain-resistant stain on decks. However, many states have laws that require the use of stain-resistant stains on all decks.
Inspect your deck
Before you begin staining the deck, you’ll need to know if there are any loose boards. To do this, inspect your deck to ensure that there aren’t any exposed nails or other items that could cause a hole during staining.
Once you’ve done this, remove any loose boards and lay them aside for later use.
Clean the deck
To remove any dirt or debris, you’ll need to clean your deck well. There are several ways to do this, but a pressure washer is one of the easiest methods. An old toothbrush can also be useful for cleaning between boards.
Tape off areas you don’t want to stain
One of the most important things to remember when staining your deck is that it’s very difficult (if not impossible) to remove the stain from certain surfaces. This is particularly important with cedar, redwood, and pine wood.
Use painter’s tape to cover these surfaces to ensure that you won’t accidentally stain the wood underneath.
Trim the edges of your deck
Before staining your deck, you’ll need to carefully trim the edges of your deck so that it will go along smoothly without any gaps or cracks.
Once you’ve done this, remove all traces of the original finish and fill in any gaps with silicone caulk or a liquid filler made for decks.
Apply the stain
The next step is to apply your stain. Do this by following the directions on the can and pouring it into a pan or large bucket, depending on your choice. Make sure that your stain is thoroughly mixed with water so that you don’t get any drips or bubbles in any areas.
Spread the stain
Before the stain can be applied to your deck, you’ll need to know how to properly spread the stain. Uniformly doing this will prevent any areas from being missed, which will lead to fading and uneven staining.
The proper way to do this is by slowly moving your brush or roller as you go. When applying a brush, use long, even strokes and make sure not to leave any streaks or drips behind.
If you’re using a roller, you’ll want to make sure that the roller is tightly rolled up and that the brush/roller is elevated off of the deck.
Apply a second coat
After you’ve finished staining your deck, you’ll need to apply a second coat of stain so that it’s fully protected. This will ensure that your stain will last long enough to wear off naturally over time.
Protect your deck
To protect your deck, you’ll need to give it a layer of polyurethane or another sealant. This will help your deck remain protected and last longer. It’s also important to clean the wood once a week with a wood cleaner so that dirt and grime won’t collect on the surface.
Tips for Staining Your Deck:
Keep things clean
One of the biggest mistakes that you can make when staining your deck is rushing through the process or cutting corners. Don’t do this! The whole point of staining is to get the best result possible. Don’t skip steps and allow dirt and grime to accumulate, or you might find yourself in a real pickle when it comes time to finish the job.
Keep the area as clean as possible while staining
Before anything can be done on your deck, it’s important to remove anything that could cause a spot of trouble. In addition to removing nails and any other debris, it’s a good idea to move any plants or objects off of the deck. This will limit the amount of staining that you’ll need to do on your deck and will give you a better chance of having an even coat of stain.
Be sure to read the directions carefully
Unlike most painting projects, staining isn’t something that you want to rush through. It’s important to read the directions carefully and follow them to the letter. Doing this is the only way that you’ll get the best results in the end.
Use a handheld sprayer to ensure that you don’t miss any spots
When staining your deck, it’s easy to miss certain areas, especially when using a brush or roller. This can lead to streaks or other unsightly marks that will need extensive work afterward to be removed.
Clean your tools thoroughly after each use
Just like every other part of this project, it’s important to keep everything clean. This is doubly important when it comes to your tools. Make sure that you wash your tools off each time you use them. Keep a bucket of soapy water near your work area and dip the brushes and rollers in this water whenever you’re done using them. This will ensure that you won’t have any problems later and that your tools will last much longer.
Conclusion
As you can see, staining a deck isn’t as difficult as some people may think. It can be something that you do on your own in just a few hours. All you need is the right supplies and the right equipment, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a stunning deck in no time.
There are many options when it comes to buying a quality home improvement product. Deck Stain, for example, is an outstanding option for anyone searching for tips about how to stain a deck.
