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Deck staining

Brushing a penetrating stain or water repellent onto a wood deck to protect it from water and sun, and recoating it as the finish wears.

What It Means

Deck staining is coating a wood deck with a finish that soaks into the boards to slow water damage and weathering. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) recommends penetrating finishes for decks: water-repellent preservatives, colored water-repellent preservatives and semitransparent stains. Because these finishes wear away rather than peel, they need recoating more often than paint does.

Try It: Compare Three Deck Finishes

Pick a finish to see what the Forest Products Laboratory says about it on a deck.

Recommended. It soaks in and adds color. Recoat more often than you would paint.

How It Sounds at Home

  • "The deck's gone gray, we need to restain it this summer."
  • "Water isn't beading on the boards anymore."
  • "Don't paint it, the old paint just peeled."

The Breakdown

How often

FinishWhat FPL saysHow often
Water-repellent preservative, clear or coloredPenetrating, recommended for decksFPL suggests at least once a year on a new deck
Semitransparent stainPenetrating, recommended for decksMore often than paint; Buhata's own suggestion is to check it every spring
Paint or solid-color stainForms a film, traps moisture, peelsNot recommended on deck boards

How to recoat. FPL keeps it simple: brush a generous coat onto the wood, wait 20 to 40 minutes, then wipe off whatever hasn't soaked in. A deck that has had a water repellent for years can switch to a semitransparent stain at the next recoat, and FPL says it will perform well.

Make it last between coats. Buhata's own suggestion: each spring, sprinkle a little water on the busiest boards. Beading means the finish is still working. If it darkens the wood and soaks straight in, or the color has faded in the sunny spots, plan a recoat for the next dry stretch.

Good to Know

The Forest Products Laboratory is the US Forest Service's wood research lab. Its deck guidance steers away from paint and solid-color stain because a film finish traps moisture in the boards and then peels. Follow the label on the product you buy for drying time and the weather it needs. If you plan to clean the deck with a pressure washerPressure washingCleaning outdoor surfaces such as siding, decks and driveways with a machine that sprays water at high pressure to lift dirt, mildew and grime. See more first, read the washer maker's safety instructions before you start.

FAQ

How often should a deck be stained?

The Forest Products Laboratory says penetrating finishes need reapplying more often than paint, and suggests a water-repellent preservative at least once a year on a new deck. Buhata suggests checkingChecking accountA bank or credit union account for everyday money going in and out, used by debit card, checks, transfers and direct deposit. See more a stained deck every spring and recoating when water stops beading.

Should I paint my deck or stain it?

Stain it. FPL recommends penetrating finishes for decks, because paint and solid-color stain form a film that traps moisture and fails by peeling.

Can I put stain over a water sealer?

FPL says a deck maintained with a water-repellent preservative for several years can be refinished with a semitransparent stain and perform satisfactorily.

Do It in Buhata

Maintenance (Household X)

Add "Check the deck finish" to Maintenance in the Household X add-on each spring, so it rolls forward a year every time you tick it off.

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Related Terms and Categories

  • Pressure washing

    Cleaning outdoor surfaces such as siding, decks and driveways with a machine that sprays water at high pressure to lift dirt, mildew and grime.

  • Power washing vs pressure washing

    Both spray water at high pressure. In the stricter usage, a power washer also heats the water, while a pressure washer uses cold or lukewarm water.

  • Seasonal home maintenance

    Home upkeep sorted by time of year, so each job lands when the weather suits it and before the system it protects is needed most.

  • Paint sheen

    How shiny a paint dries, from flat and matte through eggshell, satin and semi-gloss to high-gloss. More shine usually means easier cleaning.

Home maintenance and repairs

Sources

USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, "Finishes for Wood Decks"; Forest Products Laboratory, "Details for a Lasting Deck"; Forest Products Laboratory, "Paint, Stain, Varnish, or Preservative? It's Your Choice"

Last updated .