subject: Diy Deck And Fence Staining For Home Improvement [print this page] Wood is the best material for building a deck or fence around your home. Not only is it attractive and inviting, it's also more durable than many other materials. Having said this, wood does deteriorate over time so you need to do something to protect it from changing temperatures and moisture. The best way to do this is with stain and below you will find tips on proper application.
Changing temperatures and moisture from rain and snow can speed up the aging process of the wood, especially if you live somewhere that gets snow every year. Overtime, the freezing and thawing or rain and humidity causes the wood to crack and splinter and eventually rot. Therefore, you should stain the wood to protect it. Not only will you ensure the longevity of the wood structure, it will improve the appearance of the wood as well and the overall look of your home.
Stains come in different types, qualities and colours. Also, you need to take care with the timing of when you apply it as well as the method of application. First, make sure that the wood is dry and that the temperature is above 5 degrees Celsius. Also, make sure that you clean everything off the surface. If your deck or fence has never been stained before, then you shouldn't need to do anything special before starting to apply the stain. If however, you're re-staining the wood a different colour then you'll need to prepare to do a lot of sanding first before applying the stain. Also, you probably have some areas of your deck that are more worn than others so that even if you're planning on staining your deck the same colour, you should sand the entire surface first to ensure a nice finish.
Depending on the size of the surface you're working on, you may need to spend a few days just on sanding the surface before applying any stain. The good news is that you can rent floor sanders and hand sanders to help you complete the job faster. The difficult part is if you've got spindles all around your deck. If this is the case then you will need to sand these parts by hand.
Once you've completed the prep of the deck, you can begin applying the stain so long as the weather forecast indicates that there will be no rain for at least 24 hours. If you don't pay attention to the weather forecast then all your hard work may get washed away by rain. To be sure that you are happy with the stain colour, you should first apply a small amount on a hidden area of the deck. The reason is that stains can appear very different when applied to wood and then viewed in direct sunlight compared to a small sample. When you've determined that you're happy with the colour, you should use a polyester or nylon brush to apply the stain rather than a paint roller. Be sure to back brush the stain so that the finish looks even and penetrates the wood fully.
Lastly, you should wear a pair of gloves while working with the stain to avoid having to scrub your hands raw after you've completed the job. Once you've finished you'll need to wait a full day before walking on your deck or deciding on whether you need to apply a second coat.
