How often should you be staining your Vancouver Deck?
Staining your deck protects the wood from damage
Like all exterior painting, finishing your deck, whether with paint or stain, is essential to maintaining the wood structure. Decks are often expensive to build, and staining or painting can help to protect your investment and keep your deck sturdy and beautiful in the long term.
Many Vancouver homeowners choose to stain their decks to allow the grain of the wood to show through. Painting is also a great option for older wood, or if you are looking to cover the wood completely. Stains come in many varieties from transparent to solid, and there are vast colour options so you can pick the perfect stain to match your home.
Staining requires slightly more upkeep than paint, and a stained deck will need to be refinished more frequently than painted decks. It is important to keep an eye out for signs that your deck needs to be re-stained to avoid long-term damage that can be costly to repair.
Decks should be re-stained every 2-3 years
Your deck can be a great place to spend summers with friends and family, and can be a beautiful extension of your home. So, it is important to take care of it by re-staining it at least once every 2-3 years.
There are many factors that affect how often you should re-stain your deck. The type of wood, the area where you live, the amount of sunlight and other environmental factors can all contribute to how quickly your deck will age and need a new coat. Decks that are subject to moisture and rain should be monitored closely for signs of mould and mildew. On the other hand, decks that are exposed to large amounts of bright sunlight and dry conditions will begin to crack, leading to dry rot.
The type of stain used can also impact the frequency that the deck needs to be stained. Solid stains will hold up longer than transparent and semi-transparent stains.
Signs that your deck needs to be stained
While staining every 2-3 years is a good rule of thumb, here are some signs you should look out for that can indicate that it’s time to stain your deck:
Colour looks faded
There is visible mould or mildew
Boards are splintering
The deck is soft or squishy when you walk across it
There are broken or lifted boards in the deck
Loose screws
Flaking or bubbling stain
If you notice any of the above signs in your deck, give Even Better Painting a call for a free estimate or advice on protecting your deck!
Quality stains and proper preparation can prolong the life of your stain
When staining your deck, choose a high-quality stain from a trusted paint supplier. At Even Better Painting, some of our favourite brands are Dulux, Benjamin Moore, and Cloverdale. While you may consider saving money in the short term by choosing a lower tier stain, this will likely lead to having to stain the deck more frequently.
When it comes to preparation, take your time and do not cut corners. Start by sweeping the deck, then apply a cleaner to the entirety of the deck. This can be done easily with a roller. Allow about 15-20 minutes for the cleaner to absorb into the deck before washing away with a hose or power washer. Removing all residue from the deck is essential to a beautiful finished product!
Once the deck is clean, lightly sand the entire surface. Then you can get to staining!
Get help with your exterior deck staining project
If you have questions about staining your deck or fence, or would like to get a free estimate on your exterior painting project, give Even Better Painting a call at 604-359-7979. Our expert estimators and painters can help you keep your deck protected and looking great for years to come!
