One of the biggest concerns we are asked about purchasing online is "what does the deck stain color look like"? It is very difficult to view from deck stain color charts and final wood deck stains colors can very drastically when dealing with a pigmented wood stain. Stains will enhance the natural wood color tones base on a variety of criteria.

The main reason colors differ for transparent, semi-transparent, and semi-solid stains and sealers are:

What is the Longest Lasting Deck Stain Brand and Sealer is a common question that a residential homeowner may have. Tired of trying all of the stains that are available locally, homeowners are looking towards the Internet for deck stain reviews and help to find a better alternative for the exterior wood. Lets look at what makes a stain or sealer last longer then other brands.

There are many different types of transparency of decking stains. Basically the transparency or lack of comes down to how much pigment the stain has. The more pigment it has the better the UV protection. The less pigment means better penetration and showing the natural grain. With all of these different types of stains, homeowners can be confused as to which stain they should use for their deck. We will look at the differences for each type of stains and show the positives and negatives of each. Read more...

Many homeowners struggle with all of the different stain brands and how to stain their deck properly. Main concerns are an uneven appearance and not having enough time to finish the project. Applying an exterior wood stain actually can be an easy and fast process when you utilize the proper steps.

Please take the time to read these tips:

1. Choose a stain that is correct for your deck. There is not a "best" stain for all scenarios. Certain stains though will work better based on your climate, exposure to UV radiation, and type of wood. Please visit Exterior Wood Stains. On this page you will find a product filter that is very useful in finding the best stain or sealer for your wood. If you still have difficulty choosing please ask us for some help: Exterior Staining Questions
2. Once you have chosen your stain it is important that the deck is properly prepped. Prepping the wood is the most important aspect in the entire process. This will ensure that your stain can properly adhere and penetrate into the wood. Improper preparation typically leads to premature stain failure. The cleaning, brightening and or stain stripping should be done at least 48 hours prior to applying the stain. Read more...

Prepping a wood deck can be fairly easy if you have the proper cleaners. Never pressure wash a deck with just water. This can cause sever damage to the wood. It is okay to use a pressure washer at a low pressure as long as you utilize a deck cleaner. The cleaner will do most of the work making it easier and reducing the chance of any damage to the wood.

How to deck cleaning tips:

1. First decide if you should be using a deck cleaner or a stain stripper. Typically a deck cleaner is used if the wood is new, dirty, oxidized gray, of if a previous stain has faded evenly. A stain stripper should be used if the old stain has failed unevenly or peeled. In addition if you decide to change brands it might be best to use a stain stripper.
2. There are many different brands of deck cleaners. We suggest using the same brand as the wood stain if possible. See here for a full list of Deck Cleaners
3. Remove all furniture off the deck so that it is at least 20 feet away. Read more...

Using a exterior stain stripper is typically needed if the old stain or sealer has failed by peeling, wearing unevenly or when changing brands of stain. A stripper will aid in removing the old stain by softening the bond between the stain and the wood cells. This allows easier removal with a light pressure washing or stiff scrub brush.

The process of using a wood stain stripper is incorrectly considered difficult. In fact it will save a substantial amount of time while reducing the any chance of damage to the deck with a pressure washer.

How to strip a exterior stain:

1. As previously mentioned, a stain stripper should be used if the old coatings has failed unevenly or if changing brands of stain. If not then using a deck cleaner may be sufficient. If unsure please feel free to ask a question here: Deck Stripping Questions
2. Remove all furniture from the area. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and eye wear. Read more...

The use of  a wood deck brightener is needed for two main reasons. The first is that wood brighteners are designed to restore the wood's pH balance to neutral after using a deck cleaner or a stain stripper. The second is that the deck brightener will lighten the wood color making the stain look better and last longer when applied.

Applying a deck brightener is the easiest step in the restoration process and the most fulfilling. The results are almost immediate in that you will be able to see the wood lighten in color right in front of your eyes. Brighteners will improve the durability of the stain as well. Please see picture below:

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