Let's get that deck ready for Summer!!
Staining a Deck & Railings
Decks tend to be subject to the harshest weather conditions. As they usually get a maintenance coat every couple of years it is very important to make sure that you choose a stain that does not need to be removed each maintenance coat unless you really love sanding. We find most clients are on a 2 year maintenance cycle for their decks to keep them looking nice and avoiding having to sand. Log and wood railings are often on the same cycle.
WARNING: Ensure Stain Compatibility with other Coatings/Chinking/Caulking
Did you know that some coatings that you use may contain non-drying oils or waxes and may prevent you from using chinking and caulking in the future? If you are not certain, ask a specialist about our compatibility testing, database of various stains and chemical ingredient review service.
CAUTION: Only use Log Products on Log Homes
We receive phone calls daily from people disappointed they bought a deck/fence /wood stain at a big box or hardware store and it failed early. Log's Ain't Wood and they behave much differently. You don't treat a 2x4 the same you way treat a log. You want a product specifically engineered to perform properly for your home. Would you rather save a hundred dollars on product? Or do the job twice as often??
NEW DECKS
01.
The method you choose to stain your deck can vary:
- New Decks
- Typically wait 3-12 months before staining. The chemicals used in pressure treated wood and the moisture content of new wood make stain penetration a problem if stained too early.
- Should get a full prep before staining. If you want the best performance out of your stain, a new deck should be prepped too.
PRO TIP
IDEAL PREP: Sand the deck down to a 60 grit finish so the pores of the wood are open and ready to receive stain. This also removes mill glaze from the wood allowing for stain penetration. Rent (usually about $75-$100/weekend) a drum sander for big areas and decks that are rough, cupped or warped. A random orbital sander works well for smaller areas to remove splintering and open the wood pores, but won’t work well for any warping or cupping of the deck boards.
OK PREP: A wood cleaner/brightener and pressure wash can also be used but won’t do anything for rough, cupped or warped boards. It will also require waiting for the wood to drop below 19% moisture content before staining.
CAUTIONS:
1) Check surface temperature of the wood. In general if there is sunlight on the deck boards, it will likely be too hot to stain. Applying stains when the wood is too hot results in “flashing” instead of the stain penetrating. This can later lead to peeling. Confirm application temperature as each stain is slightly differrent.
2) Be sure to not sand with too fine of sandpaper. Most stains call for between 60-80 grit sanding prior to application so the pores of the wood are open to receive stain. Sanding too smooth closes these pores and does not allow penetration. This can lead to peeling later. Confirm preparation instructions as each stain is slightly different.
MAINTAINING YOUR DECK
02.
Hopefully you chose a non-peel formula last time.
- If a no-peel formula was applied properly, then this should be simple.
- Clean off any dust, pollen, bird poo, etc. with a wood cleaner. Gently pressure wash off. Wait until wood dries below 19% moisture content.
If you didn’t use a non-peel formula last time:
- If it is peeling now…See Deck Restoration below 😥
PRO TIP
Maintenance Cycles: Most decks with full sun/rain exposure will need a maintenance coat every 1-2yrs. The big question is at that time…do you need to sand it all down making the job much bigger? Most of the deck stains we carry are non-peel formulas which usually means your maintenance is easier as if fades instead of peels. Remember: If you wait too long with even a non-peeling stain, you could find yourself sanding it down. Color matching if sections are faded down to raw wood can be a pain and usually is easier to sand down.
RESTORING A DECK
03.
A big job for sure, but worth it when done.
- If you got here because you didn’t use a deck stain with a non-peel formula last time…change your strategy this time.
- Making Repairs: Check first for damaged, cracked or warped boards that may require sanding. Pay close attention to parts of the deck close to the ground. If rot is encountered, speak with one of our specialists before replacing as it may be fixable.
- Clean the Surface: Now you must determine your prep strategy. Wood in good shape but the coating is not or the wood has greyed? Maybe just a pressure wash and wood cleaner/brightener. Cupping, warping, splintering, cracking? Sanding would result in a better prep job.
PRO TIP
Be sure to sink in any screws or nails that may catch the sand paper.
Many deck stains fail prematurely when snow from the winter is not removed or a metal edge shovel is used.
Don’t forget to at least remove the snow off your deck around the bottom couple of logs to prevent rot and early stain failure.
Sansin Dec Topcoat
Sansin Deck Stain
Sansin Dec is a penetrating, breathable finish designed for decks, docks, and other horizontal wood surfaces. It delivers superior water and UV protection without cracking, peeling, or blistering—ideal for high-traffic exterior applications.
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Sansin ENS
Sansin ENS is a premium, film-forming exterior and interior wood finish that delivers long-lasting protection and beauty. Ideal for siding, logs, windows, doors, and trim, ENS offers exceptional UV resistance, water repellency, and color retention. Available in Gloss, Satin, Low Lustre, and Extra Low Lustre, it adheres well to both bare wood and existing coatings for a rich, durable finish.
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Sansin ENS Naturals Topcoat
Sansin ENS Optimum Clear
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Sansin Foundation
Sansin Pressure Plus
Sansin PROTECT-A-CUT
Sansin Purity Floor Stain
Sansin Purity Interior Stain
Sansin Roof-Tec
Sansin SDF
Yes. Sashco Transformation Siding and Trim would be a transparent or semi- transparent. Timberpro comes in transparent, semi-transparent and solid
