Waterproofing Your Deck
Wood, even pressure-treated wood, will weather and even rot if not protected. This is especially true of decks which are usually fully-exposed to the elements the year round. Water slowly leeches out the protective oils and allows mold and mildew to grow in the cracks.
Redwood and cedar decks stand up the best of the woods. The can weather to a natural silver color but there still is the splintering that can occur if not not treated. Treatments should be done every 18 months or so.
There are two basic ways to go here: waterproofing, or water repellents, or stain. The former coats the wood and shed water stains and many oils. Staining is popular because many people do not want the “driftwood look.” Picking a stain that matches the home is more to their liking and there are many styles to choose. For example, a popular stain is a washed stain which lets the grain of the wood show through. Although many people like a solid stain which can be toned to the siding or trim of the home.
If you have just put up a deck in the spring wait until the early fall before either staining or waterproofing. Otherwise the agents in the wood treatment might not let the stain or waterproofing solution penetrate the wood.
1 comment April 29, 2008
