Different Stains Provide Certain Advantages
There are two main types of wood stains available for deck applications. The first type, oil based stains, have been used for what seems like forever. Latex based stains are quite a bit newer. Which works best for the homeowner's application is somewhat subjective.
First, the homeowner should inspect the existing deck. If there is too much forgotten maintenance that hasn't been performed over the years, it may very well be more cost effective from an enjoyment and resale point of view to redesign and build a new deck. If the overall condition of the deck is very good, then those few repairs need to be done before staining the deck.
Manufacturers of latex stains claim that they are as durable as oil stains. Many individuals, including professionals, have had different experiences and opinions on the matter. The main advantages of latex based deck stains are that they are much easier to clean up after being applied. Soap and water is all that is needed to clean up latex based stains from brushes and other tools.
Oil based stains have a long track record of being long term seeing as how oil naturally repels moisture, but oil stains also pose more of a potential threat to the environment and greater health risks than latex stains. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions when using stains to avoid any health risks. Oil based stains cost more than latex stains, however, many individuals insist that oil based has a more durable longevity. Cleaning up after using oil based stains is more involved and does require mineral spirits or other solvents to clean applicators and equipment.
There are some newer stains on the market that are a blend of each type of stain. This blend is supposed to utilize the best from each type of stain. Regardless of which type of stain is used for a deck project, it is necessary to seal the deck after the stain has been applied even though many stains naturally repel water.
Sealing a deck will help preserve the natural wood grain and beauty of the deck. This will allow longer spans of time to pass between each cleaning and re-staining. Even with most deck sealers, the wood will begin to gray with weathering. There is a newer epoxy based sealer available on the market that greatly enhances the length of time before a deck begins to show any graying over time. Not every home improvement or hardware store may sell it, so a little detective work may be necessary to find it.
As always before tackling any home improvement project, be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions and safety precautions to reduce and eliminate any injuries people or damage to nearby plants and houses. A comfortable pair of safety glasses and gloves are a must have for any outdoor project where power tools or chemicals are involved. Without following the safety precaution is setting one's self up for trouble.
For more information and guidance about quality decks, sunrooms, and screened porches, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com. Paradise Decking specializes in custom-designed room additions, decks and gazebos, etc. and has a great portfolio of pictures with compelling ideas for your outdoor home improvement projects.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
While the Homeowner is Saving Pennies for a New Deck, Properly Cleaning the Old Deck will Suffice
Last weeks cookout was a big success. The grill fired up, the food was fresh, and the company was pleasant. Even the weather was forgiving. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of the deck. While a deck can be in good condition structurally, it often shows its age through severe fading and weathering from the elements. There are just two options at this point. Redesign and build a new deck or clean it and re-stain it.
While replacing an entire deck for the majority of homeowners is not the most viable option, for those few that are planning on a new deck installation, there could not be a better time. Obviously, most people would opt to clean their existing deck and re-stain it, but this does require more than just a hose, a can of stain, and a brush to revitalize a deck. Staining a deck properly is still considered a do-it-yourself project, but will require several days and a lot of elbow grease.
The first step for any outdoor project is to prepare with safety in mind. Many homeowners already have a set of gloves and safety glasses for working around the house or using power tools. If this basic safety equipment is missing, then the cost to clean a deck will increase by a margin. Other equipment and materials necessary to clean a deck include one pump sprayer, a bucket, bio-degradable wood cleaner, borade, a stiff bristle deck brush, a drill with a paint mixer attachment, and a hose. As one can see, there's quite a bit of equipment that is required to needed to properly clean and prepare an existing wood deck for staining.
While most "professionals" will just resort to using a pressure washer to blast off the dirt, the majority of pressure washers are far too powerful and will actually cause further damage to the deck. The reason why pressure washers are a popular choice is because of the fact that it's much easier than actually scrubbing the surface and it saves time in the short term. Pressure washers will actually create small tears and openings in the wood fibers of the deck planks thereby allowing more moisture to enter and degrade the wood at a faster rate. Where regions of the country receive a variety of different types of weather from sun to freezing ice, such as North Carolina, it is especially important to maintain the integrity of the wood.
The key to any paint job or staining is to clean and prep the surface properly. After hosing off the deck surface of any loose debris, fill the pump sprayer with a 1:1 ratio of wood cleaner and water. After spraying down the deck boards and any steps, begin vigorously scrubbing the surface with the deck brush. This will loosen and remove the embedded dirt from the deck. After a 10 to 15 minute break, again hose down the deck. Rinse out the pump sprayer as well. What is left will be a dirt free deck.
The next step is to eliminate any algae which is a common problem on decks throughout the entire country. In a clean bucket, mix a 1:5 ratio of borade to water. It will need to be mixed thoroughly with a mixing paddle and drill in order to prevent any residue from clogging up the pump sprayer. Fill the pump sprayer with the borade solution and spray down the entire deck. Do not hose off the deck. Again, the purpose of the borade solution is to kill any algae. Now clean up and let the borade solution soak into the deck and dry for two or three days.
Upon returning to the deck, inspect the deck for any loose boards or railings. After making any necessary repairs, the next steps are to apply the stain. In short order, that old worn out looking deck will reflect the newness that the homeowner can enjoy for several cookouts and years to come.
For more information and guidance about quality decks, sunrooms, and screened porches, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com. Paradise Decking specializes in custom-designed room additions, decks and gazebos, etc. and has a great portfolio of pictures with compelling ideas for your outdoor home improvement projects.
While replacing an entire deck for the majority of homeowners is not the most viable option, for those few that are planning on a new deck installation, there could not be a better time. Obviously, most people would opt to clean their existing deck and re-stain it, but this does require more than just a hose, a can of stain, and a brush to revitalize a deck. Staining a deck properly is still considered a do-it-yourself project, but will require several days and a lot of elbow grease.
The first step for any outdoor project is to prepare with safety in mind. Many homeowners already have a set of gloves and safety glasses for working around the house or using power tools. If this basic safety equipment is missing, then the cost to clean a deck will increase by a margin. Other equipment and materials necessary to clean a deck include one pump sprayer, a bucket, bio-degradable wood cleaner, borade, a stiff bristle deck brush, a drill with a paint mixer attachment, and a hose. As one can see, there's quite a bit of equipment that is required to needed to properly clean and prepare an existing wood deck for staining.
While most "professionals" will just resort to using a pressure washer to blast off the dirt, the majority of pressure washers are far too powerful and will actually cause further damage to the deck. The reason why pressure washers are a popular choice is because of the fact that it's much easier than actually scrubbing the surface and it saves time in the short term. Pressure washers will actually create small tears and openings in the wood fibers of the deck planks thereby allowing more moisture to enter and degrade the wood at a faster rate. Where regions of the country receive a variety of different types of weather from sun to freezing ice, such as North Carolina, it is especially important to maintain the integrity of the wood.
The key to any paint job or staining is to clean and prep the surface properly. After hosing off the deck surface of any loose debris, fill the pump sprayer with a 1:1 ratio of wood cleaner and water. After spraying down the deck boards and any steps, begin vigorously scrubbing the surface with the deck brush. This will loosen and remove the embedded dirt from the deck. After a 10 to 15 minute break, again hose down the deck. Rinse out the pump sprayer as well. What is left will be a dirt free deck.
The next step is to eliminate any algae which is a common problem on decks throughout the entire country. In a clean bucket, mix a 1:5 ratio of borade to water. It will need to be mixed thoroughly with a mixing paddle and drill in order to prevent any residue from clogging up the pump sprayer. Fill the pump sprayer with the borade solution and spray down the entire deck. Do not hose off the deck. Again, the purpose of the borade solution is to kill any algae. Now clean up and let the borade solution soak into the deck and dry for two or three days.
Upon returning to the deck, inspect the deck for any loose boards or railings. After making any necessary repairs, the next steps are to apply the stain. In short order, that old worn out looking deck will reflect the newness that the homeowner can enjoy for several cookouts and years to come.
For more information and guidance about quality decks, sunrooms, and screened porches, visit http://www.paradisedecking.com. Paradise Decking specializes in custom-designed room additions, decks and gazebos, etc. and has a great portfolio of pictures with compelling ideas for your outdoor home improvement projects.
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