Keeping decks well protected is a big challenge. The wood is in a horizontal position, full of nail holes allowing water to seep into the wood where it will swell, shrink and warp the wood and stress your stain or coating system. Wood that is inaccessible , such as end grain, can't be properly sealed once the deck is already constructed. Most times, furniture scrapes the surface, people and dogs track grit and mud on it, and Mother Nature takes a toll.

Many deck / dock / log / wood sealers and stain product reviews or comparisons rate products in a laboratory setting, and fail to consider the beauty of the wood. Most deck staining products we see advertised and endorsed carry false or unrealistic claims with respect to longevity. They fail to account for the frequent maintenance required . Many end up looking "paint-like", and lead to eventual stripping. Many contain wax or silicone, which both contaminate the surface for future coating, leading to buildup, frequent maintenance and inadequate protection. Most wax-containing and linseed oil-containing products lead to eventual stripping.

We feature proven solutions for natural wood care that are good for your wood, and are good for your environment. We hope you find this information helpful.

New Deck Lumber

If you are not using kiln dried wood, simply order your wood a couple of months before you plan to build your deck. Have it unbundled and restacked, allowing air movement between the boards. Use thin wood strips or rack wood, and cover from the sun, best indoors if space allows. Wood can be slowly dried (sometimes with dehumidifier) and even sanded and coated, ALL 6 SIDES, before installation. More


DECK COATINGS

Many products available have their own distinct performance and application characteristics. The product choice for your project should be determined by finding the most suitable product available given your specific project requirements. The premium wood coatings discussed below are all proven solutions we have used and tested for various specific conditions.

Trans Oxide pigments provide the highest level of ultraviolet resistance, and impart a very natural look to the wood. Most of the coating choices outlined below utilize this premium pigment type. New wood should be sanded to remove possible mill glaze, or to remove grayed wood fiber if deck has weathered during the drying process.

Natural Finish

A product we discovered in recent years is One TIME® Wood Protector. It is uniquely long-lasting, offering double the life of anything we have tested. One TIME® is very natural looking compared to many stains available. We believe solvent free One TIME® Wood Protector is good choice with respect to environmental issues and ease of maintenance. This is a great choice for docks, and severe exposure. It offers beautiful protection with extended easy maintenance procedures.
One TIME® is simply the longest lasting deck protector we have used and tested after more than 25 years in the business. One TIME® is not shiny, and gives a natural looking beauty to the wood.

Shiny Finish

If you desire a shiny satin finished look, consider Sikkens Dek Finish. The deck must have good ventilation, and be at least two feet off the ground. Boards must be sealed on the underside. This is a two coat brush applied alkyd protective translucent finish system for exterior wood decking. On properly prepared wood surfaces, this coating gives practically a look of furniture, imparting a varnish like shine while beautifully accentuating grain and color of the wood. This system requires a maintenance coat about every 3 years if in full sun. You need to have the pores of the wood grain open for proper anchoring of the sealer. The first coat preparation is the most important factor in longevity of the entire coating system. Again, this product is only suitable if the bottom side of the deck is sealed, and is at least 2 feet off the ground. Sikkens Wood Coatings: About Deck Coatings

For a water-based satin finish consider Structures Nature One. This is the only film-forming satin acrylic finish we have found that performs well on a deck surface.

Low to ground Decking

If the decking wood is 2 feet or less off the ground, you should consider only a non-film forming wood protector and sealer like One TIME®. Maintenance for color rejuvenation could be desired at 4-5 years , but wood is well protected from moisture and fungal damage for several years. This product offers the longest lasting, easiest to maintain protection we have found.

Hardwood Decking

Some exotic hardwood exhibits a high oil content which can sometimes interfere with drying and curing of many traditional oil based coatings. We have proven solutions and specific preparation procedures when dealing with exotic woods.

One TIME® Wood Protector is our best choice for most Hardwood Decking projects. The UV cure, 100% solids, and penetrating properties of One TIME eliminate many of the problems experienced with traditional hardwood oil stains.

If a shiny finish is desired, consider a Waterlox Marine system.

Staining and protecting Ipe, Mahogany, and other Exotic Hardwood

About Exotic Hardwood

Covered Porches

One TIME® Wood Protector can have difficulty curing in fully covered applications. Testing is recommended for all covered areas.

Waterlox Marine Satin is a tung oil based alternative where a satin finished look is desired.

Defy for Hardwood is also a good choice for covered porch areas with limited UV exposure where a satin finished look is not desired.


Solid Color

We like California Coatings Enduradeck Solid Color Acrylic Floor Coating System for many projects. The Acrylic makeup gives this coating excellent satin sheen and color retention.. It offers excellent adhesion to properly prepared surfaces that have been previously coated. Enduradeck is flexible and breathable and is a great choice to consider when coating exterior wood decks and flooring.

For a solid painted look on older deck floors, you could consider Sikkens Rubbol DEK, which is the only flexible, breathable oil based wood floor coating (not a paint) that we are aware of. It looks like paint, but performs like a stain--no film to peel when properly applied. . It is breathable and flexible when applied to bare wood. Will require maintenance more frequently if in direct sun.


PORCH FLOORING

Porch and deck floors are sometimes difficult surfaces to protect, as the softer a coating is, the easier it wears off, but the better it tolerates moisture transfer and wood expansion cycles. Conversely, the harder wearing a coating, the less able it is to handle expansion and contraction of the wood, so most coating choices represent tradeoffs to consider.

It is very important to seal the underside of a deck or porch floor. The best method is to seal the bottom side of boards and end grain cuts before construction. If wood is near the ground, and the sun beats down on the top surface, moisture is drawn from the cool ground underneath up through the bottom side of the boards. This causes expansion and contraction of the wood, leads to cupping of the boards, and greatly reduces the long-term performance of any coating.

For a clear natural finish on porch flooring, consider Waterlox Marine Finish.


Previously Coated Wood

The following discussion explains reasons we should consider sanding wood for best results with any stain or finish when wood has been allowed to weather in the elements, or if a previously applied coating has failed. Sanding opens the pores of wood to accept stain, and also removes loose or deteriorated wood fiber that generally leads to premature coating failure and poor results. Sanding can also be utilized to blend or remove remaining stain after the deck stripping process.
After using strippers, many times wood is "fuzzed" and should be sanded using 80g sandpaper following the stripping process.

For potentially dangerous sanding dust, use paper disposable dust collection bags,
and dispose of properly. Use only vacuum capturing sanders, and sweep and wipe clean all surfaces immediately after sanding. Pets and family should not be exposed to sanded surfaces until wood is sealed and protected.

Sanding will usually increase the adhesion and performance of your coating system. Use Dust-Free Deck Sanding procedures, and use all precautions with any potentially dangerous sanding dust. Exotic hardwoods like Ipe and brazillian cherry produce quite hazardous dust as well.

Use caution when working with CCA-treated lumber.
Avoid sawing or sanding, which releases arsenic into the soil and air. If you must sand or saw, do so only outdoors with plenty of ventilation. DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN or Pets TO ENTER OR STAY IN THE AREA! Wear dust masks, gloves, and protective clothing to decrease exposure to sawdust and wash all work clothes separately before wearing them again. Sand only utilizing proper dust collection and disposal methods. Consumers should follow manufacturer recommendations when handling the wood, including the same precautions that workers should take: wear gloves when handling wood, wear goggles and dust masks when sawing and sanding, always wash hands before eating, and never burn CCA treated wood.



SANDING DECK SURFACE


Even NEW Wood, many times, needs sanded due to "mill-glaze" resulting from the Planing and Smoothing Process at the sawmill , which compresses wood fiber, and polishes new wood making coating penetration virtually impossible. Wood that has weathered unprotected while drying over the first few months after installation should be sanded as well to remove weathered surface.

Norton's 3x series paper is also designed for coating removal. The paper really does make a difference. The 3X resists gumming when sanding existing stain or coating.

Most floor coatings will recommend 80g or 60g bare wood sand, but it depends on the coating you choose. We use a Dust-free Palm Sander. If you have sharp corners on boards that could be slightly sanded round, that would be helpful. We always do a final brush vacuum prior to coating application, and actually wipe the surface to insure no dust can interfere with coating absorption and adhesion.

Click here for Project Consultation