Staining Your Wooden Deck

Wood stain protects and beautifies your wooden deck. Stain is applied like paint, with a brush (never a roller), but the difference between stain and paint is that the grain is visible through the stain. With paint, on the other hand, the grain is obscured. For outdoor use, stain is advisable, because it provides a natural look and does not chip or peel the way paint does. A stained deck, also, will be more resistant to insect attacks, sun damage, and rot caused by water seepage.

You can stain your deck in any color imaginable. Certain stains will cover the wood, almost like paint, while still allowing the grain to show. The semitransparent type will highlight the wood grain, making certain areas darker than others. This gives your deck depth and a natural feel.

Stains come in many different colors. Depending upon the wood, the stained color may or may not be what you bargained for. Different wood stains differently. For example, if you stain pine with pecan - a particular color of stain - it turns very pink. Always test the stain on a small sample of your wood, before you start your staining project, you don't want to be surprised and have to live with a deck that is the wrong color. Stain is very hard to remove once it is applied and dried.

The number of coats that you apply will determine how prominent the grain is. That is, the more coats the less grain you will be able to see. One or two coats of stain are usually sufficient, and it can be reapplied next year, to keep your deck in tip top shape.

Aside from the aesthetic value, staining your deck serves to protect the wood. Unprotected wood will succumb to the ravages of sun, water and insects much faster than wood that is treated with a stain.

Some stains have a water sealer incorporated into them. This saves time, so you don't have to apply water sealer separately. The water sealer is very useful if your deck is near a hot tub or pool. This protects your wood from the damage that chlorinated water can cause. If you live in a moist climate or by the ocean, it is advisable to use a water sealer as well.

If you are applying more than one coat of stain to your deck, make sure the first coat is dry, or almost dry, before applying another. If you are applying a water sealer separately, again be sure the stain is completely dry before applying the water sealer.

If the weather is right, and your deck is a moderate size - 8 feet, by 8 feet, then the staining project should only take you about a day, including the drying time between coats. The time to complete the project may vary due to the weather; if it is too humid, it will take much longer for your first coat to dry. Thus, you may not be able to apply your next coat until the next day or even later. Do not apply stain in the rain. It will run and not adhere. If the weather is too hot, the stain may dry too quickly and won't cover the deck evenly.

The amount of stain required to complete a stain project depends upon the size of your deck. You will need 1 quart for 10 square feet of deck. Make sure you have enough to complete your project, because, different cans of stain will have subtle differences in color - they won't always match exactly.

There are dangers when you use wood stains. They are dangerous or fatal if swallowed. Be sure to keep them away from animals and children. Call poison control immediately if someone accidently swallows some of the stain.

Do not get wood stain in your eyes. Wear safety glasses, to prevent this.

Many wood stains wash off the brushes with water; however, stain does not come out of clothing. Wear old clothes or coveralls when applying stain. It will also stain your hands, but should come off if you wash your hands before the stain is completely dry. Wear lightweight cotton gloves, or latex examination gloves, if you don't want to get your hands stained.

Wood stain kills grass. Put a drop cloth over the grass and any shrubs to protect them.

You can use wood stain to allow your deck to match or contrast with your house. You can be as creative as you would like, since there are so many colors available and so much you can do with them. You can personalize your deck to make it truly your own.