Time to Start Thinking About Restaining Your Deck
Sam Lutz • February 26, 2019
Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner. As the weather gets warmer, many of us will be turning our attention to all of those outdoor projects we’ve been meaning to tackle. Two big projects you might want to tackle involve your home’s exterior. Keep reading to learn what you need to treat your deck.
Cleaning Your Deck
Our decks and patios can take a beating throughout the winter. Ice and snow can lead to warping, cracking and discoloration. If you’re planning on redoing your deck this spring, here are few things to keep in mind.
When restaining a deck, you want to wait for a dry, sunny day when the wood has lost its soginess. This makes sure your stain adheres correctly. Next, check for debris and other surface problems. You want to make sure the space is as clean as possible before beginning. You may even need to wash the deck, allowing three days to dry before you start restaining. It’s also important to check your deck for rotted wood. Restaining these pieces won’t do you any good. It’s best to replace them before you start staining, or at least clean them vigorously.
Choosing the Right Stain
Once your wooden deck space is clean and dry, you’ll need to decide what kind of stain you want to apply. Wood-toned and clear stains will allow the natural color of the wood to remain. From there, the shades get darker. Ranging from semi-transparent, semi-solid, semi-solid and solid, it all depends how rich you want the color to be or how much of the wood grain you want to show through.
No matter what finish you go with, make sure it’s optimized for outdoor use. While a good stain coating gives your deck a fresh look, it also needs to protect it from the elements throughout the year. Make sure you’re going with a brand you trust to protect your deck for years to come.
How to Stain Your Deck
Now that you’re ready to start actually staining, there are few things to keep in mind. A natural bristle brush is going to be your best friend for this process. Apply broad strokes to two or three boards at a time. Start your next batch as the previous ones are drying to avoid lap marks that will make the finish look uneven. It’s important to note that less is more. If the stain isn’t as dark as you’d prefer when you first apply it, give it time to dry before deciding if you need another coat.
Finally, take of your deck throughout the years by reapplying your stain when necessary. You don’t have to do this every year, but if you notice your deck isn’t repelling water and wooden boards are remaining soggy, it’s probably a good time to restain.
Visit Ace for All Your Deck Stain Needs
We have the stains and brushes you need to take your outdoor space to the next level. Visit one of our South Hills locations or check out our online store
today!

One of the wonderful things about good wood furniture is that it doesn’t have to be merely functional. It can be beautiful as well. We’ve seen some amazing pieces made with wood stains that are more than just furniture, they’re works of art. So if you’ve got an old table, desk or other piece of wood furniture that needs jazzed up, why don’t you consider using some of our great stains to try one of these ideas.