Home Style Decorating

No matter what kind of wood you’ve chosen for your deck or patio, all decking can use some type of protective finish. Most finishes may be chosen according to the look you want your wood to achieve. This article discusses various methods to finish your decking to enhance it decoratively, and also to protect it for seasons to come.

Whatever finish you apply, be sure that your wood has been treated with a preservative and water repellant so it will last from season to season. Even redwood and cedar should ideally be given a water repellant for the extra protection if promises. A popular preservative for decking is pentachlorophenol, which is both odorless and clear. It must be applied generously to all exposed decking and its substructure. It will soak into the wood quickly and it should be used as a primer no matter what finish you wish to apply.

Paint is often chosen for decks to either compliment the color of the house or possibly contrast with it for a decorative appeal. Choose a cool day devoid of wind to begin your project. The first requirement is a high quality paint manufactured for outdoor use. A quick-drying, self- priming paint like alkyd paint will be ideal. After you have applied your water repellant, apply a primer and finally your finishing paint. Be sure to allow each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next. For best results, use two coats of your finishing color.

There are a variety of stains to consider if you simply wish to enhance the beauty of the wood or desire a more rustic effect for your decking. A heavy bodied stain will show off the grain but obscure the wood’s texture. A light bodied stain allows the texture to remain visible. Both are fine to use. You will need to coat both with a sealer that is specified as “non-chalking” so it cannot be rubbed off by shoes or patio furniture.

Don’t stain right away once your deck construction is complete. It is preferable to let the wood stand out in hot dry weather for a good month making it better able to absorb the stain. You will also need to apply an additional coat of stain every two or three years as it will wear away in that time.

Some deck owners who install a redwood or cedar deck want to achieve that weathered or bleached look obtained after a year or two in the elements. If you want to speed up this bleaching process, you can purchase decking bleach to acquire this look overnight.

Because you’ve already made a considerable investment by purchasing materials and constructing your deck, it makes sense to guarantee the life of your investment with a protective finish. For long life and beauty, protective finishes are a must for your wooden structures. Not only will your deck be more enjoyable, it will prove long lasting.

The Finish Acr Ltx Pnt White 011701 by Cabot: For all trim and siding surfaces. Bonds to clean glossy surfaces previously coated with oil/alkyd or latex based paints and enamels without requiring priming or sanding. Reinforced with PTFE Surface Protector. Provides a durable finish. Dries to a unifo rm, low-lustre finish.

Outdoor Clear H2O Gloss 250031 by Varathane: Scratch and impact resistance. UV protection from ultra-violet rays of sun. Transparent. Non-yellowing. Low odor. Water clean-up. Fast drying. Apply up to 3 coats in one day.

Wood Finish Exterior Diamond Gloss Finish 250041 by Varathane: Scratch and impact resistance. UV protection from ultra-violet rays of sun. Transparent. Non-yellowing. Low odor. Water clean-up. Fast drying. Apply up to 3 coats in one day.

FIRST-STEP WOOD SEALER: Superior for sealing wood decking - tight water seal lasts longer than the competitor. First-Step is non-toxic, water based and odorless when dry. Dries in just minutes (never gels). After using FIRST-STEP you may stain with oil or acrylic stain. FIRST-STEP eliminates warping and seals wood-knots.

Best Look Wood Sanding Sealer: A clear sealer for use on new or freshly sanded interior wood surfaces. Prevents raising of the wood grain and is an excellent first coat for use under both gloss and satin varnishes. Not recommended for use under polyurethane varnishes.

WATERLOX 1 QT: Waterlox is a versatile tung-oil based finish which is an excellent finish for walking sticks and canes as well as all types of woodwork. The first coat penetrates and seals, while following coats build up the surface. Waterlox can be sprayed, rolled, brushed or applied with a lint free cloth. Finished surfaces are dust free and hard and will withstand water for a brief period making this an ideal finish for the rigors of outdoor use.

Defy TimberBright Wood Brightener: Defy Exterior Wood Brightener is an oxalic acid deck brightener for wood deck cleaning that removes dirt, grime, tannin, rust and fungi stains from wood surfaces. Find out how to clean your wood deck for the best results to restore the wood’s natural beauty. Defy Wood Brightener is a liquid concentrate that is mixed 5:1 with water to brighten and restore the natural beauty of exterior wood.

Defy Wood Stain Cedar 5G: Defy Epoxy Fortified Professional Deck Stain Staining pressure treated wood is easy when you use this professional deck stain. Defy Epoxy Fortified wood deck stain comes in 5 semi-transparent deck stain colors - Natural Pine, CedarTone, Light Walnut, Redwood and Driftwood Gray. Defy Epoxy Fortified wood stain is a high performance semi-transparent penetrating finish that helps prevent the destructive effects of water, fungi, and UV radiation on exterior wood. With its unique epoxy fortified synthetic resin, this product is able to penetrate wood pores to block out the damaging effects of weather while allowing the natural beauty of the wood to shine through. Defy Epoxy Fortified wood stain is ideally suited for staining pressure treated wood and can be used on interior or exterior wood surfaces including: wood siding, log homes, decks, fences, shake shingles, outdoor wood furniture, pressure treated lumber, and all other naturally porous wood surfaces. For smooth hardwoods, such as cedar, mahogany, redwood, and other dense woods, use:Defy Deck Stain for Hardwoods.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.