So you are wondering whether to apply stain on your deck or just let it beat the weather as usual. A stain finish on lumber, cedar, or any other wooden deck looks fabulous, alongside other benefits. However, some homeowners are still apprehensive about doing this. To address these apprehensions and find out why staining a deck is a great idea, read on.
1. Provides Natural Look
Staining offers an opportunity to give the deck a natural appearance. The market is full of all sorts of colors for stains, so the homeowner cannot go wrong. You want to enhance the natural look of the deck, so you can try colors such as semi-transparent, redwood natural tone, timberline and Autumn Gray.
2. Controls Degradation
Like any other outdoor space, the deck is prone to degradation. For wooden decks, the three major causes of this problem are insects, weather exposure, and fungi. Fires and open flame on or near the deck can also cause degradation. The elements that promote degradation include the wood itself-a popular food source for insects and fungi-and oxygen. Staining addresses all of these by sealing the wood and preventing spores from settling in the wood, and discouraging pests from chewing into it.
3. Controls Mold
Apart from being an eyesore, deck mold, a variety of fungus, eats the material and compromises its structural integrity. Definitely, you would not want this kind of thing to remain on the deck for long. Controlling mold formation is simple: just make sure that no moisture finds way into the wood.
To do this, stain your deck annually to keep off the fungus.
4. Protects from Sunshine
Sunshine damage on the deck is common in the sunnier states, because of the effects of harmful UV radiation. This damage often shows as gradual graying of the top layer, especially for decks that have not been stained for two or more seasons. The best way to fight against this damage is to choose the stain carefully, ensuring that it contains enough pigment. For this purpose, the darker stains are more preferable because they block more UV radiation.
5. Decorates Home
Outdoor home decking systems are powerful tools of enhancing curb appeal. There are many ways to enhance this further, one of them being the application of a quality stain. Your experts in deck systems can help you with ideas of the best fresh coats of stain that can revitalize the outlook of your home.
6. Minimizes Repairs
Since deck staining keeps elements away, it is safe to say that this translates into your deck requiring repair less frequently. Without this procedure, wood is likely to warp, crack, bend, or even rot away at a fast rate. When you are staining, remember to identify any damage and repair it beforehand.
You may wonder what makes a good deck stain for controlling mold and other issues discussed here. The best stain for any deck will depend on the type of wood and user preferences. Another factor is the desired finish. Overall, a deck stain is either water-based or oil-based.
As you plan home improvement projects this season, remember to put deck staining on the list. The list of benefits is extensive, including everything from increasing deck durability to enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Remember also that every deck is unique in terms of size, climate, the view it allows, material, and so forth, so the effect of improvement is sure to have huge ramifications.
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