DIY Deck and Fence Staining for Home Improvement | Internet ...

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If your house has a deck and/or fenced yard, it is likely made from wood. Wood is the most attractive and durable material for these purposes however, to ensure the wood?s longevity, you need to stain it to protect it from the elements. Read on below to learn about what you should do before applying stain to your deck or fence as well as proper application.

Moisture and changing temperatures can age the wood over time, particularly if you live in a climate where you get snow each winter. Overtime, the freezing and thawing or rain and humidity causes the wood to crack and splinter and eventually rot. Therefore, you should stain the wood to protect it. Not only will you ensure the longevity of the wood structure, it will improve the appearance of the wood as well and the overall look of your home.

Stains come in different types, qualities and colours. And, you need to careful when you apply it as well as how you apply it. First, make sure that the wood is dry and that the temperature is above 5 degrees Celsius. Also, make sure that you clean everything off the surface. If your deck or fence has never been stained before, then you shouldn?t need to do anything special before starting to apply the stain. If however, you?re re-staining the wood a different colour then you?ll need to prepare to do a lot of sanding first before applying the stain. Also, you probably have some areas of your deck that are more worn than others so that even if you?re planning on staining your deck the same colour, you should sand the entire surface first to ensure a nice finish.

Depending on how big your deck or fence is, you may have to plan on several days of work just to complete the sanding part. The good news is that you can rent floor sanders and hand sanders to help you complete the job faster. The hard part is if you?ve got spindles on the sides of your deck. If so, you will need to sand these pieces by hand.

Once you?ve completed the prep of the deck, you can begin applying the stain so long as the weather forecast indicates that there will be no rain for at least 24 hours. Otherwise, all your hard work will just get washed away. Before you go and cover your whole deck with stain however, apply a small amount first on a hidden part of the wood to make sure that you are happy with the colour. Sometimes stains can look very different once you apply them and you see them in bright sunlight. Once you?re satisfied with the colour, you should apply the stain with a nylon or polyester brush and not with a regular paint roller. Make sure you back brush so that the stain is applied evenly and soaks into the wood properly.

Lastly, you should wear a pair of gloves while working with the stain to avoid having to scrub your hands raw after you?ve completed the job. Once you?ve finished you?ll need to wait a full day before walking on your deck or deciding on whether you need to apply a second coat.

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