For many property owners, their deck is one of their pride and joy features of their property. In addition to being a great place to relax and entertain visitors, a deck can increase your property value tremendously. However, depending on how much exposure to the elements and foot traffic your deck receives, you will need to periodically maintain it. One of these periodic services is to have your deck re-stained. A new stain can provide an aging deck with a full facelift, making it look brand new again, as well as preserving and protecting it from the elements for the last several years.
What is a deck re-staining service? This blog from our Los Angeles deck waterproofing experts will briefly explain the process in some detail.
Surface Preparation
The first thing that needs to be done to your deck is to prepare it for the new stain. If you have stained your deck before, this means removing the old stain or surface. This can be done with a sander, sand-blaster, or even a pressure washer. Afterward, your deck surface needs to be ready to take the new stain, meaning it needs to be dry and free from dirt and dust.
Stain Application
Applying a new stain involves ensuring that the temperature is right for good adhesion (some stains won’t stick if the temperature is too hot or cold) and that the weather forecast looks good. From there, the process of applying your new stain surface will vary depending on the surface of your deck. Wood decks usually involve using a natural-bristle brush. Other surfaces may have the stain rolled on or even sprayed on. Talk to your commercial deck waterproofer to find out more about the application process for your deck and chosen stain.
Stain Maintenance
Once the stain has been applied, it generally needs 24 hours at the very least to properly cure, with many other surfaces needing 48 to 72 hours for maximum effectiveness. Once the initial application is complete, certain stains will need regular reapplication or resurfacing to maintain their effectiveness. In general, most stains should last five years or more, but some may last even longer if you take proper care of them. The easiest way to tell how your deck staining is holding up is to see how your deck reacts to water: if the water is being repelled, your stain is still in fairly good shape. If some is being absorbed, you may want to consider having your deck re-stained soon.
Decks can be an extension of your living space, especially in sunny Southern California. A deck can serve as a gathering place for family and friends or place to relax, but that doesn’t mean that your deck shouldn’t be as stylish and well-designed as the rest of your home. Showcase your personal style and add interest to your deck with patterned designs.
Concrete decks can be painted, stained, or stamped with designs that can show off your creative side. Tinting agents can be used to color concrete surfaces to resemble stone, brick, marble, or other surfaces. If you are installing a new deck, consider pressing your concrete deck with a mold that can add an interesting or natural-looking surface. You can also inlay patterns, ceramic tile, or other small objects to draw attention to your home’s new addition. You can stain your deck with contrasting colors to create different areas or to direct attention to certain features of your yard. A well-planned deck can pull together the landscaping of your yard.
Wood decks can also be patterned. Paint colors and different shades of stain can be used to create patterns. The direction and shapes of boards can also be used to create geometric designs. Herringbone, chevron, basket weave, or diagonal patterns are popular designs for decks. If you are updating your deck or installing a new deck, you may want to explore your choices for a patterned deck. Paint or stain can be used to highlight the patterned inlay of your deck.
Patterns can be used to create visual interest, divide your deck into different spaces, such as a lounge or an activity area, or highlight features such as a pool, a planter, or a water feature. Decks can also be used to create illusions, such as making a small yard appear larger, or adding a natural element to a yard. Decks can also be used to replace lawns or water-intensive plantings to reduce your water usage. If you are looking for a unique way to upgrade your home, a patterned deck may be the solution.
Upgrade your home’s deck with our Los Angeles deck refinishing services . At Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing , we are backed by more than 30 years of experience creating and maintaining beautiful, long-lasting decks. We guarantee that all work performed by our fully licensed and certified contractors will meet your standards, and will last for many years to come. Our crews can even work after-hours and on weekends to ensure that we can meet your busy schedule.
Schedule a free, in-person estimate today! Contact our offices at (888) 508-2966 .
Protecting your deck from weathering and wear can help you protect your investment and can extend the life of your deck. Uncovered decks are particularly susceptible to weathering and will need to be treated more frequently than covered decks. High traffic areas will also wear more quickly, leaving you with an unevenly protected surface. When it comes time to refinish your deck, you will likely want to protect your deck with a long lasting solution. But is it better to paint or stain your deck? Learn more about your options for your deck’s protection.
Paint
Paint is a popular choice to protect your deck. It can offer more protection than stain and sealer, but it isn’t a good choice if you prefer a more natural look for your deck. Here are some pros and cons of painting your deck.
Pros:
Paint comes in nearly any color you could desire. Paint is also solid, which means you can easily cover weathered wood.
Paint can fill small gaps and cracks, and its thicker finish can help repair lightly damaged wood. There are even paints that are available for this very purpose.
Paint can be easier to clean, depending on the color and finish of the paint. Good quality paint and proper application can create a lasting finish that allows dirt to wash off easily.
Paint offers more protection for the wood of your deck. It can resist rot, mold, and sun damage.
Cons:
Paint cannot easily be reversed. If you paint your deck, it can take an incredible amount of work to restore your deck to a state that can be stained.
It can be difficult to find a color that is both complimentary to your home and looks good on a large, flat surface. Light colored paints can be easily stained with dirt, but dark colored paints can trap heat from the sun and be hot to walk on.
Depending on the finish, paint can be slippery when wet. If your deck is uncovered, you may risk a slippery surface.
Paint hides the natural grain of the wood, which can be a drawback if you have invested in a real wood deck.
Stain & Sealer
Stain and a quality sealer is another option to protect your deck. For real wood decks, this can be a popular choice because the natural grain of the wood remains visible. Find out more about the pros and cons of staining your deck.
Pros:
Stain and sealer can showcase the natural beauty of your wood deck.
Stain is less slippery than paint and protects the wood without laying on top to create a slick surface.
Stain is easier to apply and can be more forgiving. If you are looking for a beginner-friendly way to protect your deck, stain can be a good option.
Stain comes in a wide variety of colors, so you can find a tone that compliments your home’s exterior
Cons:
Stain has a shorter lifetime than paint. The quality of stain and the number of coats applied can greatly impact how long the stain lasts.
Stain is a thinner fluid, and won’t fill cracks or gaps the way paint will.
Stain can provide a more natural finish, but this may be a negative trait if you are looking for a cleaner look.
The color of the wood underneath the stain will affect the finished product, so you may have slight variations in your deck’s appearance.
Protect Your Deck with Waterproofing Specialists – (888) 508-2966
An unprotected deck can show wear and tear far more quickly, and the weathering your deck experiences may cause significant damage. Preserve your deck for years to come with our Los Angeles weatherproofing and resurfacing services . At Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing , we can help you protect the value of your home and increase the functionality of your deck. Our licensed and certified professionals can help you extend the life of your deck with high-quality and cost-effective options for your deck.
Many homes, businesses, and properties in Los Angeles have decks that see a lot of foot traffic but do not get a lot of attention. It is not that most people do not care about the conditions of their decks – many people would claim that a good deck can bring the entire house together. Instead, most people are just not aware of what can be done to improve, repair, and care for a deck.
Our Los Angeles deck waterproofing specialists at Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing are truly passionate about making decks and stairs look their best, no matter the weather or wear. We have compiled a useful frequently asked questions section below to hopefully address your most pressing concerns about deck waterproofing, sealing, and staining. Be sure to give it a brief review, or feel free to contact us directly to learn about our services, which are available during the workweek, afterhours, and even on the weekends.
Deck Waterproofing & Sealing FAQ
How often should I service or repair my deck?
You can expect a great weatherproofing job to last at least two years under normal conditions. If there is plenty of shade throughout the day on the deck and you don’t get much rain – in Los Angeles, rain is pretty scarce – it could last up to five years. On the opposite end, heavily trafficked decks in direct sunlight may need waterproofing once a year.
Should I waterproof a brand new deck?
Possibly. Some new woods need a couple months after installation before they are ready for waterproofing, due to the material’s pores, climate conditions, and other factors. Others may need immediate sealing to stop normal wear and tear from turning into noticeable dents and dings. Contact a professional waterproofing specialist, tell them what sort of wood you have in your new deck, and they can get you a proper treatment schedule.
Should I use a darker stain or finish?
Only use dark stains if you are confident a dark, forest-y look will be right for your deck. Once you stain, seal, or finish wood darkly, it can be difficult to go back to lighter or transparent stains in the future. After all, you are staining it.
My railings don’t seem to need to be refinished – why is that?
Sunlight beats down on the horizontal surfaces of decks, where heat can build up and get trapped. The same can be said for harsh weather elements, like rain or ice on cold mornings. Vertical railings don’t take the brunt of the elements and therefore generally look better and last longer than the decks they accompany.
Does occasionally rinsing down my deck actually help?
Absolutely, especially for wooden decks with cracks between the planks. A quick wash down once a week or so can push away bits of dirt, dust, and whatever else is out there before it accumulates into a problem. If your deck has been recently stained, sealed, or weatherproofed, ask a specialist how soon you can wash it down again.
If you are looking to complete a restoration of your home or property, you have probably considered giving your deck some attention. If this is the case, the important question still remains – should you stain it or seal it with a waterproof coating? While both will protect your deck and save you a considerable amount of cash from having to replace the whole thing, they each have their own benefits.
Stains do an excellent job of highlighting the natural beauty of the wood grain in your deck. Choosing the right stain can be a stunning and simple design addition to your space. The durability of a stain will largely depend on the amount of wear and tear your deck receives, as well as its exposure to sunlight, the color of the stain, the quality of the stain, and the quality of the prep work that went into staining the deck previously. Assuming your deck receives a moderate amount of traction and sunlight, you may expect to re-stain your deck once every two or three years.
On the other hand, waterproof sealants provide a protective coating to your deck that can help shield it from the water and weather damage and protect them from rot, increasing the longevity of your deck and saving you from costly replacements. If applied correctly and replaced on a regular basis, water-based or oil-based sealers will cause water to bead up rather than absorb into the wood, preventing the planks in your deck from warping or cracking over time. Sealers should last at least a year, with some lasting up to three years.
Which Should I Choose?
In the end, it basically comes down to a matter of preference. To get the best of both worlds, it may be wise to apply both a stain and a sealant to your deck, or choose a combination stain/sealer product which can help you achieve both the aesthetic and protection you desire. Regardless of which you choose, it is important you trust the job to a knowledgeable professional to avoid damage to your deck.
At Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing, our knowledgeable Los Angeles deck waterproofing specialists have more than 30 years of industry experience and can help you choose an option that best fits your needs. Backed by a customer satisfaction guarantee on all of our work, you can choose us with confidence to provide the quality workmanship you need at a competitive price.
To find out more about how we can assist you, call us today at (888)-508-2966.
