Often times, I have clients ask how often they should have their deck or fence stained.
The short answer: Most manufacturers will state every 1-3 years for decks that are in direct sunlight or take a beating from the elements with the seasonal states across the US.
If there is a side of the deck or house that’s more shaded or protected by a pergola than those areas in direct sun, these areas may be able to withstand 5-7 years before needing to be stained again.
Overall, when it comes to stains and projects, every project is unique and different, and if you are unsure, you should consult a professional painter that has experience in working with stains on homes, decks and fences as well.
For those more inexperienced, the risk of uneven application, or incorrect application techniques could leave you with a lackluster finish, not only being unpleasant to the eye, but compromising the longevity of the entire staining project.
As with any painted house or deck that’s been stained, you’ve probably noticed over time how certain sides of a house or portions of a deck may be weathered more severely. Usually, the appearance is that of a washed out lighter color, water stained, or even exhibiting peeled areas of paint or oxidated appearances showing that chalky look that won’t go away even with a good pressure wash job without use of strong chemicals.
These above are all indications that the life of your paint or stain is nearing its end, and it’s time to perform another adequate application to preserve the wood, and the appearance of your most important asset, your home!
With painting projects, there is a greater amount of UV protection upon application, which ultimately prolongs the life of your coating application in comparison to oil based transparent or semi transparent stains that still show the characteristics of the wood.
The plus side to stains is they give homes character and aesthetic appeal. Nothing looks more beautiful than an accented beautifully oil stained fence or deck, or accented stained cedar shakes above some freshly painted siding.
There are pros and cons for any type of stain you will use, such as a solid based stain vs a transparent or semi transparent stain and every scenario merits the use of one over the other.
If you are unsure which type of stain to use for your next project or not quite ready to tackle the entire project yourself, consider hiring professionals such as Three Rivers Painting, who specialize in stain applications on both siding, decks and fences to leave you with a seamless customer experience and top quality finish.
Hope to see you out there during the exterior season..