skip to main content

Porches & Decks

Looking for deck staining advice.

11 years ago

Hello all - I moved into a new house several weeks ago and we are planning on staining our deck. Now our last house had a maintenance free composite deck, so this is all new to us. The deck/screened in porch were built when the house was remodeled in 2009, far as we can tell it is cedar, and are uncertain if it has been sealed/treated in anyway in the past. It gets quite a bit of sun.

I have a couple questions. First, what is best process to stain? What type of treatment should we do to prepare it? What products should we look at?
Second (and I realize this is a personal preference question), how would you treat the screened in porch area? It is obviously all connected but the deck will be getting a ton more sun and fade much faster than the screened in porch. I can't decide if we should just stain the whole thing, or paint some of porch area the same color as the trim of the house to tie it in better. In particular the posts and the fascia board. If we did this, would we continue this to the deck as well?

What would you do?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

kellienoelle
Original Author
11 years ago
And here is the deck portion. Sorry the pictures aren't very good. I snapped them on my way to work this morning and this is where the shadows had fallen. Hopefully enough to get an idea. If you need better photos I can take some when I get home.
southerncanuck
11 years ago
Whether pressure treated or cedar, can't really tell from here but it looks to be cedar, I would leave it alone. If you do stain it be prepared to restain it every 2 years.

If it is dirty deck wash it with 1/4 cup of dish soap, 3 cups of laundry bleach and 1 gallon of water. Search YouTube for a how to.
Related Discussions
Deck stain advice
Q
Comments (2)
We sell LOTS of Sikkens where I work! I've been around the stuff for over a decade, & helping people with their decks. Since you didn't specify which type of Sikkens exactly, I'll start with the most probable: >>>>> SRD- This is the Semi-transparent (Oil OR Water-based...both types available). * You'll see all the wood-grain here. * SRD is a PENETRATING stain....NOT a film-forming product. (think of rubbed-in sunscreen here, vs. applied makeup, which largely sits ON TOP of your skin!) * Too much SRD applied, OR....too many coats, will lead to a dried "skin" on some or all of the deck. This will behave like a blistering/peeling sunburn. * If 2 coats of SRD "have to be" applied...WIPE-OFF whatever doesn't penetrate in 10-15 minutes...NO LONGER. * Whatever doesn't soak in during that 2nd-coat time-frame WON'T....and WILL lead to peeling. * NO MORE than 2 coats of this!!! >>>>> DEK-Finish: * This IS a Film-forming product! * TWO COATS MANDATORY on a "new-wood" scenario. * Plus...the 2 coats MUST be applied to ALL SIX SIDES. This keeps most moisture out of the wood in the first place, which could lead to peeling of the "topside" coats. (think of the outer crust-of-bread idea) * Since most people aren't gonna crawl under a deck that's built, this product isn't used much! * On furniture, handrails, planters, benches, etc., it looks GORGEOUS! * It's literally TWICE the price of SRD too. Our DEK-Finish is ~ $90/gal. >>>>> Log & Siding or Cetol 1/23+: * I hope He's not talking about these, since they're VERTICAL surface ONLY products!! * These also form a film. Faron
...See More
advice on matching deck/railing/ceiling stain for pine and cedar
Q
Comments (0)
I am installing treated pine deck boards on our covered porch, columns (for railings) wrapped in cedar. and tongue and groove (I assume non-treated) as my porch ceiling. I know they won't look exact, but any suggestions on a semi-transparent stain that will tie them all together? Research tells me Penofin, Readyseal and TWP are good options. Any real world experience?
...See More
Advice on deck stain color
Q
Comments (2)
I think it is called Rustic gray not gray pine..sorry
...See More
Garapa deck stain advice
Q
Comments (1)
I would think you wouldn't want dark stain with such a pretty golden wood, maybe something that just tones some of the yellow but not make it a dark brown?
...See More
kellienoelle
Original Author
11 years ago
So, sealing isn't required to prolong the life of the deck? It isn't recommended to protect it from the elements?

This would be good news as this was not a project I was particular excited in undertaking. Plus I was hoping to plant something to hide that lattice on the bottom a bit.
kellienoelle
Original Author
11 years ago
Here are a couple more pics with better lighting and fewer shadows. I am all ears if anybody has any words of wisdom or advice. I am not sure how happy I am with it in its current state to be honest. It looks like it hasn't been maintained. Of course maybe that is just letting the beauty of the wood shine through in somebody elses eyes.
kellienoelle
Original Author
11 years ago
And the screened in porch...
millworkman
11 years ago
You need to weigh out the cost and effort of maintaining versus just cleaning it every year or two. you may get longer life out of it by staining and or sealing it every year or two but in the long run the costs may end up being about even. Cedar as it appears to me as well is naturally decay resistant on it's own, it very well may check (crack) with nothing done to it and it may do that even if stained and sealed.
kellienoelle
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the response. We may try cleaning it per the advise above and see how it looks. If we could not start the cycle of staining annually!
annzgw
11 years ago
Me....I'd paint the trellis and trim, then stain the deck floor. If the trellis isn't stable, consider replacing it with trellis panels that fit between the posts.
It looks like the wood needs a good cleaning, priming and then paint (or stain). Find a painter willing to do the right prep work.
kellienoelle
Original Author
11 years ago
We have a guy who came recommended coming out tomorrow to tell us what needs to be done and provide us with a quote. I tell ya, I feel like I am an intelligent woman well versed in the art of research, but this deck thing has me stumped. Everywhere you read you get conflicting advise.
JoanLast
10 years ago
What did you decide to do? We are attempting to stain our deck this weekend. We had our decks re-stained professionally two years ago. They used Sherwin Williams, Deckscapes semi-transparent. The decks look terrible now. The painter charged me over $5k two years ago and wants to charge $2k to re-do now. The painter had the Sherwin Williams rep out and he did not stand by the product at all. We decided to do it ourselves. We were going to use a Behr solid stain due to CR reviews. Now I'm seeing a lot of people have been unhappy with that product in other reviews. It is so much work; I'd hate to use a bad product. We cleaned the deck yesterday and are planning on sanding and staining today. I was hoping to get some good advice on GW. I'm currently more involved in the kitchen forum.

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Dreaming of a Spa Tub at Home? Read This Pro Advice First

By By Any Design Ltd.

Before you float away on visions of jets and bubbles and the steamiest water around, consider these very real spa tub issues

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Design Tips Learned From the Worst Advice Ever

By Mitchell Parker

If these Houzzers’ tales don’t bolster the courage of your design convictions, nothing will

KITCHEN DESIGN Smart Investments in Kitchen Cabinetry — a Realtor's Advice

By Tiffany Carboni

Get expert info on what cabinet features are worth the money, for both you and potential buyers of your home

LIFE Get the Family to Pitch In: A Mom’s Advice on Chores

By Alison Hodgson

Foster teamwork and a sense of ownership about housekeeping to lighten your load and even boost togetherness

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Refinish a Wood Deck

By Christine Tusher

Keep your deck looking its best — and save feet from splinters — by applying a new stain and sealant every year or so

DIY PROJECTS Cool Tip: Mimic Stain With a DIY Color Wash

Get the look of an oil-based stain without all the bother, using this easy wash made with paint

DECORATING GUIDES Color Your Home's View With Stained Glass

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Interiors get an enchanting perspective with stained glass windows, doors and fixtures that dapple the light

BUDGET DECORATING Budget Decorator: 8 Ways to Make Old Furniture Look Brand New

By Laura Gaskill

Learn stripping, staining, painting and reupholstering basics to make bargain-basement furniture worthy of center stage at home

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Stunning Stain Colors for Kitchen Cabinets

By Jennifer Ott Design

Transform raw wood for custom-looking cabinetry with a stain that fills your need for color but lets the grain show through

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Grout — Stains and All

If your grout is grossing you out, this deep-cleaning method will help it look new again

Sponsored

Columbus Premier Design-Build and General Contractor

More Discussions

Need Custom Railing Glass /Railing

1

Adding character, interest and dimension to the front of house

6

UPDATED **ROCKER COLOR** “Which color ROCKS?”;)) IDEAS???

17

deck ideas wanted

3

Screened in Porch: Need help with pulling design together.

3