skip to main content

Porches & Decks

Do we seal a new cedar porch or wait?

16 years ago

Hi everyone,

We have just put on a new cedar porch. We still haven't put the railings up because we don't know if we should water seal right away or wait. People are telling us different things; Wait 6 months and seal it; sand and seal it right away. We're confused.

We've also heard of "DEFY" deck products that have a clear UV stain/sealer for cedar. Is this the product for us? What products do professionals use? and where do we buy it? We're in Ontario Canada so weather on the porch is a worry. We want to protect our investment. Looking forward to all your info. Many thanks.

Anne and John

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

timandbonnie
16 years ago
I am in almost the same boat- I built a cedar deck last year and used Cabot's SPF-24. It failed miserably and I have just finished stripping all of the finish and sanding. It's almost ready for stain, but I'm concerned the moisture level in the wood will be too high and the temp too cool. I'm in Albany, NY, so winter is knocking on our door.

I'm planning to use ReadySeal, it's on a UPS truck headed to my house right now. I did LOTS of looking on this site and others- Ken at pressurepros was helpful in selecting the product.
timandbonnie
16 years ago
Sorry, all- I made a "typo" above. Actually, it was more of a distraction as my 4 year old was hammering on something... I finally decided on "Baker's Gray Away". Ready Seal was the 2nd choice, but I decided away from it b/c BGA had more positive comments and support from people that I had chatted with online.
Related Discussions
can I wait to seal my marble?
Q
Comments (2)
Let me put it this way-- The last home I owned in Connecticut back in the early 90's, I had a marble shower. The shower walls and bathroom floor were pink argenta and the rest of the walls were statuary white, all with white grout. Not a thing in that bathroom ever got sealed, and it looked just as good 4 years later when we headed to south Florida. I'll let you take it from there. Keep in mind, though-- if you use the shower before you seal, give it atleast 72 hours to completely dry out. You don't want a SPEC of moisture in that stone, or you're going to have big problems with the sealer afterward.
...See More
Product/process suggestions for sealing new Ipe porch
Q
Comments (4)
Finish the deck first. Do not consider any water-based sealants, especially if you want a rich natural wood look. The water based deck finishes are all just semi-transparent acrylic paint. I think they look terrible on tropical hardwood. I recommend the TWP, Penofin, Messmers, or Woodrich. All require annual recoatings to maintain the rich natural wood look. The advantage of these products is the annual recoating is really simple. There is no stripping of the old finish. Just clean, dry, and recoat. Summer is the best time of year to do this. Just check the weather forecast to make sure rain is not coming in the next few days.
...See More
Ken help with new cedar porch
Q
Comments (1)
You would be better off going to the site and geting in line/on line with your demands. The ol Kenster is a little bizie I am thinking.
...See More
cedar sealing
Q
Comments (2)
Paraffin wax in solvent provides good water repellency and retards both liquid water absorption and extractive dissolution. However, as you noted, wax breaks down relatively quickly, and once the paraffin is lost to the point water stops beading you lose the protection. Paraffins also aren;t all that great at UV protection. Instead of paraffin, think Penofin. Penofin is a great UV protector. Probably the best. It comes in "cedar colors" as well to help maintain the new-wood look. If you don;t get to this and the door does weather over winter, you can lightly sand it in the Spring to get back to the fresh cedar look. Then apply Penofin. Here is a link that might be useful: Penofin
...See More
jasper60103
16 years ago
It may be too cold to seal in OC now.
I would clean and stain it next year.

FYI. I used ReadySeal on my porch last year. Its holding up very well.
tito_grow
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your help. WE'll keep looking at posts for more helpful info.

Anne and John

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES The Case for Waiting to Remodel

By Laura Gaskill

We know, you're excited to make your home match your vision. But your vision may change once you've lived there awhile

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Yard Seals the Deal for an Eichler Home

By Lisa Hallett Taylor

Expansive indoor-outdoor living sold a couple on this midcentury California home, now brimming with vintage finds collected over time

REMODELING GUIDES Design Dilemma: How Do I Modernize My Cedar Walls?

8 Ways to Give Wood Walls a More Contemporary Look

WOOD Knotty and Nice: Highly Textured Wood Has a Modern Revival

By Mary Jo Bowling

Whether it's cedar, fir or pine, if a wood has a knot, it's hot

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Porch Life: Banish the Bugs

By Becky Harris

Don't let insects be the bane of your sweet tea and swing time. These screening and product ideas will help keep bugs at bay on the porch

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 7 Ideas to Get You Back on the Front Porch

Remember the good old days, when porches offered front-row seats to street scenes? They can be even better today

PORCHES Give Your Outdoor Rooms a Cozy Winter Makeover

By Laura Gaskill

If you live in a mild climate, enjoy days and evenings on your porch or patio with these tips for staying warm and comfortable

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Recycling an Old Cabin in the Sonoma Wine Country

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Knotty cedar planks combine with Cor-Ten steel in a new modern home with a view worth raising a glass to

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 10 Ideas for Decorating Your Summer Porch

By Laura Gaskill

Watch the world go by from a porch decked out with comfy furniture and inspiring accessories

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Finding the Essential in a Compact Guesthouse

By Nora Burba Trulsson

Waiting out the economic downturn, a Wyoming couple takes up the challenge of living small — with beautiful results

Sponsored

More Discussions

Take it to the next level of CUTENESS

7

Moving Deck Stairs- help!

0

how can I add privacy to this screened porch?

12

new shutters? door paint

7

Screen porch with gray flooring needing a color for shiplap ceiling?

0