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Good Lookin' Stains

Here at Decked Out Construction we believe that a deck is the best way to compliment any home. Whether you live in a Ranch in Prince William County or a Colonial in Fredericksburg, VA a deck not only has the ability to add more functionality to your home but it also has the ability to increase the value of your home as well. With the fall and winter seasons quickly approaching the mid-Atlantic, your deck, one of your homes most treasured assets, must be kept protected but also looking great during this time of year. The staff at Decked Out Construction has provided you with a short advice article on choosing the best stain for your deck.

Deck stain is anything but "paint for your deck". Exterior stains are designed not only to enhance the beauty of wood but also to protect it from the elements: sun, rain, and snow. Deck stains have been designed exclusively to battle each one of these elements. Before we can talk about the stain we must first answer a typical question on the minds of consumers, "What is the lifespan on wood stain?" Our answer to you is, "depends upon the elements".

Water and direct UV light are the two elements that have the most effect on exterior wood stains. Decks take the brunt of the abuse during the seasons. They constantly are in the sun and they come in direct contact with water, especially during the winter months when snow can sit on decks for a prolonged period of time. When addressing the issue of UV light, the best advice that we can give any consumer is the more color your deck stain has, the longer it will protect the integrity of the wood. This is due to the fact that more color posses more pigments. Pigments are woods stains first like of defense when blocking the light from the sun.

The heavy rains, snow, and condensation that we often receive here in (NOVA) Northern Virginia also have a major effect on the integrity of wood stain. Over time, wood will become split and cracked. When water is allowed to sit in these cracks for a prolonged period of time it will cause the wood to rot. Cracks and splits should are not protected by wood stain and thus leave the wood susceptible to the elements. The best advice for dealing with water is for you to not allow snow to build up on your deck, also pick a wood stain that can resist the pressures created by water and allow the wood to fully dry.

When choosing your deck stain remember that you have options. Stains are offered in solid colors, semi-solid colors, semi transparent, and fully transparent. Solid color deck stains cover the wood completely and give the wood a painted look. Semi-solid deck stains posses great pigments levels of color but also allow for some of the wood grain to show. Semi-transparent and transparent deck stains let the texture and the grain of the wood show through with providing little to no color. These stains will only last AT MOST three years.

Still having issues about choosing your wood stain? Contact Decked Out Construction today. Our staff will aide you in making the best decisions to protecting not only the look of your deck but the overall integrity of your investment during these fall and winter months.