Stain and decks
Stain vs paint, opacity levels, and timing on new wood.
Should I paint or stain my deck?
Stain is usually the better choice for deck floors. Penetrating stains soak into the wood and wear away gradually instead of peeling, which makes recoating easy. Paint and solid stains give more color and hide worn wood, but on walking surfaces they tend to peel and need scraping before recoating.
Full answerWhat is the difference between transparent, semi-transparent and solid stain?
The difference is how much pigment they carry. Transparent stain shows the full grain and needs recoating most often. Semi-transparent adds color while grain still shows and is the usual deck choice. Solid stain covers like thin paint, hides the grain and old color, and lasts longest but can peel on floors.
Full answerHow long should I wait to stain a new pressure-treated deck?
Wait until the wood is dry enough to absorb water. Sprinkle a few drops on the boards: if they soak in within about 10 minutes, it's ready. That often takes a few weeks to a few months depending on the weather. Lumber stamped KDAT (kiln-dried after treatment) can be stained right away.
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