The best wood stains for new cedar are deep penetrating paraffinic oil-based stains that are thinner in viscosity. Stains for new cedar wood should dive deep into the wood to condition the wood cells and provide protection from UV fading and moisture damage.
Staining Cedar With a Semi-Transparent Stain
Semi-transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection. The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar's wood grain.If your cedar deck is newly installed, you'll need to sand* the cedar boards prior to staining. The planing process causes an oily surface on the boards that can hinder the wood stain from penetrating the wood. For an existing deck, you may need to sand* to remove loose wood fibers.
If you wait a year, the wood will turn gray, and may even show deterioration from the weather. Cedar should be stained as soon as it will accept the stain.
It is one of the most stable, rot- and insect-resistant species of wood available, but it also benefits from some type of sealant. Cedar typically has a light gray color. When you see dark cedar, it has already been stained. The procedure for sealing cedar is the same for natural or stained cedar.
- Sweep or brush off the cedar area completely with your broom, removing any large debris and any dirt that can be brushed off easily.
- Mix the exterior wood wash, according to package directions, with water in the large bucket.
- Clean off the wood wash mixture using a power washer or garden hose.
- Dry the cedar.
Western Red Cedar is one of the world's most durable woods, as it has a natural resistance to moisture, decay and insect damage. Northern White Cedar is the lightest of any commercial wood in the United States. It is even-grained and finely textured. The heartwood is resistant to decay and subterranean termites.
What are the most popular deck stain colors?
- Cedar Tones and Semi-Transparent Colors. Cedar is by far one of the most popular deck colors and will fit on any deck and in any garden.
- Brown Tones and Semi-Transparent Colors.
- Honey Tones and Semi-Transparent Colors.
- Redwood Tones and Semi-Transparent Colors.
Remove any existing deck stain color using a paint stripper or sander. Make sure the paint or stain is uniformly removed from the wood surface and no patches remain. This will help your new stain look the same across every part of the deck. Once all of the color is removed, you can proceed to cleaning the deck.
Staining over stain is easy and works beautifully if your applying a dark stain over a lighter stain on raw wood. 2. You can mix 2 or more stains together to make DIY custom stains. 3.
Most pros recommend you restain a horizontal surface every two to three years. That said, properly preparing, cleaning and drying the surface before applying a stain will yield the best results for the stain to last at least that long. You want to make sure there are no traces of sealant present on the deck.
The following top 10 deck stains are rated from one to five stars, based on the consumer criteria identified above.
- Sikkens Cetol Dek Finish.
- Cabot Decking Stain 1480.
- Sikkens Cetol SRD.
- Cabot Semi-Transparent Deck and Siding Stain 6300.
- Wolman Durastain.
- DEFY Epoxy Fortified Wood Stain.
- Superdeck Semi-Transparent Deck Stain.
If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to displace the stain. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off.
Best 5 Deck Stains For Weathered Wood In 2020
- Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain By SaverSystems. Protects Wood from Damaging UV Rays.
- DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stain.
- Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain for Decks.
- Tall Earth Weathered Wood Finish.
- KILZ L832211 Exterior Waterproofing Wood Stain.
Consider the color of your home.
If your home is yellow, beige, tan, or brown, almost any tan or brown deck board should work. Just watch the undertones and level of contrast. If your home is red, gray, or blue, you could opt for these same colors or go with a gray board.Recoat with multiple coats. Cedar typically needs to be retreated every two years, but this can be extended with multiple waterproofing coats. For maximum lifetime, apply as many coats of waterproofing as the cedar will absorb. If you plan to paint the cedar after waterproofing, do not treat with more than one coat.
Left untreated, both Western Red and Northern White Cedar will weather to a beautiful soft silver gray. Untreated cedar is natural and pleasing, however, the wood is porous and over the long term may become discolored if left in damp or shaded areas.
The sealer will protect your cedar for several years. The exact amount will depend on the brand you use. But, you still want to sweep and wash your cedar area at least once a year to keep it from graying.
The best wood stains for new cedar are deep penetrating paraffinic oil-based stains that are thinner in viscosity. Stains for new cedar wood should dive deep into the wood to condition the wood cells and provide protection from UV fading and moisture damage.
Cedar offers a durable option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay, so a protective finish is optional. If you're using cedar for an outdoor project, give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight.
Cedar is naturally rot resistant and will last for a long time with little or no maintenance, but sealing your deck will extend its life, ensuring that your deck will be around for many years to come.
Cedar offers a durable option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay, so a protective finish is optional. If you're using cedar for an outdoor project, give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight.
Signs & Causes of Dry Rot on Decks
Untreated wood is susceptible to rot and decay over time if exposed to moisture, mold and insect damage. The most common and most serious rot issues involve an incorrectly installed ledger board that allows moisture to penetrate the house wall.The stain is Durable:
Another important reason why stain lasts longer than paint on cedar siding is that they are durable enough to take foot traffic. In fact, food traffic results in more abrasion than regular paint is meant to take. Due to its durable nature, stain protects wood better than the normal paint.While extremely old cedar can be painted, it requires heavy preparation. Even then, the paint is not expected to last long. Surface preparation is the key to success when dealing with weathered wood. The siding must be free from mold, mildew, and dirt.
What causes these black marks? The most common culprits are tannins, mildew, and mold. Tannins ordinarily leach from cedar wood, and do not normally cause any problems. However, when tannins mix with metal and iron, a chemical reaction occurs and a black stain can form.
On bare new or restored cedar, apply one coat only of water-repellent preservative (1% or less of wax by volume and content). Allow it to dry for the period of time recommended by the manufacturer. If the wood has been dip treated, a longer drying time may be needed.
Because cedar siding is receptive to paint or stain, homeowners can easily add, change, or extend the color of it over the years. With new cedar siding, all coating options remain on the table including semi-transparent stains.
