You should seal your wood deck, but why? We answer that here.
Fall is one of the best seasons for cleaning up the outside of your home before winter sets in. If you would like to prepare your deck for cool weather outdoor enjoyment, you might need to seal it if it is made of wood. You likely have heard that you need to seal your wood deck, but why?
Why Should You Seal a Wood Deck?
Even with preservative chemicals and natural resins, deck lumber will rot quickly if you do not maintain it. Wood is meant to break down in the wild, but your wood deck is meant to last for at least a couple of decades. Sealants for wood decks protect your deck against moisture, insects, and dirt. It protects its structural integrity.
What Is Sealant?
There are three things you could apply to your wood deck: paint, stain, and sealant, and you do not want to confuse them.
Paint is simply paint; it will shield your deck against UV rays, but it will eventually chip off and is not suitable for protecting your deck against moisture, insects, etc.
A deck stain may or may not include sealant. Like with stains for wood furniture, the deck stain will seep into the wood’s surface and give it a nice color. Deck stains can vary in how solid their colors are.
A deck sealant alone is clear and is a 100% protective liquid. It will not keep the deck from weathering from the sunlight, but it will give it that essential guard against rotting.
The best solution is to either use a deck stain with a sealant or first stain the deck and then seal it after the stain dries.
When to Seal Your Wood Deck
- 30 days after a new deck installation
- When the temperature and weather is mild
- When the deck is dry
- When the deck soaks up moisture rather than repels it
- After you have cleaned and repaired the deck
Upgrade Your Home and Reach Out to Freedom Fence Today
Whether you want a brand new patio in the spring or want to install a beautiful new wood fence, Freedom Fence and Home has the expertise, competitive prices, and professional service you need. Freedom Fence and Home has over 50 years of fencing experience in the Baltimore County area, Harford County, Essex, White Marsh, and Bel Air area, and we pride ourselves on giving our customers the best customer service experience possible. To see examples of our work and pick the right backyard feature for your home, explore our website. To get started on planning your project, give us a call at (443) 271-6841, or visit us online. For more information, tips, and updates about Freedom Fence and Home, follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.