Rot, premature aging, and warping can occur from the weather and elements when the boards aren’t sealed. Finishing off your newly-installed cedar deck with a sealant or wood stain will help to prolong the life, beauty, and appeal of the deck for years to come.
When do you treat a new cedar deck?
DO wait 30 days before sealing a new deck. But preservatives in the wood often require about 30 days’ dwell time before the deck can soak up the sealant. After a 30-day period, pour some water on your deck. If it beads up, the wood is still too wet to seal, but if the water is absorbed, it’s ready to seal.
What do you use to seal cedar wood?
Cedar accepts most finishes well, including penetrating oils, such as tung oil and linseed oil. Penetrating oils are especially effective for sealing the grain while leaving the wood looking raw and natural.
What is the best product to use on a cedar deck?
If you’re ready to make an investment in your cedar deck, Cedar Oil is the perfect choice. It not only provides long-lasting protection from the elements but also brings out the natural tones in your wood and allows its beauty to shine through.
Should you stain or seal cedar?
Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay, staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.
Is it better to stain or seal a deck?
Sealing a deck is best for cedar, teak, mahogany, or other quality woods as it enhances the wood grain and natural color. … Staining a deck protects the wood from mold, mildew, moisture, and rot, and UV rays and sun damage.
Is linseed oil good for cedar decks?
Do not use linseed oil on western red cedar or redwood. Mold will grow very quickly, creating a black surface and damage to your wood. … While pure linseed oil is not desirable for wood protection, boiled linseed oil, properly applied, will provide a nice finish and weather protection for your deck.
Should I seal my deck?
You should reapply wood sealer at least every three years. In many cases, you need to seal a wood deck once a year. The more foot traffic and sun exposure your deck gets, the more often you need to apply deck sealant.
Should you treat a new deck?
Brand new decking needs to left alone to weather naturally so that all the pre-treatment has eroded, ready to be oiled. We recommend you wait around six months for it to be fully eroded. Once you’ve waited for the coating to erode, treat your new decking as normal with oil or stain.
How long will an untreated cedar deck last?
Untreated, today’s western red cedar decking will last 10 to 15 years. Regular cleaning and treating can extend that life to 20, or perhaps 25 years.
Article first time published on
How long should deck dry before sealing?
Allow the deck to dry for at least two days before applying a sealer.
What is the best oil to put on cedar?
There are two oil finishes recommended for sealing cedar: teak and linseed. Applied the same way, teak and cedar oils produce a similar protective finish with a warm, hand-rubbed, natural-looking appearance as compared to varnish and urethane. Wipe the furniture with a rag to remove any dust.
What is the best oil to use on cedar?
The best clear Cedar finish stain for outdoors is Linseed oil, hands down. Linseed oil is the primary ingredient in any oil finishes, which dries clear. You can find other clear water-based stains, but will not last nearly as long as a Linseed oil based stain will.
Is Thompson's water Seal good for cedar?
A new Waterproofing Stain from industry leader Thompson’s WaterSeal can not only protect your deck from further damage, but also add rich, beautiful color. … Choose from five popular colors: Acorn Brown, Harvest Gold, Maple Brown, Sequoia Red or Woodland Cedar.
Does cedar need to be pressure treated?
Although cedar naturally resists moisture, it doesn’t do well in chronically damp environments. With proper treatment and maintenance, pressure-treated wood offers better moisture resistance, making it a better choice for humid environments.
How do you protect cedar wood outside?
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.
How do you weatherproof cedar wood?
- Clean any dirt accumulated on the wood. If the cedar has a very smooth finish, scuff slightly with 50 grit sandpaper. …
- Procure a wood waterproofing material. …
- Apply the waterproofing with a brush or roller, as per manufacturer’s instructions. …
- Recoat with multiple coats.
What stain looks good on cedar?
- Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Stain.
- Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain.
- Defy Extreme Transparent Exterior Wood Stain.
- Olympic Stain Elite Woodland Oil Stain.
- Cabot Semi-Solid Deck & Siding Stain.
Should I stain cedar deck boards before install?
As before, we recommend you do not stain new wood prior to installation. Instead, wait 3+ months after installation before staining new wood surfaces. This will allow the wood to weather, creating an ideal porous surface that will hold the stain better.
How do you keep cedar from turning GREY?
To prevent cedar from fading to gray, you need to seal cedar fence with a stain that blocks ultraviolet light and contains a mildewcide, according to Family Handyman.
Is Thompson's Water Seal good for decks?
Thompsons WaterSeal Waterproofing Wood Protector – Best Clear Wood Sealer for Table, Deck and Fences. … It prevents water damage while maintaining the natural color of the wood. It’s our top choice for decks, fences, and outdoor furniture that has a natural wood finish.
What is the best oil to put on a deck?
- Ronseal. Ultimate Protection Decking Oil.
- Cuprinol. UV Guard Decking Oil.
- Osmo. 2-in-1 UV Protection Decking Oil.
- Manns. Premier UV Decking Oil.
- Everbuild. Lumberjack Wood Preserver.
- Barrettine. Decking Oil.
- Liberon. decking oil.
What oil do you use on a deck?
There are two kinds of deck oil: water based and non-water based. Many deck oils are manufactured with UV blockers to minimise sun damage, and most are resistant to fungus and mould. Merbau and Spotted Gum are two of the most common types of timber used in decks.
How do you preserve a new deck?
Apply a wood sealant to your new deck. This helps protect the deck from resin-sapping sunlight and rot-causing moisture by providing the wood with essential natural oils. Use a pump sprayer to spray a small area – just a few feet at a time – of your deck with sealant.
How do I stain my new deck for the first time?
Stain New Deck Right Away. Apply a wood deck cleaner and thoroughly scrub and or pressure wash lightly. Neutralize with a wood brightener. These two steps will remove the mill glaze and “open” the wood pores. Apply a deck stain that is “thin” in viscosity.
What is a good deck sealer?
- Thompsons Waterseal Advanced Natural Wood Protector.
- ECO-SAFE Wood Treatment – Stain & Preservation by Tall Earth.
- Rust-Oleum Coppercoat Wood Preservative.
- CabotStain Australian Timber Oil Penetrating Oil.
- Thompsons Waterseal – Transparent Stain.
What is the best product to put on a new deck?
For its safe, water-based compound, UV and moisture resistance, and deeply penetrating formula, the SEAL-ONCE deck sealer is our first choice. With low VOCs included, this deck sealer applies clear and resists weather conditions and materials like salt, mold, mildew, and algae.
When should I oil my new deck?
For best results we recommend you oil your timber deck every six to 12 months. This will ensure longevity and keep your deck looking great. If you’ve just had your new timber deck installed it may be tempting to oil it straight away to give it that glistening shine, but you may need to let it weather beforehand.
What temperature should you stain a new deck?
If you’re staining your deck in the spring or fall, wait for a day with highs above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, make sure freezing temperatures aren’t in the forecast for that night. If it drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit before the stain has thoroughly dried, it can hinder the curing process.
Does ready SEAL need 2 coats?
Ready Seal is intended to be a two-coat application, and the representation of tones above and on the Ready Seal website is indicative of two coats of Ready Seal.
Should I use polyurethane on my deck?
Do not apply polyurethane to a deck or it may jeopardize the deck’s beauty and longevity. The outdoor elements are too harsh for polyurethane making it a bad choice for exterior deck use. Keep your deck maintained with the proper choice of deck stain and it will be there for you to enjoy for many years ahead.
