Should I stain my deck?

V1Rotate · Apr 30, 2012

I just powerwashed my deck which is around 30 years old. The deck is made from pressure treated wood and has never been stained or sealed, in fact, it had never even been cleaned. It was really covered with mildew and looked nasty but after cleaning it now looks almost like new, I was amazed.
I guess the question now is, do leave the deck alone or do I put down a sealer to protect it?

bp fick · Apr 30, 2012

We also have had treated decks. Power washing every two or three years and they look like brand new. I'm sure some clear water shedding products would have helped, but still. If a person gets 30-40 years out a treated board? That's more than can be expected, I should think.

No problem giving it a coating or two of Thompson's or similar product, to assist it in shedding water. What isn't something I like to see is painted or paint stained decks. That's a recipe for bi-annual repainting, along with flaking and peeling of solid color paint. Yuk. I hate to create work for myself, as I've enough to do already.

V1Rotate · Apr 30, 2012

I like the natural look of the wood so I am thinking of using a clear sealer.

jinman · Apr 30, 2012

I've used deck stains, but am thinking of going back to natural wood on the deck surface. Nothing holds up in the brutal summer sunlight here. However, the balusters and rails hold stain 4 to 5 times longer than the flat deck surface, so I've been considering staining all rails and balusters and just pressure wash the deck every couple of years. A bleach solution (1 part bleach to 4 parts water) will clean off the mildew and brighten your deck so that it looks new without extensive heavy pressure washing. You do have to be careful what you splash the bleach solution onto, but if you are careful and rinse well before pressure washing, you can control the splash. 10 minutes after you apply the bleach, you are ready to rinse.

NorTracNY · Apr 30, 2012

Just don't use a solid color stain. I've used 2 different brands and they both are horrible. The second brand was suppose to be much better than the first.

General Lee · Apr 30, 2012

I last stained my deck 4 years ago and it could be done again although its not to bad. I got some good stuff from an actual paint store, not the big box store. Much better product and costs about $40 a gallon. 4 years out of a stain is decent if you ask me compared to whats sold at Lowes/Home depot. Again, it doesn't really need it again but would look a bit better. I love the look of a nicely stained deck, but agree once you do it, you just create more work for yourself. My deck is 13 x 43 so it is a PITA to stain.

Also with a stained deck you can't get to aggressive with the pressure washer or you will be starting over with the stain.

MotorSeven · May 1, 2012

No stain or sealer for me ever on any deck. I agree with everyone that the fading and peeling then re-finish is just a hassle. A light pressure washing with bleach water is all I ever do.