Hynes Home Construction and Remodeling – Blogs

Ever wondered why your neighbor’s deck always looks like it was installed a week before the barbeque or party? It’s probably because they maintain it themselves or have hired professional deck repair contractors to do it for them. Think back to every conversation when they may have said “I always work with deck and patio contractors near me.” Or maybe we are wrong and they do install a new deck before every party. The line you are looking for then is, “There are really good contractors for deck installation near me.” Regardless of how your neighbor’s deck looks, the key to keeping yours looking incredible over the years is regular maintenance. And that’s what we are going to look at in this handy guide to staining and maintaining your wooden deck.

Let’s start with talking about new decks and when to stain them.

When do I stain my new deck?
It’s crucial to put a coat of stain or paint on your new deck. This helps with waterproofing the deck floor and keeps your wood from rotting or developing mold. But before you stain your deck, there’s a waiting period you need to keep in mind. Though finish can go on your deck immediately after construction, you have to wait, depending on the kind of wood, to slap on a coat of paint or stain.For pressure-treated lumber, the wood needs six months to dry before stain or any other treatment can be applied.

Kiln-dried lumber needs a month or two of drying before staining or painting. A good test is to pour water over the wood and watch to see whether the water is absorbed or sits on the wood as beads. If you see beads, the wood is still too wet and needs some time to dry.

Green lumber is basically freshly chopped wood. While it isn’t the best option as there is a possibility of cracking when it dries, it is cheaper than most other options. Green lumber flooring needs, at the least, one year to dry before being stained.

For old decks, the test is the opposite of that needed for new decks.

How to know if my old deck needs staining?
Pour some water on your deck, if the water soaks in instead of beading, it’s time for staining or painting. Or check for mold, rotting, or a fading deck stain. Traditionally, a deck requires staining every two to three years. But depending on the climate, season, location, and use, this time could vary.

But even with the regular staining, the question remains, how often can you stain your deck?

How often can I stain/paint my deck?
Staining your deck every two to three years for its entire lifetime is how you can keep it looking new. Remember, that wood discolors in patches, but staining it so, is a bad idea. The difference in color will be evident. So it is important you stain the entire deck unless the discoloration is secondary to the waterproofing effects for you. An oil-based stain can give you the best protection.

When it comes to painting though, the signs are more obvious. When you notice any peeling or chipping, bubbling or flaking, it’s time for a new coat of paint. However, if you haven’t yet painted your deck and are considering it, we would suggest you choose a charming stain over paint. Wood expands and shrinks at different rates so a coat of paint is very likely to peel and flake. If your deck is already painted though, annual maintenance which includes sanding and a new coat of paint should help.

Need a reliable contractor? Call us!
Whether you are looking for wooden deck repair or fiberglass deck repair, Hynes Construction can help. Just give us a call on or fill out our contact form for a callback and free estimate. We are the best roofers on the mainline with expertise in all construction services for residential and commercial spaces.

Michelle Hynes

 (President, Hynes Roofing and Siding)

With over 35 years experience in the roofing and siding industry, Michelle Hynes has built a business from 2 people into over 45 people and 19 trucks!