Why Stain a Deck?
Stain protects decking and railings from the damaging effects of sunlight and the elements. Water, whether from melting snow or tropical rain, causes wood decks to rot, joints to loosen, and nails to pop. Even woods that are resistant to rotting, like cedar and redwood, will rot eventually if they are unprotected from water damage. The ultra violet (UV) rays from strong sunlight dry and weaken the wood fibers. Fungus and mildew may not damage the wood but will discolor it. A good deck stain contains additives to retard mildew and soak into the wood fibers to prevent sun and water damage. Types of Stain. Stain is available in clear, semi–transparent and solid finishes. Clear stains are usually tinted in natural colors to allow the wood grain and character to show through. Although it seems a contradiction in terms, clear sealers are sometimes refered to as “clear stain.” Semi–transparent stains have more pigment and more opaque coloring, while still allowing the look of the natural gr
