5 Tips for Staining Your Deck

Built a new deck or want to clean up and stain your existing pressure-treated deck? Check out some tips from our team for staining your deck!

Moisture Level

The quality of your finish starts with the quality of your deck’s surface. If you just built a new deck or currently have an existing deck, you want to ensure that the moisture level is low enough to stain. Talk to one of our Benjamin Moore specialists about a moisture meter and what you should achieve before you stain your pressure-treated lumber.

Sanding & Screws

If your deck has some imperfections and rough boards, sanding before you stain is imperative. In addition, making sure no nails or screws are poking up above the boards even more critical. Who wants to stub their toe on a nail or screw that is popping up? Consider filling in some of the cracks etc., with wood filler.

Surface Preparation

Start with a thorough deck cleaning, perhaps using a power washer. We carry several different types and brands of deck cleaners and can recommend the best approach. Often decks will have mildew, and without removal, before you stain, can significantly reduce the life of your deck and its finish.

Replace worn or cracked boards

If you refinish an existing deck, some boards may be exposed to water or sun more than others. It is not uncommon to replace a few key boards or stair treads and stringers. Check handrails and make sure they are solid and do not need to be replaced. Sometimes new hardware brackets, screws, or simply a new board is warranted to make your project look new again. Safety should always be your number one priority. If your deck seems overly worn, have an experienced contractor inspect your posts and joists for any rot or stability issues.

Now The Finish

Benjamin Moore has a line of Arborcoat stains designed for outdoor use with many options on colors and finishes. Come into one of our stores and talk to a Benjamin Moore specialist. Have a specific color in mind? Bring your color sample, and if it’s a solid stain, we can match it. Solid stains provide maximum protection and life to your outdoor project.

You can also check out our recent article about Tips for Staining Pressure-Treated Lumber to learn more for your project. Have any questions? Stop by our Madison, Crozet, and Charlottesville locations, and we will be more than happy to help!