Misconceptions Can Ruin A Good Deck

When it comes to that popular American home fixture, the wood deck, there are a lot of misconceptions. They range from which wood product lasts the longest to whether paint or stain protects better than other products.

The people at Wolman Wood Care Products field a lot of these questions. Here are some of those misconceptions:

Pressure-treated lumber, cedar and redwood are maintenance-free.

Years ago, cedar and redwood came mainly from “old-growth” trees with high levels of resin that were naturally resistant to decay and insects. Much of the cedar and redwood used in deck construction today is from younger, second-growth trees. These trees are less resistant to biological enemies. They’re also susceptible to damage from rain and sunlight.

Lifetime warranties for pressure-treated lumber cover mainly decay and insect attack. But it still must withstand the weathering cycles of getting wet and then drying.

New wood should be allowed to weather or “season” for several months before applying any type of finish.

Letting new wood go for even a few weeks after installation can cause damage and surface degradation that can interfere with the adhesion of a finish coat.

All clear finishes are pretty much alike.

The terms “water repellant” and “water sealer” are used interchangeably. They refer to products that protect wood from rain, dew and snow.

For decks it’s best to choose a water repellant designed specifically for exterior wood. These tend to contain mildewcides and long-lasting water repellants.

Paints and solid-color stains offer the best protection for wood decks.

For most applications, paint is effective against sunlight and weathering because it forms a physical barrier that blocks out the elements. On horizontal finishes, however, paints and solid-color house stains are not suitable. Standing water can work its way beneath the film, resulting in blistering and peeling.

Penetrating semitransparent stains, water-repellants and clear finishes are best for horizontal surfaces. These products generally don’t blister with age.

When applying deck finishes, more is better.

Most deck finishes are designed to penetrate the wood rather than form a film on its top. Putting on too much leads to a buildup of the finish, forming a film that can ultimately crack, blister or peel.