Keeping your deck clean is very necessary to ensure that it keeps its beautiful appearance and lasts. Two things like deck sealing and staining are the two most popular deck protection methods. They may appear to be alike but they are used in different occasions and knowing the difference will enable you to make the correct decision on what to do with your backyard.
Understanding Deck Sealing
Deck sealing is the coating of wood with either a transparent or slightly coloured material that forms an inhibitory layer over the wood. The primary reason why people seal is to avoid moisture in your deck, which causes rot, warping and mildew. Sealers are suitable when the homeowner wishes to preserve the natural appearance of his or her timber and at the same time offer quality protection.
The benefits of sealers include the fact that they are not very difficult to maintain and apply. But they tend to offer very little UV protection, so the wood is likely to be able to fade or grey. You are required to observe correct guidelines to ensure that you maintain your deck in good condition by learning what you need to know before sealing your deck. The same can be achieved by applying the deck regularly every two years to keep the deck covered against weather and wear.
What Deck Staining Does
Deck staining and sealing is one step more than sealing and it involves adding colour and boosting the natural beauty of the wood. Stains have pigments, which not only protect against moisture but also offer UV protection, limiting fading under the sun. Stains can be clear, semi-clear, or even opaque, and stains will enable you to get the appearance that will harmonise with your outdoor environment.
A stain can also come in particularly handy with an older deck which has already begun to fade or in a spot that is in the direct sunlight. Similar to sealers, deck stains need the surface to be properly prepared and application is then done periodically to keep them effective.
Major distinctions of Sealing and Staining
Primary distinction is in the protection and appearance. Sealers primarily serve to prevent water damage whilst preserving the natural colour of the wood but stains offer UV and moisture protection and can even change the appearance of the deck. The application is a bit more involved, and the stains are more likely to be interim, although, of course, the process can be quite difficult when it is necessary to make a uniform, solid surface.
In case of the homeowner, who does not know which option to select, it is important to remember both functionality and beauty. Sealing is an easier choice and will still provide the appearance of a natural wood. Staining is more preferred in case colour, UV protection, and sustained results are the main concerns.
Choosing the Right Approach
A combination of the two methods is effective to many homeowners, so that there is a faint colour using a tinted sealer that will also protect against moisture. Also, we can offer you professional guidance on how to stain and seal your deck so that you make a better choice of the consistent product depending on the state of your deck, the type of timber, and the weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
Both these methods are viable ways of preserving your deck, however, they are intended to do various things. Knowing the distinctions, clearing the surface properly, and adhering to prescribed maintenance routines will have your deck looking terrific many years. The combination of the correct approach and application of the correct techniques can help you make sure that your deck is a gorgeous, functional outdoors space.
