Deck Finishings

Published by admin on May 2, 2021

The type of finishing you should use on a deck depends on the material.

Redwood or cedar decking:

img: timbertown.com

To maintain the wood’s natural appearance, apply clear (or slightly tinted) wood preservative, rolled on or applied with a garden sprayer, annually.

Composite decking: No finish needed.

Pressure-treated decking:
img: jlconline.com

You can use a clear preservative, let the wood weather to a medium gray by using no finish at all, or finish the decking with a colored stain sealer made expressly for decks. Use alkyd-based products, and follow the application instructions carefully. No deck finish will last long, so plan to recoat every 2–3 years.

1. Sand any rough spots on the deck with a palm sander or a belt sander using 100-grit sandpaper. Vacuum all the dust

2. Apply your finish with a brush, roller, or garden sprayer. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s application instruc­tions carefully

3. In tight areas, such as the corners next to railing posts, spindles, and stair parts, use a brush to force the finish into the wood