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The Big Finish: Stains and Finishes for Cedar Decking
What you will learn: The enemies of your cedar deck; what to do before
you apply a stain to your cedar deck; things to consider as you apply your
choice of cedar decking stain.
Red cedar is a rugged and durable outdoor building material, but your cedar deck
can still be helped against the harshness of climatic elements. You have
several options for stains and finishes that can serve as valuable allies to
your cedar deck.
Although cedar is a highly suitable wood for use as outdoor decking, applying a
finish to your cedar deck is recommended to help the cedar protect itself from
the elements. Rain and the sun’s UV rays are your cedar deck’s natural enemies.
One of the first lines of defense against rain will be a water repellent finish
which will seal the wood from any excessive moisture. If your cedar deck is
located in an area where a lot of rain can be expected, this is a particularly
important consideration, not just at the time of installation, but also over
the lifetime of the cedar deck. It is most important to apply the finish before
the wood begins to weather, to make sure that the wood will adequately absorb
the finish. In cases where the wood has become weathered, it may be necessary
to sand the surface of the cedar deck so its surface will readily absorb the
finish you are applying.
It may also become necessary in some cases to sand the surface of new lumber,
due to a phenomenon called "mill glaze", which is often a by-product of the
planing process. It is important not to apply too much finish to your cedar
deck, as the cedar will absorb only so much of it. Overuse of the finish can
result in a noticeably uneven surface appearance and will later be necessary to
clean off residual layers of finish to make sure that new coats of finish will
be absorbed. However, a word of caution about sanding. Remember that cedar is a
softer wood so when sanding, make sure that you don’t overdo it! Seek advice
from local decking professionals if you are unsure, and always follow the
manufacturer’s instructions on any equipment or products you use on your cedar
deck.
Back to Decking College
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Clear finish stain: Water repellent. This finish will guard your decking against
moisture. It also offers protection against certain levels of UV rays, while
maintaining the cedar wood’s natural color
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Semi-transparent stain: Deep penetration. This lightly tinted stain has
mildew-resistant properties. Mildew is another natural enemy of cedar decking
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Semi-solid stain: Color enriching. This stain will heighten the color of cedar
decking, while maintaining the natural wood grain patterns. This type of stain
is often peel resistant.
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Solid color or opaque stain: Richly pigmented. This stain is often fade
resistant, and may require a primer before it is applied to your cedar decking.
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