Better to stain wooden deck in spring or fall?

Question

We live in a harsh winter location and snow sits on the deck all winter long. I do an annual recoat with semi transparent stain. My wife says spring is better-the deck will look nice while we use it the most. I have been doing it in the fall on the theory of providing maximum water repellency for the winter. And we have dogs who run on the deck all summer long, scrathcing it with their nails.

Answer 1

Fall. You wait till spring it will be too wet for to long.

Answer 2

I don't live UP North any longer, but do install decks. I never stain them,,,though I like to say the customer is always right,,,even when they aren't.

I treat the wood certainly,,,with Thompsons, or some such, and always use treated lumber anyway.

The thought here is,,,DO IT when you know you'll have at least 2 days,,,48 hours of DRY,,,and follow the temp instructions on the label,,,IE: Should be applied between 58 and 75 degrees,,,etc. Longer would be better if the deck has endured a lot of WET.

The rational is the absorbtion rate,,versus the temps and dryness. The stain will dry/cure in the best of conditions in 48 hours at the outside,,,perhaps less in more ideal environmental conditions.

Without meaning any offense, I understand that you,,,and your wife might have an actual color in mind. In my experiences, I treat during installations and advise pressure washing on a schedule when the wood "SILVERS" In that experience, even on my own decks, I am able to bring back the original wood tones, and then water proof treat after the pressure wash dries.

You don't state the stain type,,,IE water based or,,,,? If it's an oil based stain, you may still eventually have it show abnormal shading in those areas of grain where the nasty weather didn't degrade it?

Bottom Line,,, Plan a stain date around 2 days in the proper temp range and 48 hours for a walk on cure.

Rev. Steven

Answer 3

I believe winter is harder on decks than summer. On that theory, I treat my deck in the late summer or early fall hoping to limit the damage winter causes with freezing, melting and otherwise doing to my deck what it does to my roads.

Granted it s not as pretty all summer long with a fresh coat of oil, but it still looks pretty darn good.

PS: We do our best to keep our dog s nails short because they do tear up the deck.

Answer 4

I stain my deck 2 times a year. spring and fall. it keeps the deck NEW looking all year long. the wood has a constant supply of sealer and uv protection. it doesnt takes as long to do, bc the wood is in good condition. My deck in colo, 300 + days of sunshine, made of redwood still looks new.

Answer 5

i do it in the spring but before the bugs and the hot weather
harsh winter weather i have to shovel my deck 2 3 times a yr and after i shovel the roof last year had 8 ft snow on the roof had to get it off

Answer 6

I'm a guy, and individually, I don't like long nails. I know a lot of like very long, painted nails cause they're "so pretty", but I don't like them.

Answer 7

A little bit of toe nail is fine... but I agree together with you. Long nails are kinda major.

Answer 8

Cabot stain is the best brand out there. They have oil based, but they also have solid color acrylic stains. Going that route, it would be water clean up. Very easy maintenance.