What is the best way to cover unfinished wood for the winter?

Question

I just recently had my front porch redone and it has been way too cold to do anything to it. It is a 1x4 T&G pine flooring. How should I cover it? Plastic doesn't seem like a good idea because the moisture would be trapped underneath, wouldn't it?
Would the flooring last all winter until I could get a warm enough weekend to coat it?

Any help is much appreciated

Answer 1

Don't cover it with anything. It will do more harm than good. In the spring wash it with a bleach and TSP solution and rinse with a power washer. Give it two days to dry and apply whatever coating you want.

Answer 2

Cover it with plastic and make sure you don't have openings where water/snow cannot leak or blow under it. Usually in the winter there is not enough moisture in the air to hurt the wood underneath. Do not leave pine exposed to the elements, it will not last and you will see buckling and discolorization by spring. check out your paint/stain and read the can for not only temp. requirements but drying time temptress as well!! It may be warm enough to paint but wont stay warm enough to dry effectively all day or days....costly mistake
i would advise not to put any water prover on the floor....this may have an adverse affect when you go to stain or paint it at a later date. Cover it really, pick a stain/paint and regardless of what anyone tells you read the label/s on the cans and complete it as soon as possible. Most products have an 800 number on them for cust. service too.
Keep in mind that paint traps moisture and will cause your porch floor to rot faster over time......

Answer 3

it should be ok if you have to wait till spring.. but i would hit it with some water repellent treatment asap.. .have it ready to roll and when the temp gets above 45 by 10am . thats way its has enough time to dry before dark or temp drops below 30

Answer 4

coat it asap, when its dry,