The Grown-ups Guide To: Do I Really Need to Stain My Deck?
Nobody likes to be told to do something they don’t want, especially when that something is like putting stain on a deck. We’re adults, mind you. If I want to stay up late, eat ice cream out of the carton, and leave the toilet seat up—welp, you’re darn tootin’—that’s what I’m going to do. [Note: […]
Nobody likes to be told to do something they don’t want, especially when that something is like putting stain on a deck.
We’re adults, mind you.
If I want to stay up late, eat ice cream out of the carton, and leave the toilet seat up—welp, you’re darn tootin’—that’s what I’m going to do.
[Note: Reminder to not let my wife read that part about the toilet seat. I’ve already been warned.]
And if I’m not inclined to stain my deck, what’s the worst that could happen?
How long will a deck last without stain?
It may surprise you that a custom wood deck from DeckTec has a lifespan of at least 25 years. Many of our original decks, which we call timeless decks, are still kicking and looking better every year. Even more surprising, those numbers are on par with those of the leading PVC composite manufacturers.
Have we seen plenty of examples of decks that don’t look like they’d last a cup of coffee, let alone a quarter century? Sure. But that’s more a matter of craftsmanship, not the inferiority of wood. The woods we choose and our fantastic crew of carpenters ensure that a deck from DeckTec has every opportunity to serve as your backyard centerpiece for decades to come.
Do I have to stain my deck?
The simple answer is no.
Longer answer: no, but.
You can do whatever you want. Remember? You’re an adult.
Stain serves three purposes on a deck. The first is aesthetics. Untreated deck surfaces will oxidize and turn to a silvery grey. Stain provides a rich pigment to the wood that looks fresher, more vibrant, and visually appealing when thoughtfully selected.
Nothing is better than when a freshly refinished deck pops between a beautiful house and lush landscaping. Others may prefer to complement the natural beauty of their yard by going au natural.
The second reason is to act as water-resistant sunscreen for your deck. Here in Colorado, the sun (and all of our other wacky weather) can be intense. It can do a number on a deck just like it can do a number on your garden hose or the kids’ toys that are left out in the sun. By routinely administering stain, you protect the wood from harmful rays just like we do for our skin. And by now, we’re old enough to know that slopping on some sunscreen is the intelligent thing to do.
Despite all the sun, moisture, too, can rear its ugly head on decks, including plastic-based composites. Luckily, wood stain acts as a barrier, forcing moisture to bead up and evaporate, or the impatient can squeegee it off.
The final benefit of staining is protecting high-traffic areas of your deck from wear and tear. You might notice worn or bare spots on your deck that have been previously stained and lament its appearance, but this is a sign the stain has done its job. Rather than wearing down the precious deck itself, the stain has taken one for the team. And when you do choose to get the deck refinished, less effort will be involved to rejuvenate and buff out your pooch’s claw marks.
While staining offers numerous benefits, consider the type of wood used for your deck. Some hardwoods, like cedar, redwood, or ipe, naturally contain oils and resins that provide inherent protection against moisture and decay – even insects! These woods may not require staining as frequently as softer woods. However, even hardwood decks can benefit from occasional staining to maintain their appearance and longevity.
How do I maintain a deck if I choose not to stain it?
The good news is that you don’t have to stain your deck. Let DeckTec do it for you!
Other things you can do to avoid needing to refinish your deck include:
- Putting potted plants on rollable stands to prevent marks on your deck
- Use a plastic snow shovel that won’t gouge the wood when shoveling.
- Going with the grain when shoveling to avoid damage and sweeping the snow when possible
- Avoid mats that restrict air flow, and move furniture often to avoid wear and tear in specific walkways.
Just because you can go without staining your deck doesn’t mean you should go without staining your deck.
And we know that. Because we’re adults, it’s called adulting.
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If the market value of your home is important to you – as it is for many – adding a custom deck can increase your house value.
If you’re considering adding a custom deck to your home, reach out to HFS Financial for all of your home improvement financing needs. HFS makes it easy to fund your project with minimal documentation requirements, no equity or appraisal needed, and direct-to-consumer funding.
Adding or improving an existing deck can add a number of beneficial features to your home. Not only can a new deck improve the value of your property, but it can also make your home more enjoyable for you and your family.
HFS Financial also offers 120% financing, allowing you some financial wiggle room for those unexpected hiccups that you may find along the way of your deck-building journey. All funds are paid directly to you, the consumer, so there’s no need to coordinate contractor work with payout schedules. Handle your project your way.
Once we’ve received your information through our 60-Second Loan Application, you will be notified of possible loan options quickly to discuss and review your loan terms and the home improvement project you have in mind.
My husband Matt and I [...] have moved away from the home where we had the beautiful deck and outdoor living space you created. We will forever remember fondly that beautiful deck, and the hard work you did during a very bad economic time to fix problems around the foundation of our home. Steve, Keith, and all of your workers were fabulous and we sent several of our friends your way with referrals. We are sure that your deck helped us get a wonderful offer on our home.
We just wanted to tell you how much we enjoy the decks DeckTec constructed at our home. Their use is a constant joy. We continually receive compliments on the design and quality of your work. We look forward to many years of use.
DeckTec are absolute pros. They just finished a big deck and roof cover project at my house. The total experience from working with Steve in Design and Sales, Keith in Project Management, and Charlie, Josh, and Hank in Construction was nothing but 6 star service. 100% on time and on budget with craftsmanship and quality. Skip the “Hammer and Nails” contractors and go with DeckTec if you want an “Outdoor Living Space”. Call these people – you will not be disappointed.
I just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the work Decktec completed refinishing my deck. It hasn’t looked this good since it was new sixteen years ago. Decktec was very professional, polite and willing to work with me to get the exact color of stain I wanted. I would recommend Decktec to anyone who wants a complete job from the great construction work starting the job, to its thorough cleanup. I’m happy my neighbor referred me to Decktec. You are the fourth company I’ve had refinish my deck and will now be the only company I use going forward.