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Sealing A Cedar Deck The Right Way
Sam Lutz • May 24, 2016
Now that winter is over and spring is here, it's time to get your cedar deck ready for yet another hot summer. Cedar is naturally rot resistant and will last for a long time with little or no maintenance, but sealing your deck will extend its life, ensuring that your deck will be around for many years to come. In this tutorial, we'll discuss the best procedure for staining and sealing your cedar deck. Doing this before summer arrives will help protect the wood from damaging UV rays, so it's a good idea to get started on this project as soon as possible.
Materials
- Broom
- Power Washer
- Combination Stain and Sealer
- Paintbrush or Rags, Depending on Stain Type
Procedure
- Check that your deck actually needs to be sealed. To do this, clean an area of your deck that is several feet square, then sprinkle water on the wood and watch for it to form a compact bead on the wood's surface. If the water beads up, then your deck still has water resistance and does not need to be sealed. If your deck absorbs the water, then this is a sign the sealer is wearing off and your deck needs to be resealed before summer comes.
- Clean your deck. Start by sweeping the deck to wipe away any loose debris like leaves and dirt. Next, rent a power washer and wash your deck with the nozzle held at an angle to avoid doing damage to the wood. If you don't want to use a power washer to clean your deck, you'll need to scrub down your deck with a soft bristle brush and oxygen bleach. Combine oxygen bleach and warm water together in a bucket, then dip a soft-bristled brush into the solution. Use the brush to gently scrub down the wood on the deck, focusing on parts of the deck that are growing mold or mildew. Note that you can use chlorine bleach instead of oxygen bleach when cleaning the deck, but you'll need to cover your nearby shrubs and plants with a tarp to keep them protected.
- Allow the deck to dry. Give the deck time to dry for at least two days. If it rains while you're waiting for the deck to dry, then you'll have to wait for longer. To avoid this problem, it's best to clean at a time when no rainfall is predicted in the weather forecast.
- Stain and seal the deck. Buy a quality stain and sealer combo to make your job easier. At Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture, we recommend Sikkens deck stains and finishes. We also sell Bartley gel stain, which cover your cedar deck with a thick, durable application of sealer. If you're using a traditional stain and sealer, you'll need a paint brush to apply the sealer. If you're using a gel, you'll need a rag to wipe on the stain, and a rag to wipe away the stain. Either way, be sure to apply the stain to all sides of the deck, including the ends of each piece of wood and the underside. Being thorough with your application helps keep your deck fully protected throughout the year.
Stop By Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture for Supplies
At Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture, we have the supplies you'll need to stain and seal your cedar deck, so we hope you'll stop by our store. If you have questions about what we carry, call us ahead of time and ask us about our inventory.
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