When do you need to stain a deck after building it?
I just recently replaced my deck with new lumber and I know that the wood needs to dry and cure before staining. But online I read that it should be weeks, or months - even some sites say days. What is the correct answer? I don;t want this deck to get ruined by the rain like the lastr one.
Answers ( 1 )
You can stain a new deck immediately after installing your deck, but this is not the best time to do it and here is why: the lumber is still too wet. The best time to stain a new deck is 3 to 12 months after installing it. Pressure-treated lumber is treated with liquid chemicals. They do not dry out immediately because they are stacked for shipment after treatment and do not see the light of day until you purchase it. Too much moisture within the wood will not allow the stain to properly penetrate the wood. Wait at least three months. It depends on your weather and the amount of sunlight your deck gets.
Spring or fall are the best times to stain your deck. You want to avoid the temperature extremes that summer and winter offer, even if you live in a moderate climate. Most stains need a mild temperature and a period in which there is no moisture – rain – so that it can penetrate the wood properly. Remember also that fall might be a great time to stain, but falling leaves on wet stain could create issues.