What Are the Best Conditions for Deck Staining Services?
If you have a wooden deck or porch on your Westchester home, you undoubtedly know that staining is one of the best ways to protect it from the weather and other damage. Stain preserves the natural look of your wood while protecting it from rain, snow, and spills.
However, a deck does need to be refinished from time to time, and you’ll probably need to call for Westchester deck staining services every 2-3 years. When should this be done? Here are some guidelines for the best conditions to have your deck stained.
- Temperature Concerns
Deck stains can be finicky. If it’s too hot or too cold, the stain may not properly seep into the wood and set properly to provide the necessary protection. When it’s too hot, the stain may actually evaporate before it has time to sink in. If it’s too cold, the drying time will be lengthened, and the deck wood may be too cold to allow the stain to penetrate.
The ideal temperature for deck staining services is when it’s between 50 and 90 degrees.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight can also cause problems for properly staining a deck. Even if temperatures are in that 50-90 degree zone, direct sunlight will still cause the stain to heat up significantly. This can cause it to evaporate or flash-dry before it has time to soak into the wood.
If direct sunlight is unavoidable, you’ll want to use a tarp or similar cover to keep the deck in the shade. Alternatively, try staining on an overcast day. However,…
- Humidity, Rain, and Wind Also Cause Problems
This one is more obvious, but bears mentioning: if it’s raining or there’s high humidity, the moisture in the air will inhibit the stain’s ability to dry. It will also potentially dilute the stain and prevent it from working properly.
While you can’t control the weather, ideally you should hope for a period of at least 24 hours with no rain or heavy humidity for the stain to properly set and dry.
On the topic, try to avoid staining on windy days as well. The wind itself isn’t usually a problem, but it could easily blow dirt or debris onto the deck which would disrupt the staining, or even become trapped within the stain.
If this all sounds like a hassle, C.E.T. Painting is here to help! We offer expert deck staining services in Westchester, backed up by years of experience. Contact us to learn more!