Myth: It's better to leave wood untreated if you don't want to deal with maintenance
99% of homeowners looking to stain either end up hiring a painter or a builder, both of which often believe that wood does not need to be protected or if you do protect it, it’s guaranteed to peel. Both are false.
Exterior wood, when first installed, is normally a shade of golden brown, free of mold, rot, splinters or greyness. As wood ages, both water and the sun, damage the surface. Damage comes in the form of greying, blackening, drying, splintering, and eventually molding/rotting.
Depending on the product you choose to apply and how the surface is prepared, one or both of these issues can be remedied, restoring the outdoor to its previous state. While stains and sealants are widely available, premium oils are the only way to solve both issues, while guaranteeing the surface will never peel.
Why wood requires product application
- Protection from greying (sun damage)
- Prevents cracking/warping/splintering
- Prevents rotting
- Preserves the natural colour
- Increase home value
Type of Wood Products
Sealant | Semi-Transparent Stain | Oil | Solid Stain | Paint | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
What Does it look like? | Invisible (water will bead when rains) | Wood grain is visible, natural wood colours | Wood grain is visible, natural wood colours | Matte solid colour like paint | Matte, low lustre, semi-gloss, gloss solid colours |
Can it Peel? | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Protect from Rot? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Protect from Drying/Splinters? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Protect from greying (sun)? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How many colours available? | N/A | 8-10 | 8-10 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Can it be used if the surface is already painted/solid stained? | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Semi-Transparent Stain Vs. Oil
Semi-transparent stains have been around for a very long time. Wood oils have also been around for a while, but oils that mimic the look of semi-transparent stains have recently become much more prevalent.
Semi-transparent stains do penetrate the surface, allowing them to remain intact for much longer than solid stains or paint, however when left for too long, they often still peel. Once peeling areas are stained again, surfaces will look “blotchy”. For the surface to look brand new again, once it starts to peel, it needs to be stripped entirely, which is a lengthy and expensive process.
Premium oils on the other hand, never peel, therefore they are one of the more expensive products to apply but the savings in the long run more than makes up for it. When applying an oil for the first time, often the colour will not be as vibrant as a semi-transparent stain, however once applied 2-3 times over a period of time, will be just as vibrant without any uneven areas.
How is a surface prepared before applying product?
How a surface is prepared depends largely on the state of the surface when we arrive on site, what type of product is currently on the wood and what type of product is being applied after preparation.
Generally, if a wood is brand new, there is little prep needed, which is why it is so crucial to protect the surface immediately upon install. The longer you wait, the higher the cost will be to restore the colour/ surface prior to a product being applied. If you are choosing an oil, no waiting period is needed to let the wood breath prior to application. The faster it can be applied, the better the colour will turn out.
If the wood is not brand new, a level of brightener will need to be applied and washed off to restore as much of the natural colour as possible. Once the wood is dry, a light sanding will likely be needed prior to applying the product.
If the wood already has a product on it, it is likely that some level of stripping, sanding, scraping will be required to restore the surface prior to applying another product. Choosing the right product the first time, means not having to go through this restoration process, saving time, money and aesthetics.
How do I maintain my wood after a product is applied?
The answer to this question, vastly depends on what type of product has already been used on the surface and what product you are choosing to apply now. It will also vary with the type of surface it is being applied on. The following estimates are for walking surfaces. Vertical surfaces generally last about 50% longer.
A Professional Team
Buying and installing any type of exterior wood is a significant investment. If you do not protect your wood immediately after installation, your investment and your wood will quickly deteriorate.
It is crucial that you hire a company that specializes in exterior wood protection and restoration, as once the wrong product is applied or the wrong surface prep is performed, there is no going back. Staining is not like painting, many products are almost impossible to remove and wood will likely never look the same again.
Hiring the right company and choosing the right products in the first place, allow you to have easy maintenance and save you a lot in the long term.
We are the first and only company in Toronto that solely focuses on exterior wood protection and restoration. Unlike painting, choosing the wrong colour of product cannot be easily fixed. Choosing a knowledgable team in the first place is the key to future proofing your project and achieving the results you want.
Full Exterior Makeover
“Calling them “the Deck People” doesn’t do this team justice. We had the team do an entire exterior makeover including cleaning and staining cedar shake, sanding and painting deck, painting siding, window frames, gutters, and doorways. They did it all. And they did it quickly and well! You will never regret working with them!” -Lauren
Quality Work & Customer Service
Need Deck Staining Services?
Questions & Answers
This largely depends on the type of service required. Projects can take anywhere from half a day to multiple weeks. The best way to determine this, is to schedule an estimate with one of our managers.
We use a variety of products depending on your specific needs and budget.
For new wood or wood that has been oiled before, we use the highest grade oil from New Zealand that guarantees to never peel. It comes in a variety of colours.
For wood that has been previously treated, we are able to use any product on the market, however we reccommend premium Benjamin Moore and Sikkens products.
We offer a 3 year guarantee on anything that is not a walking surface.
You do not have to be home for the entire duration of the job, however we prefer when clients are home for a colour confirmation prior to starting and a walk around at the end.
Get An Estimate
If you require cleaning, pressure washing, sealing or staining on your deck, patio, stone or fence, we have you covered.
Quality Isn't Expensive, It's Priceless
