Residential services: Deck and fence staining in Ottawa

Why Ottawa decks need regular care

An Ottawa deck spends months under snow, then goes through the freeze and thaw of spring and the strong sun of July. Bare wood greys, checks and splits. Water soaks into board ends and around fasteners, and a stain that is past its life peels or wears through along the walkways. Staining on a regular cycle keeps water out of the wood and costs far less than replacing boards.

Choosing a stain

The right product depends on the wood, its age and the look you want:

• Transparent and semi-transparent stains soak into the wood and let the grain show. They wear gradually instead of peeling, and are the usual choice for deck floors
• Solid stains hide the grain and colour differences, and suit fences, railings and older wood, but on deck boards they can peel where people walk
• Oil-based and water-based stains both have their place, depending on the wood and what is on it now

If the deck already has a solid stain or paint on it, a semi-transparent stain can't go over it. It either goes back to bare wood first or stays a solid colour, and we'll tell you which at the site visit.

Preparation

• Cleaning with a wood cleaner to remove grime, mildew and grey surface fibres
• Stripping stain that is peeling, rather than burying it under a new coat
• Brightening the wood after stripping to bring back its colour
• Rinsing at low pressure, because a pressure washer turned up too high tears and fuzzes the wood
• Sanding raised fibres and rough spots on walkways and railings
• Resetting popped nails and screws, and pointing out boards that are too far gone to stain
• Letting the wood dry fully before any stain goes on

New pressure-treated wood

Brand-new pressure-treated lumber is often too wet to stain. It needs to dry out first, which can take a few months to a full season depending on the wood and the weather. A simple test: sprinkle water on the boards. If it beads, wait. If it soaks in within a few minutes, the wood is ready. New, smooth boards may also need a cleaner or a light sanding so the stain can soak in.

Fences, porches and pergolas

Fences are stained on both sides where we can get access, which usually means a word with your neighbour first. Porches, pergolas, railings, privacy screens and wooden steps can be done at the same time so everything matches.

Weather and timing

Stain needs dry wood, a dry forecast and mild temperatures, so decks are stained from late spring to early fall. Rain soon after application can mark a fresh stain, so we watch the forecast and reschedule rather than risk it. Plan to stay off the deck until the stain is dry, usually the next day for foot traffic, and give it a little longer before the furniture and planters go back.

How often to restain

Horizontal surfaces wear much faster than vertical ones. A deck floor in full sun may need a maintenance coat every couple of years, while railings and a shaded fence last longer. Recoating before the stain has worn through is quicker and cheaper than stripping back to bare wood again.