We have a deck that is 22 years old. After that amount of time and pressure washing it annually it didn’t look too good anymore. Last weekend my son and I removed the decking and it looked good on the underside so we just flipped the boards and screwed them back down I ran a surface cleaner over it and it looks surprisingly good. Now I am thinking about sealing it or using a light semi transparent stain. Everyone seems to have a different opinion - what do you think?
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PT Deck - Stain? Seal? Leave alone?
- Thread starter glennm
- Start date
CombatNinja
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2013
- Messages
- 1,456
I prefer toner. It is easy to work with, no prep is needed to redcoat other than a cleaning and maybe a hasty scuff sanding to raise the grain. Oil based toner will soak into the wood and simply slow down the rate at which the wood can take on and give up water, which is what you are after.
K'ledgeBldr
Well-known member
22yrs where!?
You’re clearly getting the most out of those boards! I’ll assume they are 2X- I very seriously doubt 5/4 would last that long.
Anyway, as far as a stain/sealer, I guess it would boil down to cost in relation to how much longer those boards would last. In other words, I wouldn’t waste the money on stain/sealer if the boards only have a year or two left in them.
I’ve been a big supporter of TWP for decks and fences.
You’re clearly getting the most out of those boards! I’ll assume they are 2X- I very seriously doubt 5/4 would last that long.
Anyway, as far as a stain/sealer, I guess it would boil down to cost in relation to how much longer those boards would last. In other words, I wouldn’t waste the money on stain/sealer if the boards only have a year or two left in them.
I’ve been a big supporter of TWP for decks and fences.
jack stand
Well-known member
Maybe you happened into a great ”run” of wood and the treatment 22years ago and miraculously get another 10 out of the reverse side. But like k ledge said above, I'm not sure it's worth the additional investment of a sealer or stain.
Lot's of sun can degrade wood and if your climate doesn't include much moisture I'd think your chances are much better and some type of "moisturizer" treatment (oil) might just be well worth it.
Lot's of sun can degrade wood and if your climate doesn't include much moisture I'd think your chances are much better and some type of "moisturizer" treatment (oil) might just be well worth it.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Thompson oil based clear, lasts about 2 seasons and the decking looks great and beads water.
billconner
Well-known member
my recipe alsoThompson oil based clear, lasts about 2 seasons and the decking looks great and beads water.
My Old Tools
Well-known member
I used Armstrong Clark semi-transparent oil based stain on my 20 year old PT deck. Stripped it first with lye, then treated with OA, then rinsed clean and allowed to dry. It has held up well. This spring instead of pressure washing, I used my floor buffer with a stiff bristle brush. Sprayed with bleach, oxy, and water first. MUCH faster and easier than pressure washing.
I’ve been doing this with my Ipe deck for years, it’s much gentler on the boards than powerwashing.This spring instead of pressure washing, I used my floor buffer with a stiff bristle brush. Sprayed with bleach, oxy, and water first. MUCH faster and easier than pressure washing.
IPE is in a whole other class ( world) from PT or even cedar.I’ve been doing this with my Ipe deck for years, it’s much gentler on the boards than powerwashing.
78SC4X4
Well-known member
My PT deck is 26 yo and I'm in the Pacific Northwest! All I've ever done is power wash and treat with Flood CWF-UV penetrating wood finish.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I bought REAL 1by PT board to make my shadow box wood fence. They are over 30 years old !22yrs where!?
You’re clearly getting the most out of those boards! I’ll assume they are 2X- I very seriously doubt 5/4 would last that long.
They are 5/4 deck boards and they actually look brand new after being flipped22yrs where!?
You’re clearly getting the most out of those boards! I’ll assume they are 2X- I very seriously doubt 5/4 would last that long.
Anyway, as far as a stain/sealer, I guess it would boil down to cost in relation to how much longer those boards would last. In other words, I wouldn’t waste the money on stain/sealer if the boards only have a year or two left in them.
I’ve been a big supporter of TWP for decks and fences.
CraigStu
Well-known member
My brother's father in law did similar. Well, he had similar done. A clear sealer first. Next spring pressure wash and clear sealer. He said the key was not going crazy w/ the pressure washer. A few dirt spots he used bleach or a deck board cleaner. The nice thing was he bought whatever clear sealer they had on sale each spring. It was only going to need to last a year so high quality wasn't needed.
danfromsyr
Well-known member
my deck boards are ~25yr old PT and are structurally just fine..
have a nice grey barn patina from aging
I don't do anything to them.. no stain no wash no pressure wash..
not all splintery. and this is in a 4 season exposure climate.
I intend to reuse and flip them when I build my new rear deck so I can put a different entry on the front of the house.
have a nice grey barn patina from aging
I don't do anything to them.. no stain no wash no pressure wash..
not all splintery. and this is in a 4 season exposure climate.
I intend to reuse and flip them when I build my new rear deck so I can put a different entry on the front of the house.
MarlynOC
Well-known member
Clean it and when dry to 12% moisture seal it with Ready Seal.
toolmiser
Well-known member
My deck is probably 25 years old. Pressure treated. I apply a semi transparent oil base stain every couple years. I made the mistake of using solid once and I had to strip it. Ours looks pretty solid.