We recommend sealing or staining your deck to preserve it and extend its life.

Sealers and stains protect the wood from the sun's UV rays and from moisture. Unprotected wood will turn gray and will eventually severely crack.

As a general rule of thumb, a deck should be resealed or restained every 2-3 years. You can test by pouring a glass of water on the wood. If the water beads up, it means the sealer or stain is still working. If the water soaks into the wood, it's time to reseal or restain.

Clear Sealers:
   As the name indicates, the sealer is clear and allows the wood's natural finish to show. We recommend a clear sealer with UV protection in areas exposed to the sun.

Semi-Transparent Stains:
   Also called "semi-solid", these stains impart  a color to the wood but allow the natural woodgrain to be seen.

Solid Stains:
   Solid stains are like paint. They are a solid color  and completely cover the wood--the woodgrain does not show through the finish.

We recommend either a clear sealer or a semi-transparent stain. Solid stains are more susceptible to cracking and peeling.

If you're considering having a deck built, we recommend Archadeck. We've stained a number of decks built by Archadeck and have spoken with Archadeck customers, who have been pleased with Archadeck's quality work.