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Staining a Deck & Railings

Decks tend to be subject to the harshest weather conditions. As they usually get a maintenance coat every couple of years it is very important to make sure that you choose a stain that does not need to be removed each maintenance coat unless you really love sanding. We find most clients are on a 2 year maintenance cycle for their decks to keep them looking nice and avoiding having to sand. Log and wood railings are often on the same cycle.

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Read how to Stain a New Deck

Read how to Maintain a Deck

Read how to Restore a Deck

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WARNING: Ensure Stain Compatibility with other Coatings/Chinking/Caulking

Did you know that some coatings that you use may contain non-drying oils or waxes and may prevent you from using chinking and caulking in the future? If you are not certain, ask a specialist about our compatibility testing, database of various stains and chemical ingredient review service.

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CAUTION: Only use Log Products on Log Homes

We receive phone calls daily from people disappointed they bought a deck/fence /wood stain at a big box or hardware store and it failed early. Log's Ain't Wood and they behave much differently. You don't treat a 2x4 the same you way treat a log. You want a product specifically engineered to perform properly for your home. Would you rather save a hundred dollars on product? Or do the job twice as often??

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NEW DECKS

01.

The method you choose to stain your deck can vary:

  • New Decks
    • Typically wait 3-12 months before staining. The chemicals used in pressure treated wood and the moisture content of new wood make stain penetration a problem if stained too early. 
    • Should get a full prep before staining. If you want the best performance out of your stain, a new deck should be prepped too.

PRO TIP

IDEAL PREP:  Sand the deck down to a 60 grit finish so the pores of the wood are open and ready to receive stain. This also removes mill glaze from the wood allowing for stain penetration. Rent (usually about $75-$100/weekend)  a drum sander for big areas and decks that are rough, cupped or warped.  A random orbital sander works well for smaller areas to remove splintering and open the wood pores, but won’t work well for any warping or cupping of the deck boards.  

OK PREP: A wood cleaner/brightener and pressure wash can also be used but won’t do anything for rough, cupped or warped boards. It will also require waiting for the wood to drop below 19% moisture content before staining. 

CAUTIONS:

1) Check surface temperature of the wood. In general if there is sunlight on the deck boards, it will likely be too hot to stain. Applying stains when the wood is too hot results in “flashing” instead of the stain penetrating. This can later lead to peeling. Confirm application temperature as each stain is slightly differrent. 

2) Be sure to not sand with too fine of sandpaper. Most stains call for between 60-80 grit sanding prior to application so the pores of the wood are open to receive stain. Sanding too smooth closes these pores and does not allow penetration. This can lead to peeling later. Confirm preparation instructions as each stain is slightly different. 

MAINTAINING YOUR DECK

02.

Hopefully you chose a non-peel formula last time. 

  • If a no-peel formula was applied properly, then this should be simple. 
  • Clean off any dust, pollen, bird poo, etc. with a wood cleaner. Gently pressure wash off. Wait until wood dries below 19% moisture content. 

If you didn’t use a non-peel formula last time:  

  • If it is peeling now…See Deck Restoration below 😥

PRO TIP

Maintenance Cycles: Most decks with full sun/rain exposure will need a maintenance coat every 1-2yrs. The big question is at that time…do you need to sand it all down making the job much bigger? Most of the deck stains we carry are non-peel formulas which usually means your maintenance is easier as if fades instead of peels. Remember: If you wait too long with even a non-peeling stain, you could find yourself sanding it down.  Color matching if sections are faded down to raw wood can be a pain and usually is easier to sand down.  

RESTORING A DECK

03.

A big job for sure, but worth it when done. 

  • If you got here because you didn’t use a deck stain with a non-peel formula last time…change your strategy this time. 
  • Making Repairs:  Check first for damaged, cracked or warped boards that may require sanding. Pay close attention to parts of the deck close to the ground. If rot is encountered, speak with one of our specialists before replacing as it may be fixable. 
  •  Clean the Surface: Now you must determine your prep strategy. Wood in good shape but the coating is not or the wood has greyed? Maybe just a pressure wash and wood cleaner/brightener.  Cupping, warping, splintering, cracking? Sanding would result in a better prep job. 

PRO TIP

Be sure to sink in any screws or nails that may catch the sand paper. 
Many deck stains fail prematurely when snow from the winter is not removed or a metal edge shovel is used. 
Don’t forget to at least remove the snow off your deck around the bottom couple of  logs to prevent rot and early stain failure.   

Deck, Fence and Trim Stains
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Perma-Chink Lifeline Advance Clear Coat

Lifeline Advance extends the life of the finish system while adding depth and highlights to the appearance. It makes your exterior walls easier to keep clean and has the right permeability to keep the film breathable while repelling liquid water. Lifeline Advance is the second component in our exterior wall finish system that includes a limited warranty when used with Lifeline Ultra-7 and Lifeline Ultra-2.

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Perma-Chink Sure Shine Interior Clear Coat

Sure Shine is our most durable indoor clear finish. It is suitable for all your wood floors and any other interior surface where you want a lustrous or deep-shine finish. If you want a deep, clear finish using fewer coats, Sure Shine premium finish is the one to use! Since it is water based and fast drying, multiple coats can be applied in a single day. Sure Shine can be used to re-coat older oil based floor finishes. Sure Shine cures to a smooth, hard surface that resists scuffing and abrasion. It prevents discolorations from water and most household cleaners and chemicals.

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Sikkens Deck Stain

Original price was: $156.99.Current price is: $149.99.
Sikkens deck stain Cetol DEK Finish, now renamed Sico Proluxe Premium Deck Wood Finishing in Canada  is a high performance, translucent satin finish for exterior decks. This alkyd high solids formulation offers optimum protection, ultimate durability and a beautiful furniture finish appearance with the simplicity of a one product two coat application
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Timber Pro Stain transparent colours part 1
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Timber Pro Deck and Fence (Hybrid)

$97.25 – $584.95
Timber Pro DECK and FENCE is a unique waterborne natural-oil resin formula designed to stand up to the harshest environments. Timber Pro DECK+FENCE uses a unique combination of sunscreens and pigments that protects the wood surface from the sun’s UV rays. DECK+FENCE provides a durable breathable finish to beautify and protect your deck from day-to-day use and wear, as well as from the elements.

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Deck Defense (Hybrid)

Deck Defense is the best wood stain for your decks, rails and fences. It has been engineered for better performance, longer life, and easier application. Although it is a totally waterborne product, Deck Defense has penetrating properties like oil finishes, but unlike oil-based products, it hardens into a lattice-like coating, supporting and strengthening the natural wood fibers from the inside out. Customers can feel secure in the knowledge that their investment is protected from the natural damaging effects of sun, wind, and water. Deck Defense is easy to apply and maintain, and is ideal for coating decks, fences, railings and other horizontal surfaces. Our new deck stain is available in seven colors to complement our exterior wall finishes. Deck Defense can be applied over older Deck Defense-stained decking provided proper application and surface preparation.

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Sashco Transformation Siding and Trim (Hybrid)

The best part is that Transformation Siding and Trim won’t peel.

Wood siding can be beautiful, but it usually screams “high maintenance.” Get Transformation Stain® Siding and Trim and give your ears the silence they deserve. Based on a stain formula that was originally created to withstand the extreme requirements of log homes, Transformation Stain® Siding and Trim wood siding stain is no stranger to high performance. It moves and flexes with the wood to maintain a protective coat that remains beautiful over time. The best part is that Transformation Siding and Trim won’t peel, which makes maintenance easy: a light power wash, followed by another coat of stain, and you’re done.

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sikkens srd 5 gallon
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Sikkens Cetol SRD RE (Oil Based)

$79.99 – $359.99
Great for Decks! Sikkens Cetol SRD is an excellent oil-based solution for most types of outdoor exterior applications. It gives a translucent effect, and you only have to apply one coat on siding, decking, log homes, and rails. Furthermore, you can have your pick from no less than seven different wood tones. Stain Calculator
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Lifeline Accents Exterior

For Exterior or Interior Lifeline Accents is our newest two-coat color finish developed to make your home look fashionable. Lifeline Accents, influenced by global trends, encouraged us to provide our customers with exciting new colors and style. The new colors create a wonderful accent for your wood trim, interior and exterior walls, fascia, millwork, timber, furniture and other wood elements of your home.

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Lifeline Accents Interior

Lifeline Accents is our newest two-coat color finish developed to make your home look fashionable. Lifeline Accents, influenced by global trends, encouraged us to provide our customers with exciting new colors and style. The new colors create a wonderful accent for your wood trim, interior and exterior walls, fascia, millwork, timber, furniture and other wood elements of your home.

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Lifeline Exterior Stain

Transparent Wood Stain Our original exterior wall formula has been updated and improved for over 20 years. Lifeline Exterior forms a thin film at the surface of logs where the protection is needed. Its breathability and flexibility allows logs to go through seasonal expansion and contraction while drying out to their core. Apply a clear topcoat of Lifeline Advance to maximize durability and minimize maintenance cost and labor.

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Lifeline Interior Stain

Transparent Wood Finish Enhance the beauty of all your interior wood and seal out household odors and contaminants. Lifeline Interior can be used as a color coat or sealing coat on walls when you want to apply an interior clear-coat for additional protection or luster. Interior finishes make log walls easy to clean. Lifeline Interior breathes to allow trapped moisture to evaporate from logs. The addition of UV Boost to the first coat of Lifeline Interior significantly reduces the ‘picture frame effect’ in sun-exposed locations. Lifeline Interior will not yellow. You can apply multiple coats to develop the color and film thickness that you desire. Lifeline Interior is completely compatible with our other interior finish options.

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Sikkens Cetol 1 (Oil Based)

$109.99 – $519.99
Sikkens Cetol 1 RE Stain is a premium, translucent, exterior wood base coat to be used with Sikkens Cetol 23 Plus. Its superior oil alkyd formulation offers excellent penetration and adhesion to vertical wood surfaces. Powerful UV absorbents protect color and wood substrates. Provides a mildew-resistant finish. Stain Calculator
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Yes. Sashco Transformation Siding and Trim would be a transparent or semi- transparent. Timberpro comes in transparent, semi-transparent and solid

What our clients are  Saying

We've owned our log home for over ten years and I have a pretty good understanding of maintenance and construction issues. I must say his knowledge, advice and service was excellent. I was most impressed with the immediate (same day) turn around on my order. I will certainly be doing business with Canada’s Log Home Store in the future.

Willis S Albert Bridge, NS

Perfect !! We were forced to shop out of town, as Thunder Bay did not have what we needed...Not great. Luckily we came across this website "Canada's log home store" ..Wow impressed ! Bruce was fabulous, our product was shipped the same day. it arrived in 4 days. So happy. Do not hesitate to order from this company. Super happy .

Rhonda M Thunder Bay, ON

Great customer service, I am hobby builder and ordered on a Saturday got an immediate response and was able to change the product format to get a quicker delivery. Product was very well packed and I am very satisfied.

Steve G Ottawa, ON

Not only did he have great knowledge and experience, he took the time to really find out what my needs were to be sure that he was offering us the correct product. His friendly and supportive nature made doing business super easy - the prices were great - and the finished product was amazing! Definitely highly recommend them for any of your log home needs!

Angela D Wetaskiwin, AB

Very helpful and knowledgeable in finding me products I needed that where hard to find anywhere else. Shipped out right away and price was good. Good inventory/selection on website. Highly recommend for all log home owners.

Kyle Jaffray, BC

Thanks for all the help and assistance. I highly recommend you to anyone with a log home. Your support through the entire restoration process is outstanding.

Alex & Lee-anne D Whitehorse, YT