How do you treat new decking
John Johnson
Updated on April 09, 2026
Using Seasonite on your new wood is the best option for maintaining the longevity of the wood. After 6-12 months of weathering with Seasonite your deck will be ready to finish in any way you choose. Seasonite is incredibly easy to use. Simply apply it in a single generous coat using a brush, roller or garden sprayer.
What is the best thing to put on new decking?
When it comes to treating and protecting decking, you have two different options; decking oil and decking stain. Oils often come in natural colours or clear and enhance the natural appearance of your wood. Decking oils soak deeply into the wood and penetrate the grain to provide protection from the inside out.
When should I oil my new deck?
For best results we recommend you oil your timber deck every six to 12 months. This will ensure longevity and keep your deck looking great. If you’ve just had your new timber deck installed it may be tempting to oil it straight away to give it that glistening shine, but you may need to let it weather beforehand.
How do I protect my brand new deck?
Applying Deck Sealer to a Wood Deck. To get the most effective seal possible, thoroughly clean your deck before applying the sealer. Be sure all debris, dust, grime and mildew is removed. Check out our step-by-step guide for the best ways to clean a deck or pressure wash a deck.Should a new deck be stained right away?
New wooden decks should always receive a coat of paint or stain. Generally, all new decks should dry out for at least 30 days before stain or paint is applied. Although a finish can be applied immediately after construction, more work is involved, so it’s best to let the wood fully dry before finishing.
How often should you oil decking?
How Often Do I Oil My Deck? Within the deck building industry, it is usually recommended that decks need to be oiled once every 6-12 months.
Is stain or oil better for decking?
Whether you should oil or stain will come down to what you want from your deck. A stain will improve the appearance of the deck, but oil will better help preserve its condition. … However, you can bring back the natural look of the wood by using a pressure washer or choosing a decking oil with UV inhibitors.
How many coats of stain should you put on a deck?
The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb. Typically this will be 2 coats, unless your dealing with extremely dense hardwoods which may only be able to absorb 1 coat of wood stain.Do you need to seal a deck?
A backyard deck is the perfect platform for good times, but that wooden surface needs a proper sealant to protect it against the ravages of sun, rain, and temperature fluctuations.
Can you oil a new deck?If you have installed a new timber decking board in your home, many manufacturers recommend that you let it weather naturally for about 5-6 weeks before you oil it with a new decking treatment. … It helps you remove the grain raise effect that might make a wooden surface look uneven after applying decking oil.
Article first time published onShould I sand my deck before oiling?
Sanding & oiling your deck is necessary to prolong the life of your deck. In order to remove damaged and splintered wood from your existing deck, it is necessary to sand the deck before applying any oils or stains. The deck must be smooth, clean, and free of debris before applying a stain or oil.
Should I sand new deck before staining?
Sanding is more for the feel of the deck than to prepare it to accept a new stain. … But sanding definitely won’t hurt anything. Ideally, applying a light wood stripper and then pressure washing in a board by board manner is highly recommended to clean the surface and open up the wood grain for staining.
Do you need to wash a new deck before staining?
All wood needs to be well cleaned before staining, whether it’s a brand-new deck or an older deck that’s been out in the weather and needs to be re-stained. Brand-new lumber needs to be cleaned to remove ‘mill scale’,which is a crushing of the grain that takes place during the milling process.
How do I stain my new deck for the first time?
Stain New Deck Right Away. Apply a wood deck cleaner and thoroughly scrub and or pressure wash lightly. Neutralize with a wood brightener. These two steps will remove the mill glaze and “open” the wood pores. Apply a deck stain that is “thin” in viscosity.
Should you paint decking?
Although all softwood decking should have been pressure treated to ensure a long life, your deck will benefit from a little bit of TLC every few years or so. However, there’s no need to paint decking if you don’t want to – a clear oil or preservation treatment will do the job.
Can I put decking oil over stain?
Anyway, don’t apply oil over a deck stain. The deck stain works because it contains pigment and a binder (usually oil or water-based finish) to bond the pigment in the wood. You don’t want a build because it will peel if water gets underneath. … If the water stays puddled, the wood is sealed.
Should you pressure wash a deck?
A pressure washer can clean a wood deck much faster than you can scrub it by hand. That is a terrific advantage. However, a pressure washer will frequently destroy the surface of the wood. … Those that are not eroded can be dislodged, leaving the wood fuzzy or rough after it dries.
What is the best decking oil?
- Ronseal. Ultimate Protection Decking Oil.
- Cuprinol. UV Guard Decking Oil.
- Osmo. 2-in-1 UV Protection Decking Oil.
- Manns. Premier UV Decking Oil.
- Everbuild. Lumberjack Wood Preserver.
- Barrettine. Decking Oil.
- Liberon. decking oil.
How can I make my deck look good?
- 1 of 17 Install a Pergola.
- 2 of 17 Restain Your Deck.
- 3 of 17 Add an Outdoor Bar.
- 4 of 17 Lay Down a Rug.
- 5 of 17 Pile On Outdoor Pillows.
- 6 of 17 Add Colorful Accents.
- 7 of 17 Use Containers for Color and Height.
- 8 of 17 Incorporate Stylish Deck Furniture.
Can I leave my deck untreated?
It is highly unlikely that the deck will rot, splinter or decay if you choose not to have it finished and you can always choose to stain and protect the deck at a later date.
Do I need to waterproof my deck?
Because decks have direct contact with the outdoor elements, wood decks need to be properly sealed and waterproofed. … To test whether your deck is due for a new coat of waterproof sealant, pour a few drops of water directly on the wood. If the water droplets bead up, your deck is still protected from the elements.
How do I know if my deck needs a second coat of stain?
You can tell whether your deck stain is still protecting the wood if it repels water. If it doesn’t, it’s time to stain again. Consumer Reports tests dozens of solid, semitransparent, and clear stains to find out which last longest.
Can you apply deck stain with a roller?
You should use a roller brush or sprayer to apply a steady coat of quality stain, such as Olympic Elite stains or Olympic MAXIMUM stains. … PRO TIP: Back brushing your stain will help the stain soak into your deck boards, allowing better, long-lasting results.
How long should you wait to put on a second coat of stain on a deck?
If a second coat is required, wait 4 hours between applications. Depending on temperature and humidity, allow 24 – 48 hours of dry time before using your beautifully restored deck or porch.
How long should deck dry before sealing?
Allow the deck to dry for at least two days before applying a sealer.
Does ready SEAL need 2 coats?
Ready Seal is intended to be a two-coat application, and the representation of tones above and on the Ready Seal website is indicative of two coats of Ready Seal.
Can you apply decking oil with a roller?
If your decking is smooth, a long-handled microfibre roller is the ideal tool for applying decking oil. If your decking is grooved, you can attach a floor brush head to a wooden handle – the firm texture will help you push the oil into the wood much more effectively.
Can you oil decking straight away?
Oiling timber straight away is recommended during the middle of a heat wave, which will help prevent the timber rapidly drying out which can cause cupping, splitting and checking of the decking boards.
Should I sand my deck after pressure washing?
Make sure your deck is thoroughly dry before you sand. If there has been recent rainfall or if you have power washed, wait several days before sanding. Treat the deck surface, the railings, and the edges of boards as different tasks, varying the sanding techniques for each.
What if it rains after oiling deck?
Stains and oils penetrate wood best when it’s cool and dry. If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. … If it rains immediately after you’ve stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off.
How do you clean a new deck before staining?
- Thoroughly sweep the deck to remove all leaves and other debris.
- Liberally apply cleaner using a roller or pump sprayer (wear protective equipment to avoid contact with skin and eyes). …
- After 15 minutes, work the cleaner into the surface using a stiff synthetic-bristle brush.