How long should I wait to stain or paint my new deck?

Question

Pressure treated wood was used and it has been built since one month now.  What steps should be taken in staining or painting the deck and which is better to do, stain or paint?

Leevers · Answer

Neither is better. Instead oiling would be better as the wood can absorb it and prolongs the woods life. I'm surprised you got a pressure treated wood deck as pressure treated wood is banned and virtually illegal to be used in many places around the world for decking and construction due to the arsenic content within. Either way oiling would be a better option or staining. Paint will leave you plenty of work on repairs and patch ups down the line

Straight Nails Construction · Answer

This is really a matter of opinion and preference. You can go to any home improvement store and find aisles of pressure treated wood, so the product isn't illegal, but the process has changed over the years, including just recently. If the wood was not kiln dried after the treatment process, you need to wait as long as you can before treating. (minimum six months to one year). Once the wood has time to cure, you can decide your method of sealing and improving its appearance. Where I agree that oil will provide a cleaner look and does last longer, it is a more difficult process to apply and clean up afterwards. I would suggest NOT painting the deck, as this will seal the pores of the wood, and can create hazards when the wood is wet or in colder climates. If I paint a deck, we use a sharkbite additive to create a rough surface that is non slip on the actual deck itself (the part that you would walk on). If you decide to stain your deck, there are many options to choose from, and the old adage 'you get what you pay for' applies to this. If you decide to stain, buy the best quality stain your budget can afford.

Leevers · Answer

Pressure treated (CCA) wood is illegal in some. Countries and also for use in certain construction environment as well as children's playgrounds. Do some reading, you might learn something ;)

Nakeisha F · Answer

Thank you both for your comments. @Straight Nails Construction I will definitely be looking into staining my deck and I appreciate your advise very much!

Jamala W · Answer

thanks for this post, I just had a new deck installed and was wondering the same thing

Straight Nails Construction · Answer

Good morning, I know I'm not supposed to respond to foolish posts, but I am getting tired of peoples' nasty comments here on Hometalk. I will once again add that this blog is for homeowners to ask questions, and hopefully most of us can guide them to making safe and educated decisions about their home improvement projects, without injecting nasty comments or rude behavior. Leevers, I tried to be respectful, and start my comment about this being a matter of opinion and preference. You are ABSOLUTELY correct that CCA PTW is illegal. What you forgot to mention is the CCA PTW was banned from manufacturing and distribution some 10 YEARS AGO. (January 1, 2003) The pressure treated wood that I mention is produced in accordance to the newer, safer regulations set forth by the EPA, or it wouldn't be sold in most popular home improvement stores. Nowhere in my post do I state that I am an expert on anything, but what I did do before your nasty comment was to look at see where Ms. Nakeisha lives, which is right in my backyard here in the Atlanta, GA area. So, I did some more reading, as your comment suggests, and let me provide you with one about wooden materials touching a foreign substance, such as concrete or dirt.

'Framing material in direct contact with the slab or masonry or within 8” of the soil or otherwise subject to moisture shall be pressure treatedand grade stamped.'

Now, how would it be illegal to use PTW, when the code suggests using it? (This is from a IBC 2006 with a Georgia 2012 update)

I would suggest you use an adage that my mother taught me ...'if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all'...

Ms. Nakeisha and Ms. Jamala, I hope my original post helps with your deck sealing needs. You are more than welcome to find my profile here on Hometalk, or you can google my business name to contact me directly if you have any further questions.

Lori J · Answer

A smiley face does not negate rudeness, folks. Refrain from the sarcastic refrain, Leevers, and let your comment stand on its own.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

I would go with Penofin's product that is specifically designed for pressure treated wood. This product can be applied soon after the deck's install. http://www.penofin.com/data-sheets/PT-Data-Sheet.pdf http://www.penofin.com/products_ptwood.shtml

Leann Miller · Answer

Thank you @Straight Nails construction. Your post was very informative. You were right on with your first post too. Thank you for enlightening me.

Nakeisha F · Answer

You are welcome Jamala W! @Straight Nails Construction, I did not find your first nor second comments offensive but very informative and helpful...sometimes you have to ignore the negativity. Hometalk.com is about helping each other and I thank God for this website and for people like you. Thanks again and hope your day has been wonderful. Also, thank you KMS Woodworks for sharing info and web link.

Melanie Williams · Answer

my Deck is being build how long before should I paint it

Nakeisha F · Answer

@ Melanie Williams,  we waited until three months to paint ours.  Hope that helps!

Ted Palmer · Answer

@No search results.melanie williams.you can use either penofin or cabots spf immediately after installation. the longer you wait the more the cracks will be.

Michael McMahon · Answer

Straight Nails - great information and confirms the other two opinions I have received from professionals.  We of course want our decking system to look really sharp - but maybe like good wine - some better things just take time!

Jerri Johnson Piacentini · Answer

Straight Nails - Do you recommend a particular deck stain? I, too, just completed our deck...like minutes ago. Would love to do a dark mahagoney.....gel stain?? Your opinions?

How long should I wait to stain or paint my new deck?

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How long should I wait to stain or paint my new deck?

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