Why decks wear out faster than the house
A deck takes weather on every face. Horizontal boards hold water and snow, and foot traffic wears the finish off the steps first. Without a good coating, wood turns gray, checks and starts to split.
How we handle a deck
- Clean the boards and let them dry fully
- Sand rough spots and raised grain where needed
- Protect the house siding and plants around the deck
- Apply stain or sealer to boards, stairs and railings
- Keep foot traffic off until it has cured
Stain or paint
Most decks do best with a penetrating or semi transparent stain that soaks in and does not peel. Solid stain gives more color and hides wear on older wood. Railings and skirting can also be painted to match the house trim. We go over the options for your deck when we look at it.
Upkeep
Decks need recoating more often than siding. We will tell you what to expect for your deck and the product used, so you are not surprised when the steps start to wear.