Deck Staining and Sealing Tips

Summer is finally here! The longer days call for afternoon barbecues and evening cocktails with friends and family. Don’t let a less-than-ready deck ruin your summer fun. Follow these tips to prep your deck for all your upcoming gatherings:

 

Replace missing parts. 

The harsh New York winters can cause screws, nails, nuts, or bolts to fall out of your deck. Before you even think of staining, inspect your deck for missing parts and loose boards. If you notice anything suspect, head to Dain’s Lumber to get replacement parts and install them to help keep your deck stable. 

 

Clean your deck. 

Sweep your deck until all the dirt and debris are gone. For the particles that can’t be swept away, use a hose to rinse your deck clean. Rinsing will also open up the wood pores to let any trapped dirt out. 

When cleaning a wooden deck, an acidic cleaner may damage the wood. Your best choice is to use an eco-friendly wooden deck cleaner and protectant. Spray your deck with the cleaning solution, spread across the surface evenly, and wait ten minutes before scrubbing away dirt, debris, and stains. Use a garden hose with a hard-stem nozzle (not a power washer) to rinse away the cleaning solution. It will break apart stains without damaging your deck. 

 

Check the weather. A wood stain won’t adhere well to damp wood and can crack and peel. Plan to stain your deck when it hasn’t rained for several days, and the forecast calls for two days or more of dry weather with temperatures between 50° F and 90° F. Low to average humidity will help the stain dry quicker. Don’t stain in direct sunlight if possible, as the stain will dry before the wood can fully absorb it.  

 

Use the correct brushes. 

If using a water-based stain, synthetic brushes are the ideal choice. for working a water-based stain into the wood. If you apply stain with a roller, select one with a nap that’s ¼ inch or shorter. This length allows you to apply a thin layer of stain that sticks to the wood without pooling.

 

Choose the correct stain type.

When selecting a deck stain, the current stain will affect your choice. If your deck was previously coated with a solid stain, you can’t apply a clear or semi-transparent stain over it. A solid stain will clog the wood pores, and prevent clear and semi-transparent stains from soaking into the wood. On the other hand, solid stains can be used over any type of stain. If you’re unsure of the stain previously used on your deck, a solid stain is a safe choice. 

Stains always include pigmentation, which not only adds color to the deck but also helps protect against UV damage. However, stains only offer moderate moisture protection. Thus, after you stain your deck, you should consider applying a sealant for added protection against moisture damage.

 

Apply thin coats. 

If you need more than one gallon of stain for your project, mix them in a larger container to ensure the color is consistent. Use long, smooth strokes and thin coats to stain two or three boards at a time. This method prevents puddling and ensures the stain will soak into the wood instead of flaking off once dried. Apply two coats of stain to get a uniform finish and minimize the risk of missing spots on your deck. 

Plan on applying a sealant-and-stain product annually to protect your deck from UV rays and moisture damage.

 

Wait 48 hours.

The sealant will be dry within a few hours, but for the seal to fully protect the wood, don’t use your deck for two days. After 48 hours, celebrate the fruits of your labor and enjoy your deck with family and friends. 

 

Every generation of our family has grown up in the lumber business. And we love that we get to share our passion with our customers every day. But, most of all, we take the Dain’s Lumber legacy of quality, expertise, service, and craftsmanship very seriously. When you come to us, you know you’re getting over 170 years’ worth of history behind every product, piece of advice, and interaction you receive. Fill out our contact form or give us a call at 914-737-2000 to discuss your projects today!

 

 

Sources

https://www.consumerreports.org/wood-stains/expert-tips-for-staining-a-deck/ 

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/sealing-the-deck/


The Benefits of Pressure-Treated Wood

Nobody can deny the beauty and classic elegance of wood. The combination of color, texture, grain all works together to create the uniqueness that wood brings but if not taken care of wood can warp over time, become damaged with the elements, insects, it can splinter, and even obtain mold. That’s where pressure-treated wood comes in. 


What is pressure-treated wood?

According to the Home Advisor, pressure-treated wood is wood that has been infused with chemical preservatives to protect the wood from rot and insects. The wood is placed in a depressurized holding tank that removes the air and replaces it with a preservative. The most important thing to understand about this pressure treatment is that the process is, by far, the best way to avoid harmful rot and insects.


The Process

To pressure treat wood, the lumber is placed in large airtight chambers. A liquid preservative is introduced into the chamber and is forced into the cells of the wood under extremely high pressure.


The Benefits

Variety of Sizes - Pressure-treated lumber is available in a wide array of sizes for different applications.

Cost - Compared to natural wood, pressure-treated wood is more expensive. However, it is worth it for any application that requires resistance to water, microorganisms, fungal growth or insect damage.

Durability - Compared to natural wood, pressure-treated lumber will last far longer in any environment where it is exposed to the elements or consistent moisture.

Ease of Use - Like other wood products, pressure-treated lumber can easily be cut to size using a saw, and fasteners like nails will penetrate it easily.



Every generation of our family has grown up in the lumber business. And we love that we get to share our passion with our customers every day. But, most of all, we take the Dain’s Lumber legacy of quality, expertise, service, and craftsmanship very seriously. When you come to us, you know you’re getting over 170 years’ worth of history behind every product, piece of advice, and interaction you receive. Visit our website or give us a call at 914-737-2000 to discuss your projects today.


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How to Extend the Life of Your Deck

If your deck gets damaged or begins to become structurally unsound, repairing or replacing it can get pretty costly. Have you ever heard the saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? Maintaining your deck is the best, most economical option. To help prevent expensive problems from developing, here are some tips for extending the life of your deck.


Regular Inspections

Once or twice a year, it’s a good idea to check on the structure and overall state of your deck. You can perform these inspections yourself — no need to hire a professional (unless that’s what you prefer!). Look for moisture build-up on joints, especially the butt joints, and also on the posts and beams of your deck. Pooled water threatens the structural integrity of your deck, so you’ll want to be sure that any standing water is able to properly drain away. 


Prevent Insect Damage

While you are inspecting your deck, keep an eye out for insect damage. Old wasps’ nests, carpenter bee holes, and other damage will need to be repaired. Wood putty works for repairing holes and gauges, and wasps’ nests can be knocked down or scraped off (just make sure they are not occupied!). Be on the lookout for bees and wasps that may be building nests, and treat the area accordingly. Take steps to prevent insects from eating your deck or making their homes in it. Keeping it sealed and painted is a good first step.


Paint and Sealants

A fresh coat of paint or stain not only prolongs the life of your deck, but gives it a fresh look too! Start by replacing cracked or damaged boards, changing loose nails, and sealing cracks with an adhesive. If you are using a sealant, you can stain the deck first and then apply the sealant. Deck stains and sealers are similar products, where a sealer is transparent and a stain seals color into the wood. Both help preserve your deck by repelling water and often include UV-blockers. Power washing before staining, painting, and/or sealing is recommended for best results.


Keep It Clean

Regularly spray your deck down with a garden hose. If there is some dirt build-up, algae, mold, or mildew, use a scrub brush and mild soap and water to scrub these areas. Just a note – make sure the scrub brush you use has nylon or natural bristles. A wire brush or steel wool pad can cause deep scratches with metallic stains. Using a power washer every year or so is also a great idea, as long as you keep the PSI under 2500.


Build a Deck That Lasts

If you’re having to clean, inspect, and eventually upgrade your deck, when do you actually find time to enjoy it? Composite and PVC decking are popular choices due to their ease of maintenance, design flexibility, and durability. One of the main benefits of choosing composite decking is that you’ll spend minimal time on maintenance. With composite decking, you won’t have to paint, seal or stain as you would with other materials. 


Every generation of our family has grown up in the lumber business. And we love that we get to share our passion with our customers every day. But, most of all, we take the Dain’s Lumber legacy of quality, expertise, service, and craftsmanship very seriously. When you come to us, you know you’re getting over 170 years’ worth of history behind every product, piece of advice, and interaction you receive. Visit our website or give us a call at 914-737-2000 to discuss your projects today.


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Deck Materials Comparison

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When it comes to choosing a material for your deck, a little research and patience are necessary. Take your time figuring out what material works with your home, the climate, and lifestyle. Read below to learn about different deck materials. 

Composite & PVC Decking 

Composite and PVC decking is one of the most in-demand options. Besides its attractive looks, this type of decking has a lot of other benefits to consider. A top reason to choose this material is its easy maintenance. Homeowners don’t want a material that can’t withstand any weather or other outdoor obstacles. That’s why they choose composite and PVC decking. It’s durable, easy to maintain, durable, and so easily customizable. Here are some top brands you can choose from: 

  • Trex

  • TimberTech

  • Wolf

  • Azek Decking

  • Zuri

  • MoistureSheild

  • Fiberon

Wood Decking 

There’s nothing like a beautiful traditional wood deck. Its appearance and stain will give your deck that classic look! You will have to choose from an array of finishes that best match your lifestyle and home aesthetic. Here are some traditional finishes to consider: 

  • Mahogany - Red Balu (Batu): This type of decking is known for its durability and resistance to natural wear and tear. Red Balu is rich in color and needs to be sealed or stained to maintain a natural look. This type of mahogany is cheaper than other mahogany but still creates that same classic look. If you’re looking for some wood that won’t let you down, Red Balu is for you! 

  • Premium Pressure Treated Decking: Genuine Wolmanized® Residential Outdoor® Wood is protected by copper azole preservatives and is treated for above-ground and ground-contact use. Water and termite resistant, this decking earned Good Housekeeping’s seal of approval. 

  • Knotty Cedar: Cedar is rich with natural beauty. Cedar has been known to resist weather implications and time. If you’re looking for a deck that can be customized, has excellent durability, and has natural beauty, knotty cedar might be the right wood for your deck.  

Every generation of our family has grown up in the lumber business. And we love that we get to share our passion with our customers every day. But, most of all, we take the Dain’s Lumber legacy of quality, expertise, service, and craftsmanship very seriously. When you come to us, you know you’re getting over 170 years’ worth of history behind every product, piece of advice, and interaction you receive. Visit our website or give us a call at 914-737-2000 to discuss your projects today.

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What is Going on in the Building Material Market?

To all our friends and customers

Early in March, when COVID19 started to come into our daily lives businesses in our industry questioned if they would have any business at all or even be able to stay open. Many sawmills cut back or closed in preparation of a downturn in business. At Dain’s, we focused on trying to make our facility safe for our customers and employees while working on a plan to keep our 172-year-old company in business and our employees employed.

People staying at home began planning the building of decks, raised garden beds, updating their homes, as this is where they would be spending most of their time. Although well stocked with materials for a normal year, we soon became very busy as well as our pressure-treated vendors were also busy trying to fill those orders. As COVID and shelter in place orders continued, more homeowners dived into home renovation. Contractors began ordering excess materials in anticipation of a shortage of building materials. Once the state allowed contractors to resume working, we were hit with a frenzy of people looking for materials, in particular pressure treated lumber for exterior structures at a volume that we have never experienced before.

Supply and demand caused pressure-treated products to skyrocket in price while the inventory dwindled.  Lumber mills and chemical treaters were and are still not able to catch up. This coupled with the lack of chemicals available to treat the lumber has caused the problems in the supply chain that we have been experiencing as a consumer and retailer. Supply and demand problems are now seeping into the framing and plywood markets.

The past two months have been the most incredibly difficult times as a retailer. The surge of business and phone calls from customers wanting materials, quotes and answers has placed a strain on our retail operations that we are struggling to keep up with. Employees have been working non-stop to get back to customers. Sadly, we have not been able to keep up with this unprecedented demand. We apologize to every customer that we have been unable to attend to, get back to in a timely fashion and to any customer who has experienced any frustrations in our customer service. We are reflecting on what changes we can institute to improve our customer experience and ask for your patience as we navigate our way through this.

At the present time, we are still unable to get many pressure-treated products and quite frankly have no idea when we will get stock. We have managed to get one truck of pressure-treated a week with some products like pressure-treated decking with pressure-treated 4x4’s remaining the hardest stock to get.

Although this has been an extremely trying time for us, we remain grateful that the staff and families of Dain’s Lumber have remained healthy. Sadly, some of our customers have succumbed to this virus. Our hearts go out to their families. We also express sympathies to the many businesses that have had to shut down or close their doors.  While we do not know what lies ahead, we can only hope that the pandemic comes to an end sooner rather than later.

On the river, in the turmoil of white-water rafting, there is an expression to “point positive” and that, I believe, is what we need to do. I thank you and pray that we all remain safe and healthy.

- Jeff Dain & James Dain

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Supply Issues

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Just a reminder that we are seeing supply issues from the manufacturing and distribution companies we deal with. Lead times on some window and door products are extended by a week or two. Decking products from Trex, TimberTech and all decking have significant holes in the inventory at our distributors. They continue to fill back orders as they arrive. We've been quoted lead times into August for some products. Treated Lumber has been sparse. In normal times, we place an order for a truckload and receive it within 1 week. Right now its a 5 week lead time and they are limiting the amount of 4x4, 4x6, 6x6 and decking that we can buy. Prices are way up as well. We do have some lower price point decking products by Fiberon that could be a fit to convert an existing treated decking quote. Plywood and dimensional fir lumber are being affected as well.

Any questions please reach out to your sales rep. 

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Building a Raised Garden Bed

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Do you have visions of planting fresh vegetables in your backyard but don’t know where to start? Or have you tried to plant a garden in the past, only to be met with below-average results? Raised garden beds may be the perfect solution. 

Raised beds are basically a bottomless box, consisting of four-sided frames to hold the above-ground piles of soil in place. Since the beds are open to the ground, they offer superior drainage and allow the plant roots to stretch out underneath the ground.  Raised beds are also effective for less-than-perfect soil conditions, plus they reduce gardening work and increase yield. 

Raised garden beds are a relatively simple DIY (do it yourself) project that can be done on a weekend afternoon. Read on for tips on how to build your own.

Planning the Location

  • Choose a spot with maximum sun exposure. 

  • If possible, place the long side of the bed facing south to ensure that all plants in the bed receive an equal amount of sunlight. 

Building the Raised Bed

The great part about building your own is that it can be as simple or intricate, and as big or small as you want. The frame can be as easy as placing 2 x 4s on top of the ground or using patio retaining wall blocks to create your space; or if you’re handy, you can assemble your own beds. You also have the option to choose the wood for your beds. Natural water-resistant woods, such as cedar and redwood, can be hard to find and come at a higher price. Fir and pine will work as well, but won’t last as long. 

For the DIY’ers, here’s how to build a 4’ x 6’ bed, 10.5” high using 2 x 4 untreated lumber: 

  • Measure the length of the walls and cut the 2 x 4s; also measure and cut for the corner posts, which should be the height of the bed wall. If you don’t have a saw (or don’t trust your cutting abilities), the experts at Dain’s Lumber can cut the lumber for you.

  • Clamp together the 2 x 4s for each wall and set the corner posts atop the wallboards, ensuring the ends are flush. Drill pilot holes, then attach the 10.5” posts (on the inside of the bed) with heavy-duty screws. 

  • Connect all the sides with screws, forming a bottomless box.

Preparing the Location

  • Put the constructed frame in the desired location and outline the area with a shovel. For proper drainage and root growth, it’s better to set up your bed on the ground versus a hard surface (i.e. concrete). 

  • Remove the frame and start digging. If you have a spading fork, loosen the existing soil to help the roots of your new plants grow deeper into the ground. 

  • Staple wide-mesh hardware cloth to the frame’s bottom prior to setting your bed in place. This will help keep the weeds out. 

Adding Soil (and Plants) 

  • Choose a high-quality, nutrient-rich soil and plants appropriate for the location. Some of the best plants to grow in raised beds include most vegetables, herbs, berry bushes, and small shrubs as they have shallow roots. Follow the plant tags for specific care and conditions. 

  • Determine how much soil you will need. It can be calculated by multiplying the length x width x height of your bed. For example, a bed 4’ x 6’ x 10 inches would need 20 cubic feet of soil. 

Maintenance

  • Water your beds in the morning when less water evaporates in the sun. 

  • Add compost and/or soil enhancements to help revitalize the soil and keep it fertile, especially during the first season or two. 

Now that your beds are built, you can reap the following benefits:

  • Soil improvement. With raised beds, you are in control of the soil and growing conditions. By filling the frame with nutrient-rich soil, you instantly create near-perfect conditions for your edible garden to flourish. 

  • More produce. Raised beds allow the nutrient-rich soil to better feed your plants, resulting in a vegetable yield up to twice as much as in-ground beds. 

  • Extended growing season. Soil above ground tends to be warmer and better drained, allowing your plants to grow longer. 

  • Efficiency. Raised beds allow for dense planting so more plants can grow in a smaller area. Since most beds are three to four feet wide, they are a great choice for smaller spaces and urban farmers. 

  • Accessible. Above-ground gardening minimizes kneeling down and bending over when tending to and harvesting crops. This potentially means fewer aches and pains for you or the gardener in your home. 

  • Fewer weeds. Weeds don't have much room to grow, especially in a densely planted bed. If some weeds do sneak in, they are easily removed thanks to the loose soil.

  • Protection. The beds prevent people and pets from stepping on your garden. The tall sides serve as a barrier against snails, slugs, and other plant-eating pests. 

  • Aesthetics. Raised beds can provide an architectural element, creating focal points and adding symmetry to your garden and outdoor space. 

Every generation of our family has grown up in the lumber business. And we love that we get to share our passion with our customers every day. But, most of all, we take the Dain’s Lumber legacy of quality, expertise, service, and craftsmanship very seriously. When you come to us, you know you’re getting over 170 years’ worth of history behind every product, piece of advice, and interaction you receive. Visit our website or give us a call at  914-737-2000 to discuss your projects today.

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