About Redwood Decks
The Secret of Redwood's Long-Lasting Beauty
Redwood decks, in the opinion of many people, look better than decks made of other wood choices. They also keep their handsome appearance longer because redwood is naturally more stable. This means redwood deck boards screw down flat and stay in place resisting warping, cupping, splitting, and checking. Redwood also weathers more gracefully than other woods.
Here's why: The heartwood of redwood has natural durability and resistance to fungus and insects, which makes it last longer than most woods in decay trouble spots. Unlike chemically pressure-treated wood, redwood has no special handling or disposal requirements. Redwood has little pitch or resins, and it is easy to saw, drill and shape.
Preventative Maintenance
Wood is a product of nature. Every piece is unique and unpredictable. Broken boards should promptly be replaced. Please refrain from chaining or tying your pets to any part of the deck to keep the wood from getting "chewed" up or wobbly due to loosened fasteners. Moving the deck without proper re-leveling will have the same effect. Once a year, it is a good idea to go around the deck and tighten all of the screws and bolts. If your deck has nails, hammer those nails back in with a nail set.
Soil-based products, such as cement blocks, potted plants, dirt and bricks should be kept off and away from the wood. The moisture content of such items draws the natural preservative to the surface, turning it black and diminishing their protective values.
Discoloration
If your deck turns gray or black, you may need to use a deck wash product followed by high-pressure water to restore the look.
1) Keep moisture out of the wood.
2) Keeping it sealed will prevent the black (tannic acid, natural preservative) from leaking inside the wood.
3) Some seals will reflect the sun's UV rays, which will prevent the surface of the wood from turning gray.
Finishing Your Deck
Exterior finishes such as water repellents, semitransparent stains, and weathering stains enhance redwood's natural beauty and performance. Tests conducted by the Forest Products Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Agriculture have shown that no other domestic wood accepts and retains finishes better than redwood.
Types of Finish Recommended for Redwood
A clear finish with the proper properties will protect the wood from sever decay and cracking in the long term. Transparent and semitransparent stains typically last from six months to three years, depending on exposure to the sun and wet/dry cycles (southern exposures with a lawn sprinkler will drastically reduce the life of the stain, while northern exposures with small amounts of water will drastically extend the life of the stain). These finishes contain pigments which protect the wood from the degrading effects of UV rays.
Solid stains are more like paint and will last even longer, but the natural beauty of the wood is almost completely hidden. These solid stains will show wear on walk areas, which will have a poorer appearance when not maintained as compared to transparent stains. Exterior paints can be used (redwood usually requires two (2)coats) but may chip or wear poorly on high traffic areas. Most of these products are available in many colors to compliment your home and meet your personal tastes.
How Do I Finish My Deck?
Make sure the deck is clean and dry before finishing. Also, check your local forecast for prime finishing conditions! Always follow manufacturer's finishing recommendations regarding application conditions, coverage, and number of coats required. Brushing is the best method for applying finishes, followed by roller applications. Finishes which contain water repellents and mildewcides will provide the greatest degree of protection. Penetrating finishes should be applied to clean, dry surfaces as soon as possible after construction is completed.
Redwood Available at the Deck Superstore
We have a large offering in redwood decking, railing, and dimensional lumber. Give us a call at (303)287-0233 to see if we could help you!
The Secret of Redwood's Long-Lasting Beauty
Redwood decks, in the opinion of many people, look better than decks made of other wood choices. They also keep their handsome appearance longer because redwood is naturally more stable. This means redwood deck boards screw down flat and stay in place resisting warping, cupping, splitting, and checking. Redwood also weathers more gracefully than other woods.
Here's why: The heartwood of redwood has natural durability and resistance to fungus and insects, which makes it last longer than most woods in decay trouble spots. Unlike chemically pressure-treated wood, redwood has no special handling or disposal requirements. Redwood has little pitch or resins, and it is easy to saw, drill and shape.
Preventative Maintenance
Wood is a product of nature. Every piece is unique and unpredictable. Broken boards should promptly be replaced. Please refrain from chaining or tying your pets to any part of the deck to keep the wood from getting "chewed" up or wobbly due to loosened fasteners. Moving the deck without proper re-leveling will have the same effect. Once a year, it is a good idea to go around the deck and tighten all of the screws and bolts. If your deck has nails, hammer those nails back in with a nail set.
Soil-based products, such as cement blocks, potted plants, dirt and bricks should be kept off and away from the wood. The moisture content of such items draws the natural preservative to the surface, turning it black and diminishing their protective values.
Discoloration
If your deck turns gray or black, you may need to use a deck wash product followed by high-pressure water to restore the look.
1) Keep moisture out of the wood.
2) Keeping it sealed will prevent the black (tannic acid, natural preservative) from leaking inside the wood.
3) Some seals will reflect the sun's UV rays, which will prevent the surface of the wood from turning gray.
Finishing Your Deck
Exterior finishes such as water repellents, semitransparent stains, and weathering stains enhance redwood's natural beauty and performance. Tests conducted by the Forest Products Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Agriculture have shown that no other domestic wood accepts and retains finishes better than redwood.
Types of Finish Recommended for Redwood
A clear finish with the proper properties will protect the wood from sever decay and cracking in the long term. Transparent and semitransparent stains typically last from six months to three years, depending on exposure to the sun and wet/dry cycles (southern exposures with a lawn sprinkler will drastically reduce the life of the stain, while northern exposures with small amounts of water will drastically extend the life of the stain). These finishes contain pigments which protect the wood from the degrading effects of UV rays.
Solid stains are more like paint and will last even longer, but the natural beauty of the wood is almost completely hidden. These solid stains will show wear on walk areas, which will have a poorer appearance when not maintained as compared to transparent stains. Exterior paints can be used (redwood usually requires two (2)coats) but may chip or wear poorly on high traffic areas. Most of these products are available in many colors to compliment your home and meet your personal tastes.
How Do I Finish My Deck?
Make sure the deck is clean and dry before finishing. Also, check your local forecast for prime finishing conditions! Always follow manufacturer's finishing recommendations regarding application conditions, coverage, and number of coats required. Brushing is the best method for applying finishes, followed by roller applications. Finishes which contain water repellents and mildewcides will provide the greatest degree of protection. Penetrating finishes should be applied to clean, dry surfaces as soon as possible after construction is completed.
Redwood Available at the Deck Superstore
We have a large offering in redwood decking, railing, and dimensional lumber. Give us a call at (303)287-0233 to see if we could help you!