Exterior decks not only enhance the architecture of your home, but they extend the living space of your home to the outdoors. However, decks do require routine maintenance. Outdoor decks sit horizontally and are exposed to ultra-violet rays and the freeze-and-thaw cycle of winter. Moreover, natural wood will absorb and release moisture, which leads to the shrink-and-swell cycle. An application of water repellent onto a deck’s surface will reduce the absorption of moisture and improve the overall performance of your deck by preventing warping and splitting.

Our professionals can help you with the daunting task of maintaining your deck by doing all of the work for you. We start the job by taking the crucial first step of cleaning the deck, railing, and steps. We remove the dirt, stains, mildew, and/or algae growth from the wood. We also make any necessary repairs such as sanding over rough spots, replacing nails that have popped out, and/or replacing any boards that have been too badly damaged. After the surfaces to the deck have been cleaned (or stripped if needed), we are ready to apply the finish to your deck.

Today’s market continues to trend toward waterproofing finishes that add both color and protection to your deck. A significant number of deck owners still favor clear, wood-only waterproofers, but a growing number like the sheer-tinted wood ‘toners’ to add color without hiding the wood grain. More consumers are even considering semi-transparent and solid stains as well.

Here are the basic characteristics of the four different types of waterproofing finishes:  

• Clear finishes show the wood’s own tones and grains, but they require the most frequent re-coating.
• Tinted finishes add sheer color without hiding the natural wood grain. They tend to last longer than clear finishes.
• Semi-transparent stains add more color, yet allow some of the wood’s natural wood grain to show through. These provide longer protection than clear and tinted finishes.
• Solid stains add color that covers the wood grain. These finishes can often hide minor imperfections in wood, and they last the longest of all deck finishes.

Let our staff of professionals help you to determine which waterproofing finish or stain is right for your specific needs and design taste.