- Do I need to sand my deck before staining it?
Sanding deck boards before proceeding with the staining process helps ensure that the surface of the deck is level and there are no tripping...
- What’s the difference between transparent, semi-transparent and solid stains?
The difference lies in the amount of pigment in each. Transparent stains, although they appear clear, have some pigment in them for UV protection....
- What is causing the ends of my deck boards to crack?
Excessive cracking at the ends of wooden deck boards is a sign that too much water is being absorbed into the ends of the board also known as end...
- How often do I need to stain my deck?
Its a good idea to reapply stain once a year on wooden decks, especially if the deck is located in full sun most of the time. The suns...
- I want to build my deck out of wood that is naturally weather-resistant. What should I use?
Use either red cedar, white cedar or redwood. All of these are proven to be both decay and...
- What’s the difference between transparent, semi-transparent and solid stains?
The difference lies in the amount of pigment in each. Transparent stains, although they appear clear, have some pigment in them for UV protection....
- Should I apply the deck stripper by spraying it on or with a roller?
If Its a windy day, they you should use a roller to control overspray. However, if its a calm day with no wind, they you can probably apply it...
- How can I tell if my deck boards need replaced before I refinish it?
If there are signs on rotting and you can poke a hole through the wood with a screwdriver, youll want to replace those boards with new ones of...
- I’m going to apply an oil-base stain to my deck. Do I need to strip the existing finish off first before applying the new stain?
If the existing finish was a water- or latex-base stain, then you should remove it before re-staining. If it is an oil-base finish, then you can...
- Do I need to apply a waterproofer on top of the stain?
No, that wont give the fence extra protection. The waterproofer must penetrate the wood to work and it cant do that if there is already a...
- What can I use to clean my wood fence?
Use a product designed for the purpose. Ordinary household cleaners may contain bleach, which breaks down the fibers in the wood and can also damage...
- How strong is vinyl fence?
Farmers use vinyl fence to safely contain cattle and horses. High-quality fences have a better tensile strength than...
- How deep should I bury the fence posts?
A good guide is to bury at least 13 the total length of the post in the ground. For posts that are on the end or that will support a gate, bury the...
- What other materials do I need for building my fence?
In addition to the lumber, youll need non-corrosive nails, a post-hole digger or auger, a shovel, a level, a roll or masons twine, a hammer...
- How do I cut composite decking?
Use the same tools you would use for a wood deck. It cuts, drills and nails just like wood. You will want to use a carbide blade on your...
- What kind of nails should I use for my deck?
Use non-corrosive nails, such as stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized. Ring- or spiral-shanked nails provide better holding...
- Do I need to stain or paint my cedar fence?
Cedar is naturally resistant to decay and when it weathers, it will turn a soft silver gray and even black in some areas. To protect its color and...