How Long will Stain Last On My Deck
Stains on a deck should last 1-4 years. This is the short answer to a complex question! Some deck stains will actually last longer and some shorter. Below i’ll go over all the reasons your deck stain might do better or worse.
Environment
This in itself is the biggest factor in how long a stain will hold up. Here in the Midwest, hot humid summers and cold snowy winters puts a lot a wear and tear on our pine and cedar decks. Moisture and UV are the other main reasons that break down the stain on the wood. A deck low to the ground or one with souther exposure tends to have more frequent failure. Low decks are effected by the moisture coming from the ground, and south facing decks get long hours of UV and heat, drying up the oils in the wood quicker. A few obvious reasons your deck stain and seal might also begin to fail, would be how often you spend time on your deck. Foot traffic and pets are common reasons you see stains wear off in areas most used (steps or near the door).
Ways to help your deck stain last longer
Maintaining your deck is much like any other part of your home. You can choose to neglect it, but nobody wants to be “that” neighbor. Simple ways to maintain your deck are doing things like an annual wash. A simple bleach dilution with water thats sprayed over the deck can go a long way. this simple step keeps organic growth under control. Moss mildews and molds will eat away at the oils and wood fibers on your deck. Other helpful things would be staining/sealing the wood every 2-3 years. Keeping lots of oil in your wood is the number one way to avoid warping and cracked deck boards. Some people really don’t like the idea of having to manage their deck and I understand that. one option is to pay some to do it, and the other is to naturally let the deck go grey. This is caused by UV hitting the wood, the wood cells die and turn grey. If you’re going with a water based stain, avoid moving big objects on the deck that could be dragged. Make sure when applying the water based stain the surface was prepared well. These little tips can help you keep your deck looking beautiful at all times.
My Advice
In our experience, oil based deck stains are the easiest to maintain and keep beautiful. Find and use a penetrating oil stain that isn’t filled with solvents/paint thinners. The oil conditions the wood while creating a seal against water, and the pigments protect the wood from UV and foot traffic. This type of stain shows off the beauty in the wood grain while protecting it against most elements. Maintenance with this type of product is very cost effective and simple to do. You can expect to re-stain your deck every 2-5 years.
