Should I polyurethane my outdoor wood deck?
If you have ever considered using a polyurethane coat to give your outdoor wood deck a smooth appearance, read this article and really think about the potential repercussions. As always, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below. Deck stains are meant as a protective finish for exterior wood.
Can you apply clear sealer or polyurethane over deck stain?
As the deck stain begins to fail underneath the polyurethane it won’t be possible to clean and recoat it without stripping off all the polyurethane first. So can you apply a clear sealer or polyurethane over a deck stain?
What happens if you put polyurethane on outside wood?
Rain and harsh UV rays will cause polyurethane to fail quickly, which will subject the wood to weathering. The polyurethane will blister and peel on exterior wood. This will create a nightmare to fix where heavy sanding will be involved in the removal.
Can You stain a deck to make it shine?
This type of deck stain will enhance the natural beauty of the wood increasing its appearance. When refinishing a deck, do not use a urethane, varnish, or polyurethane coating that films on top of the wood, creating a “shiny” finish.
Can you put a clear coat over deck stain?
Clear finish can be applied over stain or directly to raw wood. It's an extra step, but it's always worth the time. A clear finish provides a protective coat for your wood that guards it against stains, water damage, and natural wear and tear.
How long does polyurethane last on a deck?
Wood Finish Shelf Life: Can Stains and Finishes Go Bad?ProductShelf LifeOil-Based Stain + Poly5 YearsWater-Based Stain + Poly3 YearsWater-Based Polyurethane3 YearsOil Based Polyurethane3 Years4 more rows•Jan 3, 2021
Is it better to seal a deck or stain it?
Sealing a deck is best for cedar, teak, mahogany, or other quality woods as it enhances the wood grain and natural color. What is this? Staining a deck protects the wood from mold, mildew, moisture, and rot, and UV rays and sun damage.
Should I put polyurethane over stain on deck?
Applying a clear sealer or polyurethane over a deck stain will cause more problems than it is worth. If you want a clear finish then you can strip off any old stain and start fresh with bare wood. Then you can apply a clear sealer if that is the look you are going for.
What is the best finish to put on a deck?
Wood decks are exposed to severe weather conditions and need to be protected with the correct type of wood sealant. The best choice for finishing a wood deck is to use an exterior wood stain. A semi-transparent penetrating stain will provide adequate water and sun protection.
What is the best thing to seal a deck with?
Best Deck SealersThompsons Waterseal Advanced Natural Wood Protector.ECO-SAFE Wood Treatment – Stain & Preservation by Tall Earth.Rust-Oleum Coppercoat Wood Preservative.CabotStain Australian Timber Oil Penetrating Oil.Thompsons Waterseal – Transparent Stain.
Do I need to sand deck before sealing?
Once dry, these wood fibers can remain raised and may cause splinters. For this reason, light but thoroughly sanding your wood deck is a necessary step before staining or sealing. This crucial step will ensure that your refinishing job gives great results.
What's better than Thompson's water seal?
According to them, these are the nine most effective wood sealers:Thompson's Water Seal. ... Rainguard Premium Wood Sealer. ... DEFY Crystal Clear Sealer. ... Anchorseal 2. ... Roxil Wood Protection Cream. ... Eco-Advance Exterior Wood Waterproofer. ... Ready Seal Stain and Sealer for Wood. ... Pure Tung Oil Natural Wood Sealer.
How long does deck sealer last?
You should reapply wood sealer at least every three years. In many cases, you need to seal a wood deck once a year. The more foot traffic and sun exposure your deck gets, the more often you need to apply deck sealant.
Is polyurethane water resistant?
Polyurethane, varnish, and lacquer are tried-and-true sealants with excellent waterproofing properties.
Is polyurethane a wood sealer?
More than a mere shine, polyurethane sealer protects and preserves the finish you've chosen for your furniture or flooring. To apply polyurethane in such a way that it actually performs its intended role, precision is key. If you're going to cut corners, then you may as well skip the sealer.
How long after staining wood can you apply polyurethane?
How long should you wait between applying a stain and a polyurethane coating? Considering that most commonly used stains take between 12 to 24 hours to dry and cure completely, it's good practice to wait a full 24 hours before applying polyurethane sealer to your workpiece after your stain has been applied.
How long will polyurethane last outside?
Polyurethane: How Much Do You Need & How Long Will It Last? 12 months - The length of time a poly should be usable after you open the can. Label the lid with the date it was unsealed. 1 teaspoon - To keep a partially filled can of oil-based poly from skinning over, cover the finish with this amount of mineral spirits.
How long does polyurethane last on wood?
Gloss oil-based varnish, polyurethane and Danish oil can last 10 or 20 years, though satin finishes and stains may fail sooner as pigments and flattening agents disable the driers. Water-based coatings and paints can also be viable longer than three years. Shellac, though, can go bad in under a year.
Will polyurethane protect wood from water?
Does polyurethane protect wood from water? Yes, polyurethane provides a protective layer on hardwood (as well as furniture) making it harder for water to penetrate into the wood. But, it is not waterproof; rather, it's water resistant.
How long does water-based polyurethane last?
about 3 to 5 yearsDurability and Longevity Water-based polyurethane typically lasts about 3 to 5 years at maximum shine and performance, compared to a varnish or oil-based polyurethane's 7 to 10 years. But that depends on a few considerations: High-traffic areas wear down much faster than areas of the floor that rarely see action.
Cleaning
Even if this is a brand new deck that you just built, you should give it a thorough cleaning before you do anything with it. If you notice any oil stains on it, these can be lifted with mineral spirits.
Staining
Believe it or not, you don't have to stain a deck or any other wood surface before applying a protective topcoat, such as polyurethane. If you prefer the fully natural look of the wood without a stain to enhance it, you can go ahead and paint the polyurethane on right away.
Polyurethane Types
There are a lot of types of polyurethane, oil-based, water-based and oil-modified, clear and pigmented. All you really need to look for is an exterior polyurethane, which will be right on the label.
Application
Stained or unstained, it's time to get that protective polyurethane on your wood deck. As for actual application, you can brush it, roll it or spray it, whichever you feel most comfortable doing. When that first coat dries, it's normal for it to bubble up a bit.
The Drip Cap
A protective polyurethane topcoat is a great way to seal your wooden deck and increase its longevity.
How many gallon pails of polyurethane?
The polyurethane may come in two 5-gallon pails containing clear and grey components, each needing thorough mixing with a mixer attachment for a power screwdriver. Mix the polyurethane according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which typically ask you to pour equal amounts of the components into a third, clean pail and to continue to mix them. Pour a portion of the blended coating into the well of a roller pan.
Does polyurethane protect wood from UV light?
They also protect wood from UV light. Deck owners in California can look for polyurethan e products with low VOC -- volatile organic compounds -- ratings, designed to improve air quality in the Golden State.
Can you use polyurethane on a deck?
Polyurethane is more commonly thought of as an attractive, durable finish for interior wood floors than as a deck coating. Still, if you have a deck subjected to high traffic, or you want an exceptionally long-lasting deck finish, you can apply a polyurethane coating as the second step in a primer-and-topcoat coating system.
