how do you seal outdoor stairs

Step-By-Step Guide

• Step One – Get Rid of Dirt and Debris from the Surface ...
• Step Two – Clean Remnants of Paint, Grease, or Oil Stains ...
• Step Three — Wait for the Right Weather ...
• Step Four – Apply the Sealer ...
• Step Five — Apply the Top Sealer for Best Results ...

Full Answer

Do you need to seal stained wood stairs?

Do you need to add a sealer to stained wood stairs? The short answer; yes. I’ll go into more detail in this post, but any high traffic surface that’s been stained or even painted needs a good sealer. As a matter of fact, you can easily ruin a beautiful stained wood staircase without protecting it with a good sealer.

Can I stain my outdoor wooden steps?

Treat your outdoor wooden steps with a semi-transparent stain to protect the wood. Outdoor wooden steps are exposed to harsh weather conditions year round and must be treated in order to maintain their structural integrity and beauty. Penetrating finishes, such as semi-transparent stains, are a durable and attractive way to treat your wooden steps.

How to waterproof wooden stairs?

You can leave your wooden stairs bare if you like but staining and then waterproofing the wooden stairs will make for a beautifully finished product. Use an exterior wood stain and stir it from the bottom of the can. Dip the rag into the stain and wipe it onto the wooden stairs. Before the stain is dry wipe it off with a clean rag.

How do you protect outdoor wooden steps from the weather?

Treat your outdoor wooden steps with a semi-transparent stain to protect the wood. Outdoor wooden steps are exposed to harsh weather conditions year round and must be treated in order to maintain their structural integrity and beauty.

How do you weatherproof wood steps?

There are three surefire ways to waterproof your wood for years to come. Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish. Seal the wood with coating of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer. Finish and waterproof wood simultaneously with a stain-sealant combo.

How do you seal outdoor concrete steps?

Here's a step-by-step summary of how to seal concrete:Remove all oil, grease, stains, dirt, and dust from the concrete.Strip any existing sealer from the surface.Open up the concrete with an etching solution.Apply a thin coat of sealer using a roller or sprayer.Wait for the first layer of sealer to dry.More items...

How do you finish outdoor steps?

Steps to Refinishing Your Stair Treads:Sand. Start by sanding down the treads to bare wood with the 80 grit sandpaper. ... Clean. Vacuum between passes, then wipe down the treads with a tack cloth. ... Sand again. ... Clean again. ... Treat the wood. ... Stain the treads. ... Apply the Finish. ... Sand, then repeat two more times.

What to use to seal concrete stairs?

Carefully apply a waterproof epoxy caulk along all joints in between the steps and along walls, as well as any cracks the power washing exposed. Backer rods should be installed in cases of severe cracking or significant gaps between joints.

Do concrete stairs need to be sealed?

If your home or building features concrete steps, youre probably looking for a concrete sealing product to protect those steps to prolong their life. Without adequate protection, the concrete can warp, crack, spall, corrode, crumble, and degrade in a variety of other ways.

What is the best product to seal concrete?

BEST OVERALL: Foundation Armor AR350 Wet Look Concrete Sealer.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: MasonryDefender Penetrating Concrete Sealer.BEST PENETRATING: Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek 8500 Penetrating Sealer.BEST ACRYLIC: Eagle Armor Seal Urethane Acrylic Concrete Sealer.BEST EPOXY: TotalBoat Table Top Epoxy Resin 1 Gallon Kit.More items...•

How do I keep my wooden stairs from rotting?

0:051:34How To Keep Exterior Stairs From Rotting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo first off you always want to use pressure-treated wood. The second trick that I learned from aMoreSo first off you always want to use pressure-treated wood. The second trick that I learned from a couple other carpenters is to drill lag bolts into the bottom of your stringer.

How long do wooden stairs last outside?

How Long Will My Stairs Last? If you keep up with maintenance on your exterior wooden stairs, you can expect them to last on average 25 years.

What to put on outdoor wooden stairs to prevent slipping?

Adhesive anti-slip tape is an excellent solution for slippery steps. It's inexpensive, can be applied in minutes, works instantly, and is designed to resist rain and inclement weather. Even better, this works for any surface. Use this no-slip tape to add traction to your outside steps.

How long do you have to stay off concrete after sealing?

Typically, it can take anywhere from 10-12 hours to dry before being able to be walked on, but they will continue to harden for up to 48 hours after being applied. Concrete sealed with a urethane coating should not be walked on (with the exception of a recoat), driven on, or wet for at least 36-48 hours.

What is the best waterproofing for concrete?

Polyurethane is considered one of the best waterproofing materials. It can be applied seamlessly and penetrates the surface deeply and evenly. Thus, the polyurethane membrane will fill in even the finest cracks in concrete, reducing its water absorbency capacity.

Can you seal over concrete?

Concrete sealer is a protective barrier that gives longevity to concrete and makes cleaning easy. If your concrete is new, you'll need to let it cure; wait at least one month before applying sealer. Before you apply it, check the weather.

How do you make outdoor steps?

0:232:29How To Build Outdoor Steps - D.I.Y. At Bunnings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo work out exactly where to pre-drill your holes measure. The width of the step and Mark that onMoreTo work out exactly where to pre-drill your holes measure. The width of the step and Mark that on the back of the stringer as well repeat the process for the second stringer.

How do you stain outdoor wood stairs?

Use a brush, roller, paint pad or sprayer to apply a thin coat for clear, toner and semi-transparent stains. For solid stains, apply two thin coats with a brush, roller or paint pad. To avoid lap marks, apply to a few boards at a time, keeping a wet edge. Treat all areas of the wood, including joints, edges and ends.

How do you build landscaping steps?

2:454:04How to Build Steps With Landscape Timbers | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown. In it's just going to give us a little bit of drainage underneath the stairs. Ready forMoreDown. In it's just going to give us a little bit of drainage underneath the stairs. Ready for another. One nice and straight.

How do you build outdoor stairs?

1:453:12Building Outdoor Wooden Stairs - DIY Network - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe railing goes on next. Starting at the bottom and working our way up don't forget to check localMoreThe railing goes on next. Starting at the bottom and working our way up don't forget to check local building codes before spacing the rails. We have steps we have step.

What is the best way to clean a stair step?

Sweep off the steps with a shop broom to clean off any dirt or other debris from the surface.

How do I treat outdoor wooden steps?

Treat your outdoor wooden steps with a semi-transparent stain to protect the wood. Outdoor wooden steps are exposed to harsh weather conditions year round and must be treated in order to maintain their structural integrity and beauty. Penetrating finishes, such as semi-transparent stains, are a durable and attractive way to treat your wooden steps.

How long does it take for a stain to dry on a step?

Wipe off any excess stain that has not penetrated the steps using clean cloth rags. Allow the finish to dry for 72 hours before use.

What is the best way to treat wooden steps?

Penetrating finishes, such as semi-transparent stains, are a durable and attractive way to treat your wooden steps. The finish will protect the wood from water damage and allow you to select a variety of colors. In order to treat your wooden steps, they must be clean and free of rough areas. Advertisement.

How to clean dust from sanding?

Vacuum up the dust left from sanding using a shop vacuum. It is important to have a clean, dust-free surface to apply the finish.

What is a Sealer?

Don’t be confused by the term sealer, instead, look at its meaning. A sealer is basically a coat that is going to seal the wood inside it. It is used to protect the wood from moisture and other elements. Sealers include things like drying oil, shellac, polyurethane, and paint.

Steps to Sealing an Outdoor Wooden Carving

When you seal a wooden carving, it is protected from water, sun degradation, and oxidation. It is also protected from molds, fungus, and rot, that eat at the wood from inside out. So here are some steps you can follow to seal an outdoor wooden carving:

Does Sealing a Carving Protect it From Rain?

The whole reason for sealing your wooden carving is to protect it from moisture. When you seal any wooden project, you do it to keep it from sustaining damage from water. If you apply enough coats of sealer to wood, it will protect your carving from rain or snow.

Final Thoughts

Sealing wood is an important part of working with it. Sealing protects the wood from the elements and depending on the components of the sealant, it will protect it from more than just moisture. Just follow the steps mentioned above and you will be able to seal your wood carvings without any hassle whatsoever.

How do you pick a sealer for stained wood stairs?

This comes down to personal preference. You do need to be mindful of a few things though.

What are the best brands of sealers for stained wood floors?

This again comes down to personal preference, but here are a few that come highly recommended.

Which is better, water based or oil based sealer?

Water based sealers normally dry faster and create less of an odor than oil based. Third; oil based sealers are normally know for being more durable. That being said they take a lot longer to cure and you need to be mindful about them yellowing over time.

Can I use water based sealer on oil based stain?

For those of you who are wondering, yes I did put a water based sealer over an oil based stain. The reason I did this was because I wanted a product that had a quick dry time and little to no VOC’s.

Can you use the same sealer on stain?

My suggestion is to use the sealer that is made from the same company as the stain. This way you will know for sure that they will work well together.

Can you stain oak wood?

Wood comes in all different types and patterns. One piece of Oak wood will stain different than another piece of Oak wood. Don’ t ever trust how the stain looks on the can because it will look different once it’s applied.

Can you use stain plus sealer on flooring?

I would not suggest using a ‘stain plus sealer in one’ for any flooring. As a matter of fact, one of the most popular brands, Minwax PolyShades (stain plus poly in 1 step) states very clearly “NOT FOR USE ON FLOORS.”

What is the best way to protect outdoor wood?

Whether it’s pressure-treated, cedar, cypress, redwood or even a high-end exotic hardwood, the right care and maintenance will protect exterior wood and keep it in good shape for years. Staining and sealing outdoor wood is among the best ways to protect it from the elements.

How to get rid of stains on wood?

After using any chemical treatment to clean and prepare the wood, use plenty of water to completely remove all traces of the products—and then allow it to dry prior to stain or sealer application. Applying the stain/sealer with a brush is the best way to work the product into the wood grain.

How long does it take for PT wood to dry?

For best performance of paint and stain coatings, allow the treated wood to dry for 2 to 4 weeks prior to application. Estimating exactly how long treated wood will take to dry is difficult, and a lot depends on how much time has elapsed since the treatment, the lumber’s exposure to the sun, ambient weather, etc.

What is the best wood stain for outdoor use?

Know Your Coatings. The most common outdoor wood coating is an exterior-grade penetrating stain. These water-repellent preservatives include a mildewcide, and some products contain ultraviolet light absorbers that protect from sun exposure.

What is film forming sealant?

The second category is a film-forming sealant that bonds to the surface of the wood like paint or shellac. These products provide a high-gloss furniture look, while still allowing the natural grain to show through. Available in oil- or water-based finishes, they form a durable beautiful, satin surface, but they can only be maintained with another coat of film-forming sealant. Pigments are added to change the wood color and add UV protection. Film-forming sealants should be avoided in areas exposed to foot traffic, because the abrasion can wear through the film coating.

What is the difference between oil and water based wood stain?

Most water-based stain/sealants have tiny particles of pigment and resin that adhere to each other very tightly as the finish dries, similar to a patchwork quilt. With oil-based finishes, the tiny particles actually fuse together chemically into one large sheet-like substance, which achieves a harder finish and is less likely to develop an amber color tone. Examine the product’s label for clues to the coating’s quality, looking for any reference to “non-yellowing” properties.

How to get gray wood to look new?

The most direct way to renew the appearance is to sand or pressure-wash the surface . However, sanding can be very difficult and time-consuming, and pressure-washing can remove the gray but cause the surface to fuzz or splinter, posing a “touch” hazard for areas such as deck surfaces where people may walk barefoot. When using a power-washer, limit your pressure to no more than 1,000 or 1,200 PSI.

What is the best way to protect wooden stairs?

Water is not the friend of your wooden stairs and will destroy them over time. The only way to protect your wooden stairs is by waterproofing ...

Can water damage wooden stairs?

Water is not the friend of your wooden stairs and will destroy them over time. The only way to protect your wooden stairs is by waterproofing them. Waterproofing your wooden stairs won't only protect them from water but also some insects like carpenter bees.