Wood and cement are both popular materials for Orange County outdoor living areas. Cement is durable, but there’s simply nothing else that can compare to the warm look and feel of natural wood. In Orange County, our outdoor living spaces are almost as important as the inside of our homes. Our climate is perfect for outdoor living. And we take advantage of it. So our outdoor wood decks, steps, and railings need the same attention we give to our floors, trim, and walls indoors. Where we can just get by with a coat of paint inside, outside we need more. The wood outside needs protection from the elements. Common problems are prevented by the right deck coatings.
How Wood Gets Damaged
Because wood is an organic building material, it is susceptible to damage from exposure to ultraviolet light and water. If anything else organic stayed outside in all weather, it would break down too. Just think of how skin is damaged from years of exposure outside. Wood is no different.
Sunlight. Do you go outside without sunscreen? You don’t if you value your skin. Wood doesn’t get cancer, but ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun still damages wood. UV light from the sun dries wood and even changes the color of wood. UV light makes some wood darker and some wood lighter. Just move the furniture around on your wood deck and you will see for yourself. It’s like tan lines on the wood, but in reverse. Teak and cedar are two hardwoods in particular that change color when exposed to UV light. Those are also popular woods for wood decks. The right deck coatings protect against UV light. Not all wood deck coatings provide UV protection as well as moisture protection. So read the label or ask the professional that’s applying the coating.
Moisture. Moisture in the form of humidity, sea spray or rain damages wood. Even more than UV light, moisture is the enemy of wood. Moisture rots wood, encourages damage from insects and fungus and can lead to structural damage to the deck or railing leaving your patio unsafe. Termites like wet wood more than dry wood. So, keep your wood dry with a waterproof deck coating. Not sure if your coating is still good? Try one of these simple tests.
Build With the Right Wood and Protect with the Right Deck Coatings
When you build a new wood deck, select the right wood for your needs. There are species of hardwoods that are naturally more resistant to the elements. Every wood deck requires a coating, but when you build with decay resistant woods, you get more life from your deck and less concern with weathering and decay. Going forward you need to use the right deck coatings for your wood. Different types of protection are provided by different deck coatings.
Fluorpolymer Coatings. These coatings protect wood and metal from water and ultraviolet light damage. When properly applied, they don’t crack or peel. They do keep surfaces from oxidizing and weathering. This is the right deck coating if you want to keep the original wood color. Because they are clear, these deck coatings highlight the natural beauty of wood.
Deck Stains. Deck stains are available in solid and semi-solid varieties:
- Semi-solid deck stains penetrate the wood. They protect against UV light and moisture. These deck coatings let a bit of the wood grain show through the stain. You will find water-based and oil-based varieties.
- Solid deck stains are similar to paint and do not penetrate the wood. They sit on top of the wood surface to provide a protective layer that stops moisture and UV light damage. These deck coatings come in a wide variety of colors, just like paint.
Semi-Transparent Coatings. These special deck coatings combine the best of semi-solid and flouropolymer coatings. They penetrate the wood deeply to provide UV light and moisture protection while allowing the natural wood grain to show through. These coatings are perfect if you want to enhance the natural look of the wood with the color of a stain.
Here the final coat is being applied by roller to achieve a uniform surface. There are a variety of colors to choose from.
The Right Deck Coating Professionals Make a Difference
Still not sure which of the waterproof deck coatings are perfect for your deck, your home, and your entertaining style? Call on the professionals at Crank Waterproofing. With over 70 years of experience with waterproof deck coatings, roof and deck repairs, and sealing and resurfacing pool decks they do it right and make sure it is watertight. Call (949) 646-9356 or use the Online Contact form and request a free estimate today.
