TWP exterior wood deck stains and preservatives have been manufactured for over 20 years by Gemini Coatings. Considered one of the top wood and deck stains in the market, TWP is a favorite of residential homeowners and wood restoration contractors.
For the first time, you can now purchase TWP 200 Series stains direct from the United States and have them shipped across the border into Canada.
Mold is a general term used for fungal growth. It will grow on just about any exterior surface including decks. Wood is not naturally resistant to mold infiltration. Even pressure treated pine will get mold on it if the conditions are right. Most decks have seen their fair share of mold depending on climate, humidity, and sun exposure. Shaded areas of decks are typically more prone than sunny areas. Even some deck stains can be more prone to mold than others.
Mold and wood do not mix. Mold will win every time. Spore infiltration may be surface mold or it could go deeper into the wood fibers. Damage can range from unsightly appearance to major structural damage. The good news is that mold on decks can be removed safely before damage is done. Most decks should be cleaned and re-stained every year or two to keep a maintained appearance. Regular maintenance will increase the deck’s longevity. Knowing how to remove mold on decks does not include any big secrets. If you follow a general cleaning method you will remove mold in the process.
Hardwoods need special attention due to their overly dense nature. Many hardwoods are now used for decks, fences, and other exterior wood surfaces. The exotic hardwoods such as IPE, Mahogany, Massaranduba, Meranti, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Teak, Pau Lupe, and Brazilian Redwood are tough to penetrate. Only a specially formulated stain like Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods can be used for adequate protection. Messmers for Hardwoods is a high performance natural wood finish that resists UV degradation, water damage, and fungal growth.
An updated Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods review uncovered the special penetrating formula as a top choice for protection, beauty, and wood conditioning. The blend of grade A oil-based stain helps nourish the cellular structure of the wood with natural oils. The superior UV Plus additive helps to block out harsh UV rays that cause graying and fading of exotic hardwoods. The excellent water repellency sheds away water and moisture to eliminate board warping and cracking.
It is normal for an exterior hardwood surface to be recoated every 6-12 months; it is just the nature of these dense woods. Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods makes regular maintenance easy. With no peeling like film forming hardwood stains, Messmers can be washed and recoated as needed with little to no buildup. This oil-based stain is available in two colors (Natural and Red Mahogany). The semi-transparent formula only highlights and naturally enhances the beauty of the wood grain without masking it.
During testing and an official Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods review, coverage rates were outstanding at 300+ square feet per gallon. Messmers can be applied with a brush, roller, stain pad, or sprayer. There is usually no need for back wiping due to excellent penetration. It can be cleaned up with mineral spirits. Messmers UV Plus for Hardwoods is a low 250 VOC blend that is compliant in all states. Use Messmers Hardwood Stain for a professional finish that protects and beautifies exotic hardwoods of all types.
Pressure Treated Pine
There seems to be some confusion on the part of consumers concerning pressure treated decks. This is one of the most popular choices for deck lumber due to its durability and fair cost. Through our experience, we have found that many homeowners are under the impression that pressure treated wood does not need to be stained or sealed.
The main reason that some homeowners think this is due to the word “treated.” Many people believe that treated means that it’s already protected from the weather. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
The chemical treating process that is normally done at the lumber mill, is to deter termites and other insects from eating the wood and nothing more. Similar to railroad ties and utility poles being treated with creosote, pressure treated lumber for residential use is normally treated with preservatives like sodium borates and chromate copper arsenate.
The wood is placed inside a locked cylinder then vacuum and pressure are both applied to force the preservatives into the wood, thus “pressure treated.” Again, it’s all to deter bugs and some types of fungal decay but there is no protection at all from the sun’s UV rays or moisture.
Therefore, like other woods used for deck construction, pressure treated lumber needs to have an aftermarket deck stain or sealer applied to it for sufficient sun and moisture protection. When pressure treated lumber is protected properly with a deck stain, and maintained every couple of years, it can withstand the elements for a very long time.
It’s highly important to protect your exterior wood surfaces such as decks, fences, wood siding, outdoor furniture, and other exterior structures. These surfaces are subjected to unforgiving weather conditions during all seasons. A quality wood stain will save you time and money spent on wood maintenance.
Unlike paint, which forms a film atop the surface, wood decking stains penetrate the surface providing better protection and allowing the wood characteristics to show through. Whether you want to make the wood grain pop out with a semi-transparent deck stain or hide it with a more solid color, it’s important that you provide some measure of protection. Another choice is whether to go with oil based deck stain or water based.
Water Based Deck Stain
Water based wood stains will normally adhere better to a surface that has formerly been painted or stained with an oil based stain. A water based stain will also retain its color better than oil. They are more breathable meaning they won’t trap moisture which can cause a stain to fail. Other factors worth noting with water based stains are fewer odors, a quicker drying time, are non-flammable, and they clean up with soap and water. Water based wood stains are usually recommended for woods that naturally resist rot and decay, for example cypress, redwood, and cedar.
Oil based wood stains are commonly suggested for wood decks, fences, gazebos, and other surfaces exposed to harsh weather. They offer better penetration than a water based stain and excellent durability in tough conditions. A longer drying time is expected, but this actually allows the stain to accomplish a more even finish.
Oil Based Deck Stain
Hybrid Deck Stains
Some deck stain manufacturers offer a hybrid wood stain consisting of both water based latex and oil. These hybrid type wood stains offer some of the benefits of both water and oil based stains.
Choosing an exterior wood stain should depend on the situation and the surface you are staining. Many factors can determine whether you should use an oil or water based stain. Ask yourself what you are looking for in a stain – durability over better color retention – easy cleanup over a more even finish and so on. Research the stain and see what others are saying about it before you make a decision and be sure you are getting a quality wood stain so you get the results you want.
False Deck Stain Warranties
The wood deck stain industry today is huge business. Most every paint or stain company that wasn’t already involved is jumping in quick. The DIY homeowner faces a huge challenge in choosing one of literally hundreds of deck stains.
The sad truth is that most DIY homeowners will grab whichever stain promises the most years of protection. Some companies claim their deck stain will last anywhere from 5-7 years on a deck. Normally these are acrylic or silicone enhanced stains that come in solid colors. The homeowner will apply this stuff on their deck thinking they won’t have to touch it again for the claimed amount of years. Unfortunately, there is plenty of proof and complaints that this is normally not true at all. In our experience these deck stains do not last any longer than other deck stains. In most cases they will fail faster.
Worse yet, these deck stain companies that are offering 5-7 year warranties have hundreds of loops they can jump through so they are not liable for premature failure of their product. Most professional contractors will tell you there is no stain on the market today that will last that long. Even under perfect conditions and when applied to a properly prepared wood deck, no deck stain will last 5-7 years without showing some signs of wear or in most cases – complete failure.
Once a heavy pigmented acrylic or silicone enhanced deck stain does start to fail most homeowners will add another coat just worsening the problem. These stains do not adhere well to each other and the top coat will normally start to peel and flake within a year. To restore a deck in this condition, all of the old deck stain has to be removed so you can start over again with bare wood. Regrettably, removing acrylic and solid color deck stains is extremely time consuming and expensive. Some professionals won’t even tackle a job consisting of removing this type of stain because they know it’s a total nightmare and the results are never guaranteed.
The only way to completely restore a wood deck properly is to strip off any remnants of old stain and clean the deck of any dirt and mildew. The cleaning is followed by a brightening process to lighten the wood back to a lower pH level. Once the deck is back to bare wood, it is allowed to dry for a few days before a new deck stain is applied. In perfect conditions, without excessive weather, no heavy foot traffic, and using these professional type methods that facts still say no deck stain will last longer than 2-4 years, especially on the horizontal surfaces, regardless of what it says on the stain can. Any ethical contractor or stain retailer will tell you that himself.
Be wary of false claims by some deck stain companies. Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. It isn’t worth the headache, heartache, time, or cost to go down that road. Maintaining a deck is an every 2-3 year project at minimum and as of yet there is no deck stain on the market that has proof of lasting any longer, even under perfect conditions.
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Restore-A-Deck Cleaners
For many years consumer grade deck maintenance products have been nothing more than soap and bleach. Restoration professionals have known for some time that bleach is not the best cleaner to put on your deck. The contractor grade deck cleaners and secrets of the professionals have been kept safe within the industry. The enthusiastic DIYer was left in the dark with no knowledge of the right cleaners or methods needed to get professional results, until now!
The Restore-A-Deck system is designed specifically for DIY homeowners looking for professional grade results. This two step state of the art process will give you results like the pros. Restore-A-Deck will not only give you results you never thought possible, it’s environmentally safe and landscape friendly.
This amazing 1-part deck cleaner 1-part deck brightener is concentrated so the packaging is smaller saving you on huge shipping costs. This deck restoration product was actually developed by deck restoration specialists using special buffers and surfactants causing it to be gentle on the wood yet highly effective.
The Restore-A-Deck cleaner dives deep to get rid of mold, mildew, and dirt. It draws out the sun faded wood fibers to bring grayed out decks back to life. The cleaning instructions are simple and easy to follow. After cleaning the wood, the Restore-A-Deck wood brightener is used to brighten the wood back to the proper pH level. This restores the woods natural grain characteristics and prepares the deck for a deck stain. This is the perfect two step system, used by professionals, to maintain new decks and revitalize neglected decks. It not only makes old decks look new again, it preps the wood giving deck stain the best possible surface for longer lasting results.
DIY deck maintenance has never been so easy. Get lasting results that will save you time and money in constant refinishing. The number one reason a deck stain will fail before expected, is because the wood was not prepped correctly. The Restore-A-Deck system eliminates that problem giving you more longevity out of your deck stain. Make your neighbors jealous with professional results at a fraction of the cost.
See here for Deck Cleaner Reviews
Cleaning and Staining Your Deck
It is possible for you to restore your own deck, but you should have some knowledge of the chemicals, equipment, and methods used. Before tackling a complete deck restoration, you should research and read as much information on the subject as possible.
Most of the woods used in deck construction are considerably soft in terms of wood. When washed with excessive pressure they can easily fur up or splinter. Most people don’t realize the methods and chemicals that are required in restoring a deck properly. This is where they make the mistake of blasting the wood with water and then slapping some deck stain on it. This situation results in a deck sealer or stain that doesn’t last as long as it should have. When a wooden deck isn’t cleaned or sealed properly, it ends up costing you more time and money to restore it the next time.
The proper wood and deck restoration products such as deck cleaners, deck brighteners, and deck stains are all an essential part of getting great results that will last. Most deck stains, when applied to a properly prepared surface, will last a couple of years before needing maintenance. When not done correctly, you will be refinishing the deck almost every year to keep it looking the way you want.
It isn’t uncommon for homeowners to attempt a deck restoration without any knowledge and wonder why the deck stain is fading or peeling off so quickly. Then they fall into the cycle of searching for a “better” or best deck stain that will last longer when in reality it wasn’t the fault of the deck stain but rather the preparation work.
You don’t have to be certified or trained to restore your deck back to a beautiful state. But researching the proper wood deck cleaners, deck stains, and proper methods will go a long way when restoring your own deck.
Penetrating Wood Deck Stain
Wood decks have always been very popular. They add extra outdoor living space to your home, increase your home’s value, and provide a great place for family outings or just relaxing. Wood decks however, do need to be protected from the environment if they are expected to last many years.
To protect a wooden deck you have several choices. Deck stains and sealers come in many different textures, tints, colors, and varieties. Deck stains are certainly the best option for providing adequate protection from the weather and the sun’s harsh UV rays.
Many people ask if painting a deck is a good option. Most experts will agree that paint will not work well for protecting a wood deck. If you have ever seen a painted deck that has failed you probably noticed the paint was cracking and peeling.
Wood expands and contracts naturally with changing temperatures and weather conditions. Paint also expands and contracts but not at the same rate as wood. This indifference in fluctuation causes the paint to crack over time.
Because the bottoms of the deck boards are normally not coated with paint, moisture will still penetrate the wood. Unlike a more breathable deck
stain, paint traps this moisture in the wood which causes the paint to peel and flake. Normally the peeling and flaking is first noticeable near the edges of each board.
Reasons Not To Use Paint on a Wood Deck
If you want the solid color look of paint, a solid colored deck stain is a better option. Semi-transparent deck stains can have tint and color added to them as well. Deck stains penetrate the wood as opposed to creating a film on top of the wood like paint does. Deck stains and sealers are a much better choice over paint for protecting your wooden deck for years of enjoyment.
For most homeowners, restoring or maintaining an exterior wooden deck can be a difficult task. With all the available products for deck stains, deck cleaners, deck stain strippers, and wood deck brighteners it’s difficult to even know where to start.
To help homeowners with the enormous task of restoring and maintaining their wooden deck it all starts with finding the right information. DeckStainHelp.com offers tons of reviews and advice to get your deck done right.
With 5 years worth of reviews for all available wood deck stains, deck stain strippers, deck cleaners, and deck brighteners it’s easy to find the right products for restoring your wood deck.
The deck stain reviews are a collection of unbiased ratings of how different deck stains perform and hold up after a 2 year period. Specific deck stains and deck cleaning products are given an overall score on how well they perform. This makes it easy for homeowners to compare one product to another without a biased opinion or sales pitch.
Many deck product reviews and articles will also help answer the most common deck restoration questions. There is also a deck restoration forum where homeowners can ask specific questions and read a wealth of information.
Restoring and maintaining a wooden deck can be a difficult task. Being armed with the right information and the best products available will certainly make the job easier, saving you time and money. Check out DeckStainHelp.com for the latest up to date information for deck restoration articles, deck stain ratings, and wood deck tips and advice.
We have had many questions as to why a wood deck stain has darkened or turned black in color after a few years. There are many reasons why this can happen to any of the wood deck stains that are on the market.
Some wood deck stains are more prevalent to darkening in color then others but by no means is this common issue related to just one brand.
Here is a list of Wood Deck Stains that are not prone to darkening in color:
Many customers have become confused to all the info on the Internet as to what is the “Best Deck Stain” and what products should I use to prep the wood. The Sealer Store has created a very useful online page to simplify the products needed to restore your wood deck. On this page you will find: