Cedar decks are a beautiful and durable addition to your home, offering a natural, rustic charm. However, to maintain their beauty and longevity, it’s essential to finish your cedar deck, or else all your hard work may end up quickly undone!
Without adequate protection, cedar wood can deteriorate due to exposure to the elements, leading to issues such as fading, cracking, and mold growth. So, what cedar deck finishing options are out there, and how do you choose the right finish for your cedar deck?
In this guide, we’ll explore different cedar deck finishing options. We’ll explain why finishing a new cedar deck is so important, how to finish a cedar deck properly, and the best cedar deck finish for beautiful, long-lasting outdoor living.
Quality Cedar Products can meet all your cedar board needs. This blog is informational only and not a replacement for expert advice. Please consult a professional before starting any building project as your needs and specifications may vary and it may not reflect the most current building codes, regulations, or industry standards.
Do You Need to Finish a Cedar Deck?
First of all, why is finishing a new cedar deck so important? Cedar decks are known for their natural beauty and resilience, but like all wood materials, they require care to maintain their appearance and structural integrity. Finishing your deck is an important part of that - here’s why.
What is a Cedar Deck Finish?
A cedar deck finish is a protective coating applied to the surface of the wood to enhance its appearance and shield it from environmental damage. There are lots of different cedar deck finishing options, including stains, sealers, paints, and oils, each with different qualities.
These finishes help to prevent water penetration, UV damage, mold, mildew, and insect infestation, thereby extending the life of your deck, preserving its natural beauty, and potentially saving you from learning how to repair rot in a cedar deck in the future.
Benefits of Going Natural
Not everybody chooses to finish their cedar deck. The main reason for opting out of a cedar deck finish is to showcase the wood's natural color, grain patterns, and unique characteristics. Unfinished cedar has a raw and rustic look that many homeowners find appealing.
Benefits of Applying a Finish
While an unfinished cedar deck might bring some benefits, there are a lot of reasons why finishing your deck is a good idea. Finishes provide a barrier against moisture, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations, preventing issues such as warping, cracking, and discoloration.
By protecting the wood from environmental damage, a finish can significantly extend your cedar deck lifespan. Finishes come in a variety of tints and colors, allowing you to customize your deck to complement your home's exterior or achieve a specific aesthetic.
In terms of how to clean cedar decking, a finished deck is typically easier to clean, as the protective coating prevents dirt and grime from penetrating the wood. This makes it easier to maintain a clean deck you can enjoy whenever you’re outdoors.
What Are Your Cedar Deck Finishing Options?
So, we’ve explained why finishing a new cedar deck is important, but what’s the best finish for cedar decks? Let’s take a look at some different cedar deck finishing options and help you learn how to protect a cedar deck and how to care for a cedar deck with the right finish.
Clear Sealer
A clear sealer is designed to protect the wood from moisture and UV rays without altering its natural appearance. This type of finish is ideal if you want to preserve the raw, natural beauty of cedar while providing essential protection.
A clear sealer maintains the wood's natural color and grain, provides protection against water damage and UV rays, and is easy to apply and reapply. However, you’ll have to learn how to refinish cedar deck, as reapplication is usually required every one to two years.
Tinted Stain
A tinted stain offers the same protective benefits as a clear sealer but with added color. This option allows you to enhance the wood's natural hues or change its color while still showing the grain and texture of the cedar.
A tinted stain offers better UV protection compared to clear sealers, and comes in a variety of shades to suit different aesthetic preferences. One thing to understand with staining a cedar deck is that the colors can fade over time, especially if you live in a sunny area.
Solid Stain
Solid stains provide a more opaque finish, covering the wood with a solid layer of color. This option is great for those who want a uniform look and maximum protection for their cedar deck. Solid stains provide excellent protection against UV rays and moisture.
Available in a wide range of colors, solid stains are a great way to cover imperfections and uneven coloring in the wood. If you have green algae on cedar deck or black spots on cedar deck, a solid stain can be a great way to deal with them.
Paint
Painting your cedar deck offers the most comprehensive coverage and a bold, customizable look. While it is less common than staining, paint provides excellent protection against the elements.
While painting provides great protection and lets you completely customize your deck, it does require some preparation - you’ll have to learn how to sand a cedar deck before you start. Also, painting completely hides the natural grain and texture of the cedar.
Oil Finishes
Oil finishes penetrate deep into the wood, nourishing and protecting it from within. This type of finish is known for enhancing the natural beauty of cedar while providing a durable layer of protection.
Oiling your deck enhances the natural color and grain of the wood, and provides excellent protection against moisture. However, it only offers limited UV protection, which can lead to gradual graying over time.
Which is the Best Finish for Cedar Deck?
So, with all those cedar deck finishing options in mind, what’s the best finish for cedar decks? When choosing the right finish for your deck, there are a few different factors to keep in mind. Let’s take a look at them here.
Style Considerations
The finish you choose for your cedar deck has a big influence on its overall look and feel. Clear sealer preserves the natural color and grain of the cedar, providing a raw and rustic look, while tinted stain enhances the wood’s natural hues or introduces new colors while still allowing the grain to show through.
Solid stain offers a more uniform and opaque look, covering the wood with a solid layer of color, and paint takes things even further by completely covering the natural wood grain. Oil finishes deepen the natural color and grain of the wood, giving it a rich, polished appearance.
Ultimately, the best cedar deck finish comes down to your personal preference - do you want a finish that brings out the natural cedar and enriches the color, or are you leaning towards something that covers the wood’s natural grain entirely?
Taking Climate Into Account
Your climate also plays a role in determining the best finish for your cedar deck, as different finishes offer varying levels of protection against environmental factors. For example, a clear sealer is suitable for mild climates with minimal exposure to intense sunlight and moisture.
Tinted sealer offers better UV protection, making it ideal for areas with moderate sun exposure. Solid stain protects against harsh weather conditions, including intense UV rays and heavy rainfall, and paint protects against extreme weather, making it ideal for regions with severe climate variations.
If you’re in a humid area, you might want to think about learning how to seal a cedar deck with an oil finish, as this penetrates the wood deeply, providing excellent moisture resistance and protecting against potential mold and mildew issues.
The Maintenance Side of Things
Maintaining your deck is essential to prolong its lifespan, and some cedar deck finishing options require more maintenance than others. Clear sealer and oil finishes require frequent reapplication, typically every one to two years, to maintain their protective qualities.
Tinted stain also needs regular reapplication, though slightly less frequently than clear sealers or oil finishes, depending on the intensity of the color. Solid stain requires reapplication every few years to maintain its appearance and protection.
Paint varies in maintenance - the initial steps of preparing your deck and applying multiple coats can be time-consuming, but after that, paint can be relatively low maintenance long-term, though sometimes it’s recommended to use a deck sealer on top of the paint to prevent cracking.
What to Look for in the Best Cedar Deck Finish
Choose a finish that offers long-lasting protection against the elements, minimizing the need for frequent reapplication, and look for finishes with strong UV-blocking properties to prevent the wood from fading and discoloring over time.
Ensure the finish provides a robust barrier against moisture, preventing issues such as warping, cracking, and mold growth. And finally, select a finish that enhances the natural beauty of the cedar while giving your deck the color, appearance, and overall aesthetic you’re looking for.
How to Finish a Cedar Deck: Step-by-Step Guide
We’ve talked about cedar deck finishing options, now let’s take a look at how to actually finish your deck. If you’re building a deck from scratch, check out our guides on cedar deck railing ideas, redwood vs cedar deck, douglas fir vs cedar deck, how to install cedar deck boards, and cedar deck board spacing.
Surface Preparation
Before applying any finish, it is crucial to properly prepare the surface of your cedar deck. Start by thoroughly cleaning the deck to remove dirt, debris, mold, and mildew. For stubborn stains or mold, consider using a specialized deck cleaning solution.
Once the deck is dry, lightly sand the surface to remove any remaining dirt, old finish, or rough spots. Use a medium-grit sandpaper (around 80-120 grit) and sand along the grain of the wood to create a smooth surface for the finish to adhere to and open up the wood's pores for better absorption.
Application Techniques
Applying the finish correctly is key, but it depends on the specific product you’re using, so make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions. In general, always stir or mix the product well before using it, apply it evenly across the deck boards, and always brush with the grain of the wood.
Pay extra attention to the edges and ends of the boards, which are more susceptible to moisture, and any natural cracks or openings in the wood. If you’re applying multiple coats, allow each to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next.
Drying and Curing Time
Clear sealer, tinted stain, and solid stain typically dry within a few hours, but it’s best to allow 24-48 hours for complete drying before applying a second coat or using the deck. For paint, drying time can vary, but allow 24-48 hours between coats and at least 48-72 hours before using the deck.
Oil finishes penetrate the wood quickly, with excess oil wiped off after a few hours. Allow 24-48 hours for complete drying before applying a second coat or using the deck. Allowing enough drying time is important to ensure your deck is properly protected from the elements.
Post-Application Care
If you don’t want to learn how to restore cedar deck boards, prevention is key to protecting your deck! Sweep the deck regularly to remove dirt and debris, and regularly inspect the deck for signs of wear, damage, or areas where the finish is wearing thin.
Depending on the type of finish and exposure to the elements, you may need to reapply the finish every 1-3 years. Follow the same surface preparation and application techniques as initially.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cedar Deck Finish
The best cedar deck finish can help protect your deck, but the best way to ensure your deck stands the test of time is to start with the highest quality cedar deck boards available. If you’re wondering where to buy cedar deck boards that won’t disappoint, you’ve come to the right place.
Unlike other suppliers, we filter out the low-grade lumber piece by piece to guarantee you’re only investing in the finest cedar deck boards for your next project. At Quality Cedar Products, we stand by every deck board - if our delivery truck arrives and you’re not happy with the quality, turn us around.
For the best quality cedar lumber for sale and cedar boards for sale at the lowest cedar decking cost, we’re the #1 choice. Call us for premium cedar for your next project today!
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G&B Wholesale Lumber Incorporated is not responsible for any loss, injury, or damage that may occur as a result of following the suggestions, tips, or recommendations provided in this blog post. Building projects involve inherent risks, and it is essential to exercise caution, obtain proper permits, and engage qualified professionals to ensure safety and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The inclusion of external links, references, or recommendations in this blog post does not constitute endorsement or guarantee the quality, reliability, or suitability of the linked sources. The reader should independently verify the information and assess its relevance to their specific circumstances. The author reserves the right to modify, update, or remove the content of this blog post at any time without prior notice. It is recommended to check for the most recent updates or consult with professionals to ensure the information is current and applicable. By reading this blog post, the reader acknowledges and accepts the above disclaimer and agrees to use the information provided responsibly and at their own discretion.