If you’re looking for a low-cost, big-impact way to improve your outdoor space – deck staining in Calgary is just what you need! Here’s everything you need to know about deck staining services in Alberta, what they entail, and how they can benefit your backyard.
What Is Deck Staining?
Deck staining is the process of applying a protective and decorative coating to a wooden deck to boost its appeal and add protection. A properly stained deck will add decades of life to your deck ensuring the wood is protected. However, to ensure you reap all the benefits of deck and fence staining and painting services in Calgary, you should entrust them to professionals.
Benefits of Deck Staining in Calgary
When done right, by a professional painter and stainer in Calgary, deck staining services offer so many benefits.
Improved Appeal
With the proper tools and materials, deck staining can significantly improve your home’s look, giving it a fresher, more vibrant look. Homeowners can choose from a wide variety of colours and finishes that perfectly suit their style and yard.
Better Protection
Stains and paints serve as protection, guarding a deck from the harsh Canadian winters, sunlight, rain, and temperature changes. What’s more, deck paints and stains can also protect wood from rot, decay, and even warping.
Extended Lifespan
The protective nature of deck staining services will help extend the lifespan of your deck. That, in addition to regular maintenance, can have a great impact on the longevity of your wood.
Mould and Mildew Prevention
With high levels of precipitation in Canada, your decks and fences can grow mould or mildew very quickly. That’s why properly protecting them from stains and using a power wash regularly can help keep mould and mildew away.
Enhanced Property Value
A well-maintained, freshly painted or stained deck immediately boosts the look of your yard and improves the overall curb appeal of your home. If you have plans to sell your home at some point, deck staining in Calgary can increase the resale value of your home.
What Deck Staining in Calgary Includes
Depending on your home and the current condition of your deck, professional deck and fence staining services can include:
Wash and Clean
Before applying a new stain, your deck or fence first needs to be cleaned. Professional deck staining services in Calgary typically begin by pressure washing the area to eliminate mould, mildew, algae, and dust buildup, and to remove any loose or peeling coatings.
Depending on the current condition of the deck or fence and the desired outcome, a professional service will use different cleaning solutions. In fact, a full strip with chemicals or sanding and a brightening process might be necessary.
Site Preparation
Following a wash and clean, the next step is to do proper preparation which will help the stain adhere to the surface. First, a team of professionals will scrape or wire brush off any remaining loose coating. They will also resecure any loose nails, screws, and boards. Caulking isn’t typically needed for decks or fences because the stain will need to release moisture.
Staining
Stains come in many different finishes and don’t require a prime coat. To ensure the best possible results and the longevity of the stain, this service should always be left in the hands of the professionals.
Maintenance
Due to the weather conditions in Calgary, decks and fences need fairly regular maintenance and upkeep. Using basic deck/fence cleaner and a simple wash once or twice a year will help protect your structures in the Canadian weather.
However, depending on the type of stain you’re using, your decks might need touch-ups 1–4 years. On the other hand, vertical surfaces, like fences, usually hold the stain longer as moisture doesn’t sit on them for extended periods of time and they’re not walked on.
Stain Finishes to Choose From
With deck staining in Calgary, you’ll have your pick from many different types of stains and finishes. Depending on your personal preferences and aesthetics, here are some of the most popular types of stains that will not only extend the life of your deck but make it more beautiful.
Transparent or Translucent
Transparent or translucent stains can be either clear or tinted, but either way, after being applied, they will leave the most natural wood grain showing. They’re usually oil-based products, which is why they can penetrate deep into wood surfaces after a single application.
If you plan on using this type of stain, know that the wood has to be bare, which is why it’s often most recommended for new decks or fences. Keep in mind that the colour choices are often limited and the typical maintenance cycle for horizontal surfaces/decks is 1–3 years.
Toner or Tinted
Similar to a transparent sealant, toner or tinted repellant is water-based and provides an additional pigment or colour. That gives you better protection against sun damage, delaying the graying of the wood. What’s more, the colour can help restore the original wood look, even if there’s only light fading.
Semi-Transparent or Semi-Solid
Semi-transparent stains have a maintenance cycle of 2–4 years and they’re usually water-based. If you decide to use this type of finish, you probably won’t need to remove any previous coatings to get your wood grain to show through.
However, depending on the product you’re using and the desired outcome, you might need to apply more than one coat. When it comes to semi-transparent colours, you’ll have access to various colour options, and can even create a custom colour.
Solid Stains
Finally, there are solid stains that, once applied, look almost exactly like paint, and there’s no visible wood grain. The bonding process gives decks more durability than walking surfaces. Solid stains are usually water-based and can be applied over previous coatings. They have the highest typical maintenance cycle and can last between 3–5 years.
Why Choose YYC Builders for Deck Staining in Calgary
If you’re looking for the best deck builders and deck stainers in Calgary – look no further than YYC Builders! Using only high-quality materials and tools, our deck staining in Calgary can help protect your outdoor space and ensure it looks more beautiful than ever.
