Wood Staining and Sealing - Servicing Decks and Fences in Akron, Ohio
Well maintained decks and fences last longer, look better, and make summer more enjoyable
We have now begun to not only clean decks and fences, but also to stain the wood with vibrant wood stains. The first step after all is to thoroughly clean the deck or fence you want to stain, and we're already pressure washing decks and fences all over Akron!
We have trained members of our crew who clean and stain decks and fences after the new wood has has its time to dry out, usually a few months, or to reapply stain to existing decking or fences, renewing the life of your backyard.
Our team will first pressure wash the deck or fence to clean off debris and any over-weathered wood. Then if needed, will open up the grain of the wood. Next we apply stains that provide protection to the wood from, wind, rain and UV rays, everything that Akron weather will throw at it. The difference is visibly amazing, and you'll be astonished at how good your back deck looks with its newly stained fence.
The wood staining process can take several days depending on the current state of the project, proper cleaning and drying the wood is step one and this ensures that the stain can absorb into the wood grain as much as it can during the first coat.
Be wary of companies promising this to be a one-day job.
We over-saturate the stain so that the wood can absorb all the stain that it can, and then we brush the stain to make sure that any drip marks are completely wiped away. All of this leads to a darker, richer looking deck or fence after the process is completed!
Protect your wooden deck and fences
Dangers of pressure washing wooden structures
We will come out and say this warning: Pressure and power washers can cause great damage to wooden structures and human beings if not handled properly and at a proper pressure setting.
Wood is relatively soft and its easy to gouge out pieces when pressure settings are too high. At JcPowerWashingAkron, we are always delicate when it comes to wooden structures, careful to tune our machines for a gentle stream of cleansing water, letting the detergent do the heavylifting.
Oil-based or Water-based Stain - Two contenders enter the ring
There are two main types of wood stain: Oil-based and Water-based. They have very different properties that should be weighed before making your choice.
- Oil-Based Stains: These stains are better absorbed into the wood grain, they get a deeper coverage than water based stains. Oil based stains last longer than water based and will better resist the elements (sun, wind, and rain) over time but they also take longer to dry, one coating of which can take up to 2 full days, meaing that even done professionally, this will take a few days to complete properly, but the end result is worth it. Oil based stains have a lingering odor that can last until the product is completely dry, so for those sensitive to smells it may be uncomfortable to be near the drying wooden structure. Finally, choosing oil based stains over water based can limit the color pallet, depending on who you ask, but the end product is better looking and better performing.
- Water-Based Stains:
These stains are quick drying, easy clean up, wood stains that are used all over Ohio. They dry in a matter of hours and have less of an odor when drying, making it more ideal for those sensitive to smells. Water based stains can be removed with soap and water before drying, making it better for the environment than oil based stains, which require solvents to remove. Water based stains do not stand up to time or to the elements as well as oil based because they are air permeable, and water based stain will need to be reapplied more often to keep looking brand new because of this.
Levels of Clarity in Stains - 3 Categories
Of these two stain types (oil-based and water-based), there are 3 levels of stain, transparent, semi-transparent, and solid stains. These three levels speak to the amount of clarity in the stain. Transparent, and Semi-transparent to a lesser degree, will show off the grain of the wood, allowing the natural beauty of new wood to stand out and gives the wood a wet look. Semi-transparent will show some of the grain, but not all of it like a transparent would. Solid stain has great covering potential for older wood, its a solid color that doesn't let the grain show through and looks a lot like paint.
Every Board is Unique
Each board has its own wood grain markings and knots, therefore each one will accept stain differently. There may be different types of wood in your fence, deck, shed, or barn and even different wooden layers from inside the tree, each with their own permeability.
Each of these factors will determine how much stain the wood will absorb.
When using transparent or semi-transparent stains, the stain will not be absorbed by all areas of the wood evenly, leading to a natural look with certain areas standing out.
If you want a uniform look across every board, then a solid stain is a better option.
If you have a new deck or fence that needs to be stained, or an older fence that could use some love, give JcPowerWashingAkron a call today, 330-800-4910 or fill out the form at the top of the page. We clean and stain wooden decks and fences for lasting protection from the sun, rain, and snow, so that you can get the most out of your home.