There’s nothing like relaxing on a beautiful deck during a warm Kentucky evening – unless your deck’s wood is cracked, faded, or splintery!
Decks, fences, and other exterior wood structures require proper care to withstand the Kentucky weather elements. Deck staining and wood preservation are essential to keep your outdoor spaces safe, attractive, and long-lasting.
At My Three Sons Painting & Remodeling, we love helping Lexington homeowners restore and protect their decks so they can enjoy outdoor living year after year.
With our 18 years of experience in Central Kentucky, we’ve seen what our weather can do to unprotected wood, from bleaching sun to heavy rain and humidity to snow and ice. The good news is that with professional staining and sealing, your deck can look great and resist damage for seasons to come. Our expert team is here to guide you through the process, making it easy to give your deck the TLC it deserves.
Why Deck Staining and Wood Preservation Matter
- Shield Against Weather: Your deck is constantly exposed to Mother Nature. Sun UV rays can fade and dry out the wood, rain and snow can soak in causing rot or warping, and fluctuating temperatures can lead to cracking. A quality deck stain acts like sunscreen and a raincoat for your wood. It seals out moisture and blocks UV radiation, preventing much of the damage untreated wood would suffer. By regularly staining or sealing your deck (typically every 2–3 years is recommended, depending on the type of stain (angi.com), you’ll dramatically extend its lifespan. Think of it as an investment in protecting the structure of your deck or fence.
- Prevent Rot and Decay: Wood rot and mildew are real concerns in our humid Kentucky climate. Once moisture seeps into the wood fibers and doesn’t dry out, it creates a breeding ground for fungi that cause rot. Staining and sealing wood creates a protective barrier that keeps water from penetrating deeply. We also use products with mildewcides when appropriate to hinder mold and mildew growth. The result is wood that stays solid and safe, rather than softening and deteriorating. This is especially important for deck boards, railings, and steps, keeping them structurally sound and safe to walk on.
- Enhance Natural Beauty: A great thing about wood staining is how it enhances the beauty of the wood grain. Unlike paint that covers wood completely, a semi-transparent stain will soak into the wood and accentuate its natural patterns. Even with a more solid-color stain, you’ll typically still see some wood texture. For a contemporary look, you can choose from various stain colors, from natural cedar tones to rich browns, or even gray tones. Staining brings out the wood’s character and can make an old, graying deck look warm and inviting again. Your deck or fence is a major part of your home’s curb appeal and your outdoor enjoyment – making it look its best increases your pride in your home (and maybe even property value due to better curb appeal).
- Splinter and Wear Protection: Have you (or one of your children or pets) ever gotten a splinter from an old deck? Ouch! Dry, untreated wood is prone to splintering, which isn’t fun for anyone’s feet. By keeping your deck sealed, you help the surface stay smoother and splinters at bay. Stains and sealers also often contain oils or acrylics that condition the wood and reduce cracking and splitting. Plus, a properly stained deck is easier to clean – dirt and spills sit on the protective finish instead of soaking into the wood grain, so you can hose off or sweep the deck and keep it looking tidy.
Our Deck Staining and Wood Care Process
At My Three Sons Painting & Remodeling, we approach deck staining with the same professionalism as a complete painting project. Our goal is to ensure your deck not only looks fantastic but is also set up to withstand the elements for as long as possible. Here’s how we handle our deck and exterior wood projects:
- Inspection and Prep: First, we examine the condition of your deck (or fence or pergola). We look for signs of rot, loose boards, protruding nails, or old failing stain that needs removal. We’ll discuss any repairs that might be needed – for instance, replacing a few rotten boards or tightening loose railings. Then we move to prep: this usually involves a thorough cleaning. Often, we’ll pressure wash the wood to remove dirt, gray weathering, algae, or peeling old stain. (For gentler cleaning needs, we can do a scrub with deck cleaner solution instead.) If old stain is flaking badly, we may lightly sand the wood or use a stain stripper in those areas. Clean, bare (or evenly pre-stained) wood will ensure the new stain penetrates and adheres properly. We let the deck dry completely after washing – typically a day or two of dry weather – before the next step.
- Choosing the Right Product: Not all deck stains are the same. We’ll help you choose the ideal stain or sealer for your needs and aesthetic preferences. Options include clear sealers, semi-transparent stains (which show grain and add slight color), semi-solid, or solid stains (more like an opaque color). We consider the type of wood you have, its age, and how much sun it gets. We typically use high-quality products from trusted brands (like Sherwin-Williams or Cabot deck stains) that are formulated for durability in our climate. If you’re unsure on color, we can apply a couple of small test patches on your deck to see how different stains look on your wood before committing.
- Staining Application: When it’s time to stain, we usually work in sections. Using brushes, rollers, and sometimes sprayers, we apply an even coat of stain following the wood’s grain. For railings and intricate parts, brushing by hand ensures every nook and cranny gets coverage. Deck boards can be rolled or sprayed then back-brushed for even penetration. Our team is careful to avoid lap marks and drips – we keep a “wet edge” as we go so the finish is uniform. Depending on the product, we may apply one or two coats (some stains are 1-coat formulas, while others need a second coat for optimal protection and color uniformity). We also pay attention to staining the cut ends of boards and steps, which are very absorbent areas that benefit from sealing.
- Final Seal & Cleanup: Many modern deck stains include sealant, but if we use a separate sealer or a clear topcoat for extra protection, we’ll apply that after the stain has set. Once we’re done, we give the deck some time to dry before cleanup to avoid tracking any stain. Then we remove any coverings (we protect nearby plants or surfaces during staining), and put back items we moved (like planters or furniture, though you’ll want to keep furniture off for a day or two until the stain fully cures). We’ll invite you to inspect the finished project with us. You’ll see the immediate difference – the deck will have a rich color and sheen of a protected, like-new surface. We’ll also give you maintenance tips, like when to consider the next recoat (often in a couple of years) and how to spot when the stain is wearing thin.
Preserving All Your Exterior Wood
While decks are a popular feature, don’t forget we can also stain and preserve fences, pergolas, gazebos, wooden porch columns, and more. The same expertise we bring to decks applies to any exterior wood structure. Perhaps you have a classic Kentucky horse fence around your property that needs a fresh coat of black or white paint – we do that. Or maybe a playset for the kids that you want to protect so it lasts through their childhood. Keeping outdoor wood in great shape is our specialty. We even handle log cabins or wood siding staining. Our comprehensive knowledge and 45+ years of industry experience (via our owner) means we can tackle complex jobs safely and effectively – including working on multi-story exterior wood or removing old lead-based paints from very old structures (we’re certified for lead paint removal). And as always, Three Sons Painting & Remodeling brings the values that have earned us an A+ BBB rating and dozens of 5-star reviews: honesty, quality, and top-notch customer service. We’re a local, family-owned team that treats you like a neighbor because you are our neighbors!
Conclusion:
Your deck should be a source of relaxation and pride – not worry about splinters or eyesore boards. With professional deck staining and wood preservation, you’ll protect your investment and create an outdoor space you love to use. Three Sons Painting & Remodeling is here to help you keep your deck and other exterior wood in prime condition in Lexington’s climate. Let us handle the hard work of cleaning, staining, and sealing, while you plan your next barbecue on that refreshed deck! Reach out today for a free consultation or quote on deck staining. We’ll provide expert guidance on the best solutions for your wood, and we’ll make the process easy and enjoyable. Here’s to many more years of making memories on a beautiful, protected deck!
