Below are some general recommendations and thoughts on Wood Siding, Log Homes, Garden Decks, New Cedar Decks, Exotic Hardwood, Wood Fences and more. We will update this list as more content becomes available.
Hardwood Deck Care
With a variety of exotic hardwood species becoming popular choices for garden decks and patios we are seeing more demand for our Hardwood Wiping Stain. This product is ideal for protecting and maintaining dense hardwoods like Ipe, Cambara, Garapa and Bali Teak.
The application process is different from applying stain to a cedar deck. With an Ipe Deck for example, the process we recommend involves a few easy steps. First you would clean and brighten the ipe to prepare it for finishing. Next you would apply the Hardwood Wiping Stain to a section of the deck, working a few rows of boards at a time. Finally, after allowing the stain to sit on the wood, you wipe off the excess to reveal a furniture quality finish.
The maintenance of hardwood decks is also a little different. Caring for an Ipe deck is similar to caring for a piece of antique furniture.
The goal is to keep it clean and free from pollen. If it gets dirty mop the deck with a simple solution of water and dish soap. If you notice mildew growing on the pollen that has settled on your deck, clean it with water and just a tiny bit of bleach.
When you start to notice the finish losing its luster, simply take a rag, damp with Wiping Stain and go over the surface to replenish it. If you follow these basic steps, you can keep your Ipe or other exotic hardwood deck looking its best year after year.
Cedar Fence Care
When you are choosing and oil based stain for a cedar fence, there are three basic factors most people consider. Cost, Ease of Application and How long it will last.
When you start adding up the square footage of a cedar fence it can easily add up to thousands of square feet. When you are dealing with that much wood, cost and ease of use are a big factor. Choosing a product that is going to cut down on maintenance is another important consideration.
We recommend our Woodrich Brand Timber Oil for cedar fences for a number of reason. First it is by far the easiest wood stain to apply to a cedar fence. Our Timber Oil Stain will not leave runs or lap marks. It is a deep penetrating paraffinic stain that dives deep into the wood and finish even on any surface, every time.
Once installed on your cedar fence Timber Oil is very easy to maintain. Simply keep the fence clean, especially after the lawn is mowed. As time goes on, watch for signs of wear. If you notice the product begin to fade, Simply mist on another application of Timber Oil. Usually on the South facing side of the fence will need attention first.
Because Timber Oil is so easy to apply and will not show runs or lap marks it is very easy to touch up sections of your fence, or even small areas without having to feather the product in. Year after year your fence will look great and the more time goes by, it will require less and less Timber Oil to maintain.
Garden Deck Care
Unlike the standard wood deck that is typically attached to the house, a detached garden deck or patio can create an opportunity to get more creative with your stain color selection. Most often for a cedar deck, wood siding or fence, people will choose the color that looks most natural.
When you are staining a garden deck, you can choose a finish color that creates a color contrast or blends in with the surrounding landscaping. We offer four basic stain color selections as well as a clear. The colors can be blended together to create a broad range of finish colors and effects. You can also seal and protect your garden deck with one of our clear finishes and allow the wood to take on a natural gray patina.
You are really only limited by your imagination. If you would like help developing some of your creative garden deck staining ideas, feel free to give us a call. We can send you sample color kits or point you toward pictures of other garden deck projects.
