Why You Should Always Stain and Seal Treated Wood

There is a common misconception that because treated wood offers some protections against termites and decay, it does not need to be further treated with stains and sealants. It’s important to note that sealants should cover all exposed wood surfaces upon completion of construction to control splitting or cracking, as well as to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Treated wood is a material that’s been chemically treated to protect against pests and insects. You can enjoy a stable installation years after it goes up without concern of the structural integrity of the wood failing because of these critters. But this is only one issue that’s resolved with the treatment of the wood.

Here are some reasons why it’s important to stain and seal treated wood in some common applications at residential properties. Contact your general contractor in Fort Worth, TX to learn more.

Fences

Your fences are fully exposed to the elements, and will have at least some of their parts coming into contact with the ground. For this reason, you must take care in selecting and applying a finish that will allow your fence to withstand these conditions for many years to come.

If you desire a finish with your fence, you should make sure to choose a semi-transparent penetrating stain or a water-repellent sealer and preservative that contains a mildewcide, or a sealer that is otherwise resistant to mildew. These types of finishes will absorb into the wood, but will not form a film on the surface, and you don’t have to worry about them peeling away or cracking. Plus, they come in a number of colors that will show off your wood grain.

If you plan to use paint, you should make sure you brush the surface, all joints and all ends with a water-repellent or sealer preservative and allow the surface to dry for at least two days before you begin the painting process. This will ensure the wood beneath the paint will stand up against the elements well into the future. When you repaint, make sure you scrape off all loose paint from the wood, and brush on the sealer or preservative, waiting to let the wood dry before continuing.

Porches and decks

Porches and decks see a particularly high amount of exposure to the elements because of their significant number of horizontal/flat planks. These surfaces are frequently going to be exposed to direct sunlight and will more easily collect moisture, which means the weathering process is accelerated in these areas.

For decks that are fully exposed to the elements, using a water-repellent sealer or penetrating semi-transparent stain is typically the best solution even on pressure treated wood. There are special finishes made for decks, which tend to have a shorter service life than paint but can be reapplied more easily. Light-colored stains will last longer than dark ones that get a lot of traffic because they have the least contrast in grain color as wear occurs.

For more information about finishing pressure treated wood during fence installation in Fort Worth, TX, contact New Creation Construction today.

Categorised in: Remodeling & Renovating