When to Refinish a Deck

Refinishing your deck has a real value to you as a homeowner because it preserves your investment. Refinishing will not only make your deck look nicer but also make it last longer. You don’t want to let your deck go too long between stainings as wood exposed to sun, wind and other weather elements will make it wear out and cost you more money down the road. Learn when to refinish a deck in this Ace Hardware video:

Here are some things to look out for:

Overall deck appearance: If your deck has been previously stained, either with a semi-transparent or solid colored stain, look for variances in the color or coverage. Typically solid colored stains will show peeling where you’ll see bare wood underneath the finish. With semi-transparent colored stains, you’ll definintely see fading. Pay attention to areas that don’t get a lot of sunlight; the color in those areas will be a little more vibrant than in the areas that do, and it may be a sign that it’s time to restain or refinish your deck.

Overall deck wood quality: When it’s time to refinish, pay attention to boards that may need to be repaired or replaced. It’s also a great time to check the fasteners holding the decking in place. Tighten any loose fasteners down to make the deck as secure as possible before the refinishing process.