Don't Listen To Myths About Exterior Wood Maintenance
Perhaps the biggest myth related to exterior wood maintenance is that once you stain your wood deck or fence you won't have to do it again for 5 years, or 10 years, or as some companies will promise, the lifetime of your deck. Nothing could be further from the truth. The biggest threat to your wood deck or fence is the weather and the weather is constantly fluctuating. The weather doesn't know you just stained your deck and the sun's certainly not going to stop coming up for 5 or 10 years.
When it comes to the proper care and maintenance of exterior wood structures like decks and fences, you're going to have to clean, seal and stain them at least every 3 years, preferably every 2. Wood is a porous material and, if not protected, it easily absorbs moisture from rain, melting snow and even morning dew. As that moisture seeps deeper into the wood grain it cause the wood to expand and swell. Then, the heat from the sun dries the wood and it shrinks again. This constant repetition of expansion and contraction will eventually cause the wood to warp, crack and split.
While sealers and stains extend the life of your wood structures, no sealer or stain will last forever, no matter what “state of the art” chemicals they're made of. These products are also exposed to the weather and the weather eventually effects them the same way it does the wood. Proper maintenance of your exterior wood structures means you'll have to remove old layers of stain, clean them and reseal and stain every two to three years.
Another popular myth is that you should use a sealer that's shiny or that causes water to bead up on the surface of the wood. Again, neither of these myths could be further from the truth. In order for the water to bead you'd have to completely seal the wood with either a wax or silicone product but those would prevent the wood from breathing and cause some major problems. And a stain that builds up like varnish on the wood, that would create a shiny finish, would blister and peel in the sun. This would be almost impossible to repair and would require lots of sanding and possibly even replacement of some of the wood. The best type of sealer to use for your exterior wood structures' maintenance is a sealer that penetrates the wood, sealing it from within, and leaves a dull or matte finish.
If you're unsure about the care and maintenance of your exterior wood structures, consult a professional before listening to myths. Your deck and fencing add to the value of your property and risking them is risking a part of your investment. But caring for them properly will only add to the value of your home.