How Long Should You Wait to Stain a New Deck?

Ipe deck by Cascade Fence and Deck is licensed with CC BY-ND 2.0

While you may be keen to use your new deck, the pressure- and preservative-treated wood needs to dry out before applying a stain. Our team at Teak Master in Southern California will explain how long you need to wait to stain a new deck, along with essential advice for staining your deck successfully.

Understanding the Importance of Timing in Deck Staining

A new deck breathes new life into your outdoor space and brings the expectation of long days and nights of relaxation and entertainment.  The longevity of your decking comes down to the preparation and care of the wood, primarily allowing it to fully dry out before the application of a stain. The freshly cut lumber used to install your decking is pressure-treated with preservative chemicals that fill its pores, making it moist. Fresh from the lumber yard, the timber will feel wet to the touch and will need to cure for maximum protection.

What Happens if You Stain Pressure-Treated Wood Too Soon?

If the lumber used in your decking is still wet, the treatments you apply, including stains, paints, and sealants, will be unable to penetrate the wood, leading to an inadequate finish with blotching and peeling. In addition, the protective effects of stains and treatments will be impaired, leaving the decking vulnerable to weather damage.

Can I Stain My Decking Right Away?

Though you can build with wet pressure-treated wood, you can’t stain it. Decking will require up to three months to fully dry out and be ready to absorb a stain. Typically, the wood will have a moisture content (MC) of between 35% and 75%. Even if kiln-dried, the MC can be as much as 20%. The rate of evaporation of the pressure-treatment chemicals is affected by the type of wood, climate, and outdoor conditions in which the decking is installed.

Factors Influencing Staining

Several factors need to be considered to answer the question “How long does a deck need to dry before staining?”

Wood Type

Different types of wood vary in their absorption of moisture, stains, and other treatments. This is because of the wood’s physical characteristics. Oak and other woods with large pores will absorb more moisture than small-pore wood types, such as maple. High-porosity wood takes a longer time to dry. The wood type also determines the amount of stain it can absorb. Lignin-rich areas of the wood will bind and hold stains more effectively than less concentrated areas.

Weather and Seasons

Wood will take a longer time to dry out in moist, humid environments. If the air moisture is too high, the wood may even absorb further moisture from the atmosphere. Ideally, the wood needs to be well ventilated with good airflow. Conversely, outdoor air that’s too dry will cause the wood to dry out quickly, leading to fissuring and checking. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, wood left to dry in the San Diego climate achieves an equilibrium MC of 12% to 14.2%, with the wood at its driest in the early part of the year.

Optimal Waiting Periods for Different Wood Types

There’s no clear-cut timeframe for new timber decking to be ready for staining. The type of wood is the main factor that determines how long you’ll need to wait.

Cedar

How long to wait before staining cedar? Like most treated decking, cedar wood will typically be ready three months after installation. Avoid prolonging the wait, as this wood can dry out and crack. After staining a deck for the first time, you can expect to restain cedar decking every two years.

Redwood

Redwood decking can take anywhere between one and four months to be ready to stain. Kiln-dried redwood often achieves a better finish than redwood decking that has been left to air dry. Apply your stain on wind-free days with an ideal ambient temperature of 50 to 70 degrees.

Pine

Pine is an extremely porous wood. You may need to wait as long as six months to stain this wood, as it retains a lot of moisture and takes a long time to dry out. In addition, the density of the grain of pine wood varies significantly, affecting the finish you’ll achieve with a stain. After staining a deck for the first time, treat the wood annually for a long-lasting finish.

Pre-Stain Preparation: Ensuring Your Deck Is Ready

The most important aspect of applying the first stain is ensuring that the wood is dry. A simple test is to pour a small amount of water on the wood. If the water forms beads, there’s still moisture present in the wood that prevents absorption. If the water is absorbed, the decking is ready to go.

To accurately measure MC, you can use a wood moisture meter. An MC of 15% or less is usually suitable for oil-, water-, or lacquer-based stains. Ensure that the decking is cleaned with a wood deck cleaner two to three days before you apply the stain.

Frequently Asked Questions About Deck Staining

Here are answers to common questions about successfully staining your deck.

Can Ipe Decking Be Stained?

Ipe decking needs to be treated with a stain suitable for dense-grained woods. Wait at least eight weeks before staining new Ipe decking.

What’s the Best Type of Stain for Teak Decking?

The natural water resistance of teak is enhanced by using an oil-based stain. Allow the excess stain to sit on the wood for maximum coverage and depth of color.

How Long Does Stained Decking Need To Dry Before It Can Be Exposed to Rain?

Most commercially available wood stains need to dry between 12 and 72 hours before exposure to rain. Rainwater can soak into the wood and displace freshly applied stain.

Make A Success of Staining Your Deck

Protect your investment by having your decking professionally stained and maintained by the exterior wood refinishing specialists at TeakMaster. Our Southern California family firm is pleased to provide our expertise and craftsmanship to give your new decking the care it needs for maximum longevity. We’re on hand to provide advice and quotes for staining your deck. Contact us by phone or email to give your decking the care it needs.