An outdoor deck is much more exposed than the interior wood on your log home, or your indoor wood furniture. Think about the amount of rain, snow and sun your deck takes each year. Add on insects and animals, and those outdoor wood decks really need to be tough! Properly sealing your deck helps protect the wood from sun damage, water weathering and insects, as well as the general wear-and-tear of people walking around and moving furniture across it. Wood decks and patios are a great investment and add a lot to a home; you want to protect yours as long as possible.

 

There are a few ways that you can apply sealer to your deck. Each has its merits and negative aspects, so it can be good to use a combination of methods to ensure your entire deck is coated and protected.

One way to apply sealer to your deck is by hand with a paint brush. This might be the easiest way for a small deck or stoop, or if your deck has a lot of details and hard-to-reach places. Applying sealer by hand can be the most time consuming, but it is the easiest way to ensure you get all the cracks and more difficult to reach places, such as corners and between boards.

A roller brush is a slightly faster way to seal your deck. Much like when you paint a wall with a roller brush, you can cover more ground quicker than with a paint brush. However, a roller brush cannot get in those hard-to-reach places, such as between boards, due to its size and maneuverability. If you have a large area to cover, a roller brush can also be time consuming. These are best for medium sized decks.

One of the fastest ways to apply sealer is with a sprayer. This can be done with an ordinary garden sprayer, so long as it has been well-cleaned before you use it. This is also one of the easiest ways to seal a deck, as there is very little mess. However, this offers less control for application in the hard-to-reach places. See our tips below on the best way to use a sprayer to seal your deck.

Using a sprayer to seal your deck can be quick and easy. Here’s how:

 

Spray the deck, working with the grain of the wood down the length of the boards. Move row by row, starting from the side of the home out to the edge of the deck, then moving down the stairs (if applicable.) Avoid overspraying rows.

1. Spray the exterior edges, banisters and railings last.
2. Allow the deck to dry for up to 72 hours before removing protective layers surrounding the deck or using the surface. 

Tips for spraying sealer on your deck?

1. Cover any nearby foliage, walkways or furniture with plastic or other coverings to ensure they stay sealer-free.
2. Pick a week with sunny days and no wind in the forecast so it is less likely that leaves or other debris will blow onto your deck or stick to the surface as it dries.
3. Always spray a small test area in a spot that is low-traffic or out of the way to ensure your sprayer and sealer is set up correctly.

Are you ready to seal your deck or other outdoor wood on your home? Now is a great time to get started on these projects. Contact our team at Lovitt’s Coating to find the product that is right for you job or talk with our team for professional advice on your project.