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If you plan to add a deck to your home, begin by selecting quality pressure-treated or composite building material. If you build with pressure-treated wood, let the porch or deck set raw — without paint or stain — for at least six months to a year. The longer you let it set, the more of the chemical used to pressure treat the wood dries. As long as it is wet, it will cause paint and stain to peel. You may never get a good coat to stick if you paint or stain when the wood is still green.
If your home already has a deck or porch, the following tips will help you keep it looking great for years.
Composite Decks and Porches
It’s really easy to care for composite decks and porches. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning. If the exact details are not available to you, washing the surfaces with gentle soap and water and rinsing them well should keep the composite clean.
Wood Decks and Porches
Before painting or staining your wood decks and porches the first time, pressure wash them to get any grime off. Let them dry completely — usually a couple of days in sunny weather. Once you have paint or stain on the decks, they are easy to care for. Just wash them when you wash the exterior of your house.
If you notice areas where the stain or paint is wearing off, paint or stain those areas. Once the paint or stain dries, add a coat or two to the entire deck to maintain a uniform look.
Choosing the Proper Stain or Paint
When you choose a stain or paint, it's beneficial to select a brand that is well-known. Some less expensive brands won’t cover as well, so you’ll need several coats. You’ll end up spending a similar amount of money in the long run. Better stains and paints are also less likely to peel up after a couple of years.
As with the paint on your house, the paint and stain on the decks and porches need to be refreshed every 3 to 5 years, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Keep the paint color chip so you can use the same color the next time.
If you decide to change the color, you can stain or paint over the old color. Keep in mind that if you are going lighter than what is on the porch now, you’ll need additional coats, or you might want to remove the old paint or stain.
About the Author
Rudden|Bobruska Team
Gary Rudden, Lisa Rudden, and Nick Bobruska
RUDDEN BOBRUSKA TEAM
What sets your team apart from other real estate teams?
There is no team out in the market that offers what we do. All of us are Realtors, but
we each have specialized roles, which make our team so unique!
After decades of living and selling real estate in the DMV, we have established
ourselves as one of the top real estate teams with our market expertise and
cutting-edge technology. Our savvy high-tech marketing is on every website
and social media source. We have a huge network with other top agents, which
helps to premarket homes and discover homes for buyers before they reach the
open market. Our services include professional in-house staging services, broker
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price ranges. Each client has different needs and we create a marketing plan based
on those needs.
Our most distinct feature is our in-house construction and renovation team. We
are literally a full-service, one-stop shop when selling or buying a home!
How does the in-house construction and renovation team work?
All work is managed and completed through our licensed and bonded construction
crew. No need to call outside contractors. We are like “HGTV,” but we just don’t
have a show! Whether it’s a small makeover or a major renovation, we do it all. Our
sellers love this aspect of our team because we make preparing your home for the
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Having a licensed Maryland Home Improvement contractor as part of our team
along with the knowledge, experience, commitment and services that we offer, truly
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