Decks need sealers to protect them from UV rays and moisture. Unfortunately, many of the older sealers also attracted organisms that attacked the deck and could also cause peeling. The best sealers allow your deck to breathe, while paint and poor sealers will peel and crack due to their nonporous nature. The peeling and cracking come from the humidity in the deck trying to escape, but not finding anywhere to go. Luckily, new innovations have created more effective sealers.
Natural Oil Sealers
Oil-based sealers are made of organic resins that feed algae and mold. When large regions of mold develop on the sealer, these regions are actually mold eating the sealer off. Oil sealers often contain fungicides and algaecides to protect the deck from these microbial intruders. However, these chemicals eventually leach out of the sealer. As of 2011, several states have outlawed oil-based sealers including Maine, Ohio, New York and Virginia.
Staining Transparency
Deck stains are clear, semitransparent or solid color stains. While clear stains let you see the original texture of the wood, UV rays pass right through the clear deck stains, lowering the longevity of the deck. Without UV protection, the deck gradually turns gray. If you use solid color deck stains, your sealer will gradually peel off when hit by too much sun, yet you'll have a hard time removing most of the sealer without a paint stripper. Also, you won't see the original wood texture. Semitransparent sealers let you see the texture and provide you with adequate protection, though the sealer gives the deck a tint.
Synthetic Resins
Synthetic resins have many of the properties of natural resins, but they do not serve as good food for mold and algae, which keeps your deck from getting consumed by these microorganisms. This eliminates the need for fungicides and algaecides, making this type of resin more environmentally friendly. These sealers are also easier to use because you simply stir the resin and then apply it to the deck. The resin dries on its own. However, this sealer remains on surfaces so well that those who get it on their skin might need to wait weeks for it to finally wear off.
Older Stain Products
Older water stain products did not penetrate into the wooden deck deeply enough. However, the newer products made combining water and epoxy resin resist mold and algae well and do not have a negative impact on the environment.
Additives
You might also choose your sealers based on the additives put in the sealer. Some sealers have additives that help the sealer bind to the surface. Some ingredients do not help the sealers, but instead help the manufacturers make a profit by increasing the bulk and driving down the cost per gallon, such as when they add mineral spirits. Chemicals such as mineral spirits and turpentine are volatile organic compounds that harm the environment when they leach out of the sealers.
Related posts
Wood deck treatments are finishes applied to to preserve the life of the deck and to improve the condition and appearance of the deck. Before beginning any wood deck treatment it is important to c...
Stain your deck or fence for beauty and protection.To stain a deck or fence professionally requires persistence and knowledge to get a truly professional look. The key to doing the job well is und...
Give your deck a face-lift that will make a huge visual improvement. Stripping off old finishes like paint or weatherproof sealer will also add years to the deck's life. Instructions...
Deck stain is a critical part of the deck-building process: If you leave the wood unprotected it will soon rot, warp and fade from the effects of humidity and sunlight. Deck stains can either show...
Composite decking is available from various suppliers in a wide range of colors to suit your needs.Composite decking, commonly created by combining recycled polyethylene plastic and wood fibers or...
