Deck owners know how important it is to ensure the safety of the wood from different elements. One such way is by staining your wood every three to four years. However, when staining a deck, temperature plays a key role. If you are hiring a lumber company, they might already know what to look out for and help guide you. However, if you do it yourself, you must know when to stain wood.
Before you stain your deck, choosing a day that provides the ideal conditions is essential. As such, what are the ideal conditions? Can you stain wood in cold weather? Read below to find out.
What Temperature Can You Stain Wood?
What temperature can you stain wood? Ideally, the best temperature to stain wood is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. At lower temperatures, there may be many problems in the staining process that might hinder your work or make it worse than you started with.
How warm does it need to be stain wood? The minimum temperature for staining wood is around 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Even then, some oil-based stains might work, as they generally take longer to dry, even in cold weather. Moreover, a temperature that is too high is also problematic. Generally, the maximum temperature to apply stain is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Therefore, the optimum temperature range for wood staining lies around 50 to 9- degrees Fahrenheit. However, the right temperature depends on various other elements, such as humidity and type of stain. Hence, it is essential to read the product's instructions to find the drying time. Generally, the time taken for a stain to dry is around 48 hours in optimal conditions.
Effects of Staining Wood in Cold Weather
Even if you do not meet the ideal conditions, some people still stain their decks. However, can you stain wood in the cold? While it is possible, professionals advise against it. This is because staining wood in cold weather can adversely affect the staining process and make your wood worse.
Water-based stains depend on evaporation to dry. The drying process allows the stain to adhere to the wood surface. However, since evaporation is highly dependent on temperature, the process can slow down considerably in the winter. This may cause the drying process to be affected and compromise the stain’s adhesion as there is too much moisture left in the stain.
If you are thinking of staining wood in cold weather, you can expect the stain to take much longer to dry, which would not effectively protect the wood.
Tips For Staining Wood
While professional staining services are already familiar with the information, if you plan to stain your deck yourself, this is information you should know. Below are some tips for staining wood outside.
Avoid The Heat
High temperatures can increase the evaporation rate of the stain, making it dry too quickly. This could result in a lap mark and unequal penetration of the stain in the wood. Hence, avoid staining wood outside if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Instead, please wait for a cooler day or stain in the early morning before the sun hits its strongest.
Avoid The Cold
The one thing to keep in mind when staining your deck is to never stain it in direct sunlight. This is because sunlight speeds up the drying process considerably and causes the stain to dry before it can properly penetrate the wood, a phenomenon called flash drying. Flash during results in uneven staining, and you might have to restain the wood.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
The one thing to keep in mind when staining your deck is to never stain it in direct sunlight. This is because sunlight speeds up the drying process considerably and causes the stain to dry before it can properly penetrate the wood, a phenomenon called flash drying. Flash during results in uneven staining, and you might have to restain the wood.
Avoid Staining Wood in High Humidity and Rain
Can you stain wood when it's raining? If you have been reading up, you already know you can't. Too much moisture in the air makes the stain wet, let alone slow down the drying process. Moreover, rain can wash away most of the wet stains on the wood.
Avoid The Wind
While wind does not directly affect the drying process, a light breeze might be good. However, wind may blow leaves, twigs, and other objects on the deck while the stain is still wet, resulting in unsightly imprints that would make you redo the entire process.
The Perfect Staining Wood Outside Temperate
While you might have trouble understanding the perfect staining deck temperature outside, one way to avoid the ordeal is by letting the professionals deal with it. Cedar Supply is a trusted lumber company that offers top-quality services to ensure you get the desired results. Their services include:
- Fencing supplies and materials
- Decking materials and contractors
- Building Materials
- Siding
- Outdoor Living
- Pergolas
- Belgard Pavers and Tiles
- Interior Products
Cedar Supply has a wide range of top-quality products and can help you with your next projects. With years of experience and a diverse portfolio, they can complete the job beyond satisfaction by finding the best temp to stain deck. You can expect high-quality products at an affordable price and a bend-over backward service to complete your dream project. Contact Cedar Supply at (970) 663-2828 or visit our website here.