Identifying deck material
 

Is there a sure way of identifying a deck material once old stain/sealant is removed? This seems to be the key factor in choosing a new stain/sealant since each color looks very different depending on the type of wood.

Thanks.

Can you pry up a piece and take it with you to have them look at it to match?

V,
The vast majority of decking wood is pressure treated pine/fir;
much of that orig wood is just so-so, grade-wise, before they
pressure treat with semi-toxic salts.

If it's been stained before, I would rec'd not trying to clear coat
it: clear coats tend to not last/wear long and it becomes almost
an annual or every two year re-app.

I'd rec'd a semi-opaque or opaque oil based stain: Cabot, Olympic,
Behr, et al, come to mind. The oil based stain will give it some
repellency and protection. Make sure it is "decking/horizontal surface"
stain and not wall stain.

Two thin coats are better than one thick one, though drying time is
a bear. As for "color", it will almost always look different than the
sample color, regardless of species ID, and if it is not new wood,
forget trying to match: pick a color you like and put it on.

For bigger areas, I've had good luck with rolling it and lapping back
over quickly and gently with a brush. Buy some knee pads and find
a fanny cushion: ya'll will be sore.

My Qtr's up, jes' quessing, from the back of the peanut gallery.
GL,mD

Hey, that's some solid advice! :thumbup:

Seems like it will be nearly impossible to find out what material the deck is made out of, although I have a hunch it's cedar. Anyway, goin with all Behr products from good'ol Hdepot. Going with with one coat of semi-transparent stain. Got a gallon of the stuff today at 50% potential tint to test. Can always go darker/opaque if necessary. Here's the order I'm going in.

1. Wash
2. Behr Deck Finish Remover
3. Scrub
4. Pressure Wash
5. 24hr dry
5. Behr Wood Conditioner
6. Scrub
7. Wash
8. 24hr dry
9. Stain
10. Dry

Thanks guys.

V, That's quite a rigorous schedule...I realize that process is one that
is often rec'd, I've just never done it due to animals & people having to
"use" the deck and not being able to keep it off limits for so long. The
other catch is you will be hoping for 3+ days of no rain.

You never mentioned if the deck is new, fairly new, (eg a couple-three years old),
or several years old. If it's quite old, you are trying to do a Lazarus-job and it may
be overkill, imo.

NEway, have it! Hope it's not too big a surface area and you get some great weather
for the project.
GL,mD

Quite a job. Good luck and post pix, please.

Out on the Left Coast, I'm guessing redwood has been more popular than pressure treated pine/fir over the years, but engineered lumber will likely outsell natural lumber within a few years. I've been contemplating a patio rebuild. Many of the DIY sites suggest engineered lumber as a good choice, but expect to pay a few bucks more.