TWP Stain Reviews, Articles, How-To Tips

Why Wait 4-12 Months for New Wood To Season Before Staining with TWP

It is no secret that new wood needs to be stained and protected from the elements in order to look good and last a long time. Whether it is a new deck, fence, siding, shakes, a gazebo or maybe a pergola it will need to “season” before it can be stained with TWP or any type of stain. Seasoning is the process of allowing new wood to dry. New wood is very high in moisture and can take anywhere from 4-12 months to dry out.

Why wait 4-12 months for new wood to season? If you do not wait and you decide to stain new wood too soon it can cause many problems down the road. Essentially what is happening when a stain is applied too soon is moisture is being locked in the wood. This trapped moisture can cause extensive mold and mildew problems for the life of the wood. This can quickly progress to wood rot and decay. In a worse case scenario, the wood can deteriorate quickly due to moisture being present and lose its structural integrity. Staining prior to proper seasoning can mean premature costly repairs and replacements.

Why You Need To Prep New Wood After Seasoning

Seasoning is the term used for allowing new wood to dry out prior to applying TWP stain. The dry time will vary depending on different factors. Your local climate and weather can play a role in the seasoning of new wood. The amount of sun exposure the wood receives each day is a huge factor. Whether it is a fence, roof shakes, or a deck the amount of sun exposure can vary the seasoning period. A deck in full sun for example will season faster than one in a mostly shaded area. On average, the seasoning period is around 4-12 months for new wood and 1 month for KDAT wood.

After seasoning, the new wood should be prepped prior to applying TWP stain. This confuses many people because the wood is new and does not seem like it needs to be cleaned or prepped. But nothing could be further from the truth. To understand why you need to prep new wood after seasoning you should consider the environment. Harsh sunrays will slowly begin to gray wood within a short time. Airborne dirt and pollution will land on the wood and begin to buildup. Human or pet foot traffic drag dirt onto wood surfaces.

The TWP 1500 Series is the Only EPA Registered Wood Preservatives on the market!

When it comes to quality deck stains, TWP sets the bar at a high level. For over 20 years TWP (total wood preservative) has formulated excellent wood stains that even industry-leading staining contractors turn to. The company not only prides itself on the kind of top quality wood protection and beauty we all expect but also formulates their stains to be safe and environmentally friendly.

As the only EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) registered wood preservative, TWP is the leader in wood preserving stains. With the 1500 Series wood preservatives comes in a variety of colors, TWP stains will enhance the natural beauty of many exterior wood surfaces and provide a lasting finish. Their low 250 VOC formula found in the 1500 Series Wood Preservative is compliant in all 50 states making it the top choice in the wood staining industry.

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