Why Do I Need to Wait to Stain My New Deck with TWP

info buttonAfter a new wood deck has been constructed it is important to protect it from the elements. Unprotected wood will be prone to graying, warping, cracking, splitting, and mold/mildew infiltration. Protecting your wood deck is easy with TWP Total Wood Preservative. There is however a waiting period to allow new wood to season prior to stain application.

New wood is commonly called “green” wood. Meaning it has not had time to season or dry. It has a very high moisture content. You may notice the difference in weight of a newer deck board and an older one. The newer one is much heavier due to all the moisture it is holding. As the wood dries it also shrinks. This is noticeable in the gaps between deck boards. They will be tight together after first construction and as the wood shrinks the gaps will become larger.

 

Applying TWP deck stain to a newer deck too soon can result in a failed deck coating. The stain will trap moisture in the wood, which can cause several problems. Mold and mildew can spread quickly underneath the stain eventually leading to rot and decay. The moisture will also keep the wood stain from penetrating properly and may cause it to peel and flake off the surface. TWP wood stain is designed to penetrate deep into the wood for maximum protection. If the wood has too high of moisture content the stain cannot penetrate correctly.

There are some people who believe you have to wait and entire season or 1 year before you can stain new wood. This is normally not true and actually a lot of the wood damage can occur in the first year if the wood is not protected. Most types of wood will be ready to stain within 4-12 months after being erected. All new wood should be prepped with the Gemini Restore Kit before staining. Wait time can vary depending on sun exposure, weather, and temperatures.

For TWP wood deck stain to give you the best results on a new deck, the moisture content of the wood should be 15% or less. This can be easily checked with a moisture meter. If you do not have access to a moisture meter and you have waited several months of hot summer weather, you can do a drop test with water. Sprinkle a few drops of water in several areas of the deck. If the water soaks in right away indicating the wood is dry it is probably okay to stain. If the water does not soak in right away, the wood may still be holding too much moisture.

Be sure your new wood deck has had plenty of dry time before applying TWP deck stain. This will guarantee proper wood penetration giving a naturally enhanced look that will last and perform as expected.

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    TWP Stains · 07/07/2015
    Ronnie Phillips:
    I have a 7 month fence I am treating with your 101 do I have to wash it with bleach? Will I have to pressure wash or use a water hose?

    As the article states you should prep it with the Gemini Kit, not bleach while lightly pressure washing.
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    Ronnie Phillips · 07/07/2015
    I have a 7 month fence I am treating with your 101 do I have to wash it with bleach? Will I have to pressure wash or use a water hose?
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    TWP Stains · 06/07/2015
    John Korman:
    I am interested in a darker stain like walnut. I do not like the color sample shown on your web site - Dark oak 103. I am wondering if the actual color of Dark Oak 103 might look different when applied to yellow pine and how true to color is your web site color.

    Colors vary drastically based on the wood type, wood age, prep of the wood, application, etc. Best to get a sample from our site to test.
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    TWP Stains · 05/28/2015
    Pauline Nevins:
    We just had a new redwood deck completed. We're in Norhern California and the deck is on a sunny south side. We've heard different waiting periods before sealing- from two weeks to one year. Please advise. Also what stain color would look most natural other than clear since we've heard that clear does not offer enough sun protection. Thank you.

    As the article states, 4-12 months and you will need to prep first. Lightest tint is the 1515 Honeytone.
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    Pauline Nevins · 05/28/2015
    We just had a new redwood deck completed. We're in Norhern California and the deck is on a sunny south side. We've heard different waiting periods before sealing- from two weeks to one year. Please advise. Also what stain color would look most natural other than clear since we've heard that clear does not offer enough sun protection. Thank you.
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    TWP Stains · 04/22/2015
    Roy Morrison:
    I just built a new cedar deck and am going to put a hot tub on it. Is it necessary to finish the area under the tub. I will finish around the tub in 3 months or so.

    No need.
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    Roy Morrison · 04/22/2015
    I just built a new cedar deck and am going to put a hot tub on it. Is it necessary to finish the area under the tub. I will finish around the tub in 3 months or so.
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    TWP Stains · 03/29/2015
    Tom Sorrells:
    Hi- what about waiting period for new cedar railings and posts only - aren't these somewhat rough? Old decks will be striped cleaned and refinished - don't desire to have non-finished railings/posts.
    No those are not rough but smooth.
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    Tom Sorrells · 03/29/2015
    Hi- what about waiting period for new cedar railings and posts only - aren't these somewhat rough? Old decks will be striped cleaned and refinished - don't desire to have non-finished railings/posts.
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    TWP Stains · 02/19/2015
    Donna Sarrett:
    We live on Lake Sinclair, in Eatonton, GA - 90 miles east of Atlanta. We installed a new dock with pressure treated wood in January of this year 2015, when can we put a clear stain/sealer on our dock? The person who built the dock said we should wait only 1-2 months but I'm thinking longer?

    Please read our article here one new decking:
    http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
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    Donna Sarrett · 02/18/2015
    We live on Lake Sinclair, in Eatonton, GA - 90 miles east of Atlanta. We installed a new dock with pressure treated wood in January of this year 2015, when can we put a clear stain/sealer on our dock? The person who built the dock said we should wait only 1-2 months but I'm thinking longer?
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    TWP Stains · 10/03/2014
    MrMike:
    St. Louis MO, sun in morning and shade in late afternoon, new deck red cedar wood built just over 3 months ago. Is Oct 18th too early to stain, and what stain would you recommend?

    Please read this: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/

    You would want the 100 Series and only one coat after the proper wait and prep.
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    MrMike · 10/02/2014
    St. Louis MO, sun in morning and shade in late afternoon, new deck red cedar wood built just over 3 months ago. Is Oct 18th too early to stain, and what stain would you recommend?
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    TWP Stains · 10/02/2014
    Buddy:
    Is the waiting period to apply stain to new wood reduced if kiln dried wood is used?

    Yes, wait about a month then prep with Gemini Kit. Only one coat as well.
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    Buddy · 10/01/2014
    Is the waiting period to apply stain to new wood reduced if kiln dried wood is used?
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    TWP Stains · 10/01/2014
    Rob MacBean:
    whats the best 1500 color to bring back the original color

    Most use Rustic color for Mahogany wood.
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    Rob MacBean · 09/30/2014
    whats the best 1500 color to bring back the original color
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    Rob MacBean · 09/30/2014
    What color twp 1500 stain would be to get mahogany deck back to close to the original color
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    TWP Stains · 09/28/2014
    Mark Blatter:
    Is TWP stain a good choice for T-111 rustic siding on my pole building? If so, should I wait to apply or can I pre-stain the panels before I install them on the building?

    thanks, Mark

    Best to install, weather for a few months, prep with Gemini Restore Kit, then stain for this.
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    Mark Blatter · 09/26/2014
    Is TWP stain a good choice for T-111 rustic siding on my pole building? If so, should I wait to apply or can I pre-stain the panels before I install them on the building?

    thanks, Mark