Can it be too cold or too hot outside to stain your deck? Continue reading to learn which outdoor temperatures are best suited for deck staining and sealing.

Summer is here, and we are spending more time outdoors. We finally get to utilize our grills, Adirondack chairs, cocktail tables, porch swings, and more! One of the most habituated outdoor areas of a home is the patio or deck, which is why routine maintenance is so vital to the value of your home. Deck staining and sealing is an important part of exterior home maintenance, and also one of the most cost-effective and easy upgrades you can do; however, if you choose to stain your deck yourself, it is important to have the proper knowledge of the process in order to achieve good results.

Ideal Temperatures to Stain a Deck

Is it ever too hot or too cold to stain a deck? The answer is yes. One of the most significant elements to deck staining is weather. It is vital that you choose a mild day to stain your deck so that you can avoid a botched job.

If it is too hot outside, the stain will dry too fast. This leads to uneven permeation and visible lap marks. Avoid deck staining projects in temperatures near or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If you must stain your deck during a time when temperatures are consistently high, try completing the project very early in the morning before the temperatures get too high. Once the stain is applied and begins to dry, rising temperatures shouldn’t affect the finished result.

If the weather is too cold, staining a deck is a challenge. In contrast to hot temperatures, cold weather will extend the drying time. This has many disadvantages, primarily in terms of time and schedule. For this reason, stick to days with temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, you must also check the forecast for overnight temperatures. If they drop below freezing, it could be detrimental to the quality of the stain adhesion and the curing process. If you have no choice but to stain a deck in colder temperatures, you can try to use space heaters to speed up the drying time.

Sun Exposure

Not only do you need to be cautious of the temperatures, it is equally important to avoid staining a deck in direct sunlight. This will cause flash drying, which inhibits stain penetration and leads to blotchy appearances. Instead, choose a day that is mildly sunny or partly cloudy to ensure good results.

Professional Deck and Patio Restoration

Call Restoration By L&B, LLC at 317-454-3612 to inquire about written estimates or to schedule an in-home consultation for deck restoration and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, Lee Elliot, and his team of licensed general contractors are happy to answer your questions about restoring your patio or deck back to its former glory. And we guarantee to BEAT any competitors’ prices! Call 317-454-3612 to get started, today!