Maintaining your wood deck

All wood decks should be stained to protect them from mother nature; sun, snow, rain and ice all take their toll.  Staining will help prevent your decking and railing from warping and cracking.  An oil based stain is recommended.  Pressure treated decks should be stained 30-90 days after installation to allow time to dry out, but other types of wood such as cedar, redwood or IPE should be stained as soon as possible after installation.  Always apply stain first to the rails and then the deck, as this allows for easier cleanup of drips on the decking.