Decks are a viable extension of living space, a place to relax or entertain. In summer, a deck is a great place to share a meal, play with the kids, or read. Work, too, can be enjoyable on the deck, with a lap top and latte. As a licensed painting contractor working in Los Gatos, I advise my clients on the importance of keeping up on deck care and maintence. The benefits of proper deck maintenace are numerous and I emphasize the importance of deck refinishing for the sake of the deck's protection, as well as appearance. Deck refinishing seals out moisture and extends the life of the deck by preventing rot. Deck refinishing, including deck staining, always begins with an effective power wash. A power washer, in skilled hands, can be used to strip away layer after layer of black build-up, which can be common on redwood decks, or other discoloration on the deck's surface. A novice should never attempt to achieve this effect, as it requires patient, concentrated, consistent and skilled application of the water to the wood's surface. In the hands of a novice, a power washer can gauge and scar the wood's surface, in some cases so deeply that the damage cannot be concealed. After completion of the power wash and a thorough drying of the deck, the refinishing process begins. There are many products available for deck finishing, such as paint, clear stain, semi-transparent stain, semi-sold stain and solid stain. The long-term results for each of these products will vary. While all will be fully effective in sealing out moisture from the wood, some will be more expensive than others to maintain.

I enjoy taking the time to educate my clients on their options, always striving for beautiful, quality results that fit my clients' budgets and needs. Deck refinishing must be performed with regularity to be effective. I recommend once every 12-18 months for maximal protection of the wood from moisture, particularly in an area that receives as much rain as Los Gatos. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the necessity for consistent maintenace factors into the increased cost for maintaining over time certain product finishes. If a pigmented stain is applied as a finish, the pigment will eventually build up with repeated applications, causing more variations than normal in the appearance of the wood. Extra labor, hence extra cost, will therefore be required to remove the build-up of pigment by power washing and sanding.

Local Licensed Painting Contractor

Vedder Painting offers free consultations in Los Gatos, Saratoga, Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Felton, Ben Lomond, and Boulder Creek. Jeff Vedder is a knowledgable licensed painting contractor with more than 20 years of journeyman experience.

Call today for a free consultation and bid: 831.338.8080

Jeff Vedder Painting License #920153

Examples of pigmented stain include semi-transparent stain, semi-solid stain and solid stain. If the cost of deck maintenace as a budgetary item is not a concern, there are are some gorgeous shades of pigmented stains which can dramatically enchance the appearance of a deck. If cost is a concern, one way to keep the labor requirement for deck staining consistent over time is by selection of a clear oil-based stain product. This will bring out natural hues in the wood which will include some variations that will remain quite consistent over the years. It enables an efficient process that will result in the deck resembling furniture.