All hands on (a nicely stained) deck

With the rainy days of spring behind us and outdoor activities in full effect, it’s a good time to think about deck maintenance. In particular: staining.

Stain is largely considered a better option than paint for decks because paint flakes and also collects moisture and water; paint sits in a layer on top of the deck, while a stain seeps in and serves to protect the wood.

Experts recommend staining your deck every couple of years to keep it in peak condition. You’ll need a couple of dry days and a handful of materials, and then you can relax on your gorgeous entertainment area.

Failing to keep up with stain and/or sealant can result in mildew, added wear and tear, and warping.

With that in mind, here are some tips from This Old House:

* You’ll choose a cleaner or a restorer to prep the deck. Cleaners — which can be as simple as laundry detergent and bleach if the deck isn’t extremely dirty — are good for dirt and mildew, while restorers contain oxalic acid and are ideal for removing tannin streaks and stains around nail- and screwheads in cedar and redwood decks.

* You’ll also choose between a sealer and a stain for your deck finish. Sealers are clear while stains contain various levels of pigment. The finish should repel water, preserve the wood with a mildewcide, and screen out UV rays.

* Oil-based or water-based? That’s up to you. Oil-based finishes penetrate deeper into the wood, though water-based are easier to clean up and more forgiving in damp conditions.