My client just finished building a cedar deck that I designed for them earlier in the year. Now they are asking me about how to protect the wood from the elements (i.e. what stain to use). The wood is western red cedar and the deck is in Ottawa, Canada. We experience severe changes in temperature. -20C in the winter and +35C in the summer.
I have read endlessly about this and there seems to be no general consensus about what to use. The people at the paint store have offered advice but don’t seem to have that hands-on expertise I am looking for. Is there anyone that has a lot of experience in this department that could help steer me in the right direction? Any insight would be much appreciated.
Here is a photo of the deck by the way.
Replies
5-10 years ago either Sikkens or Cabbots was recommended -- don't know if that recommendation has changed. Either will color the wood to a degree -- anything "transparent' is going to be less effective (and even the Sikkens/Cabbots needs to be reapplied regularly and it only slows down the deterioration).
Too many people want to keep the wood "natural" (which is to say artificially un-weathered), and that's impossible.
Of course there's no general consensus; that's why there are so many products around. I've used several products on our decks over the past 16 years; most are Japanese products and not sold elsewhere, but I came to use the German Xyladecor several years ago and now use it exclusively--but I'm not an expert and don't represent a consensus. Xyladecor is made in the US under license by Boysen. http://www.boysen.com.ph/products.do?item_id=937
Around here it's Sikkens.
And the running joke is that it's called "Sikkens" because it sickens you when you see the price. But I've got to admit that it's good stuff.
To save a buck or two, you can buy it in 20L pails.
I like Penofin. It is a penetrating, UV resistant oil.
I think the Sikkens is a surface film type, but not sure.
Tell 'm to plan on re-doing it regularly no matter what they use
Deck stain
Nice deck. At this stage, untreated, your best bet is to let it go natural. I like Sikkens but the instructions from Sikkins will tell you to finish all 6 sides of each piece. I give each piece a coat all 6 sides with Sikkins Cetol 1. Doing it this way makes me install wet ends. Then build. Then I coat surface with Sikkins Cetol 23, usually two coats of #78 shade. Then if I really want to jazz it I coat with a couple of coats of Sikkins Cetol dek #78 shade.
I like Sikkins because I had a claim about 15yrs ago. They sent out a rep and because I had installed as per instructions they honored the claim. It was an exremely hot location, but no hesitation. It was a whole house job with just a small section that looked unsatisfactory. They gave me enough for the whole job. Their rep was an engineer and he made several helpful suggestions as well.
A note about Sikkins Cetol Dek. It's a beautiful look but extremely slippery when there's a skim of snow on it in cold weather.
Perhaps Ottawa isn't that cold because of all the hot air that eminates from the House of Commons?