FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Exterior finish for cedar decking

dh_landry | Posted in General Discussion on September 4, 2019 10:53pm

I am replacing my wooden bulkhead door using the FHB article below. My house is in Connecticut and the bulkhead is on the south side of the house.

https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2005/09/01/better-looking-bulkhead-doors

The doors, trim, and siding are all going to be cedar. Originally I was going to follow the article’s suggestion and finish the new bulkhead with exterior acrylic paint. But now the wife wants me to use with a weatherproof sealer of some kind so the pretty cedar isn’t hidden. A penetrating oil finish sounds like an easy way to go, but I am not crazy about having to redo it frequently. I have used Spar varnish on a door threshold which came out great, but it took multiple coats to really look good and wasn’t cheap even for a quart or varnish.

Does anyone have a suggestion that falls somewhere between the two? Easy to apply, looks great, and will hold up for a decent amount of time.

Thanks, Dave L.

Reply

Replies

  1. Suburbanguy | Sep 05, 2019 01:27am | #1

    Use one of the good transparent/semi-transparent deck stains. I use a very good one that is only available here in Canada, so really can't help you there. I don't have any experience with Sikens, but by all reports it's very good. Not cheap though. ...but you will have to apply several coats to begin with and an additional coat maybe every other year???

  2. User avater
    Sawdust_Steve | Sep 05, 2019 09:32am | #2

    Be very weary of spar varnish it will look great at first though it may require as many as seven coats but any cracking or chipping and you will have to strip the whole assembly down to bare wood to refinish it.

    Sikkens makes a great product that can be overcoated without stripping but the natural wood finish that you really like will be lost somewhat.
    Since you built a wooden bulkhead you are going to have regular maintenance.

  3. FSmyles | Sep 08, 2019 12:19am | #3

    Yearly application of Penofin Marine Oil.

    Cleaner first - if color is lost during the year. Wolman® Deck & Fence Brightener Wood Cleaner & Coating Prep.

    Doesn't get easier and looks like there's nothing on the wood.

    Frankie

  4. Suburbanguy | Sep 08, 2019 05:15am | #4

    I checked out Penofin myself. A dizzying array of products.

    https://www.deckstainhelp.com/penofin-ultra-red-label-wood-stain-review-2014/

    After reading the professional review of the "Ultra Red Label" line and the comments by other users, I'd strongly advise the OP to carefully consider the experience of others before using.

  5. DanH | Sep 08, 2019 01:39pm | #5

    You might want to consider Sikkens brand semi-transparent stain. I've had good luck with it on redwood.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Cordless Random-Orbit Sanders

The new 18v GEX18V-5 and 12v GEX12V-5 finish sanders from Bosch provide ergonomic palm grips, easily accessible speed-selector dials, and side-mounted dust bags.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 463: The Best of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Volume 3
  • Fine Homebuilding – July 2022, Issue #308
  • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #308 Online Highlights

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Justin Fink Deck Building Course announcement
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?
  • Issue 304 - Dec 2021/Jan 2022
    • Why You Need Blower-Door Testing
    • Passive-House Standards for Everyone
    • Window Replacement With a Side of Rot Repair

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to set_percent%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in