www.southernhomewooddeck.com
"We Clean and Stain Wood, the Proper way!"
Richmond, VA 23225
(804)585-8016
Southern Home has been cleaning and staining wood decks and fences in Richmond, VA and Cary, NC since 1987. That is a lot of years and tons of experience that goes into making every deck and fence look new again. Over the years, we have used various products that give us a unique understanding of the properties of each.
In 1987, there was only one product that existed to put on wood- Thompson's Water-seal. At that time it was a mixture of solvent and silicone that formed an outer layer when put on wood. The barrier kept water on top of the wood, never touching wood.
Next, a few years later came Olympic, Thompson's only competitor. It was a paraffin wax and oil-based solvent that contained linseed oil. It worked equally well, but like Thompson's, wood slowly greyed with time.
These two products solved the problems of flat wood surfaces being exposed to the elements. They kept moisture above the wood's surface. They helped to keep wood protected from rot and decay. Also, more importantly, the wood would not suck up moisture during the winter months, freeze and cause wood to crack, "gator", cup and split.
The elements create a lot of damage! Wood is exposed to rain, snow, hail, ice, Ultraviolet rays, the harsh environment of our geographical location- high humidity, mold, and mildew that can transfer from the air and onto the deck, and with the environment, a wooden deck may exist in, age and damage can come quickly. A clear sealant will age more quickly, so many of the wood sealant companies added a chemical to protect the wood from mold and mildew.
More and more modifications came to the existing formulas and these companies figured out how to keep wood looking new for longer. That is when color became a major component of the water sealant, to mask the gradual graying of the wood and by using color, the wood appeared to hold a newer look much longer.
With these two very good water sealants, came many new products from other architectural coating companies to further extend the life of the coating- CWF by Flood, Sikkens, Cabot, Sherwin Williams, and Benjamin Moore to name a few.
It is easy to see why the need for a specialist who understands these environmental challenges and architectural coatings is very important in determining what to put on your wooden fence or deck.
I intend to offer a synopsis of tinted sealants and stains in a future blog. Each water sealant or stain company has wonderful advantages over the other- some last longer, some hold color longer, I have seen how each product holds up over the years and I can possibly offer some insight so that you can make the proper choice in the future.
If you would prefer direct advice from me, or if you would like me to take care of a future project, please send any emails to, JSowell879@gmail.com. Many thanks for visiting my blog, good luck on your wood refinishing project!
