Even with a heart for the environment, your deck can be better than ever through wood staining.
Paints and stains are harsh, often harmful chemicals. Granted there are a handful of “green” paint products coming out on the market.
But what happens when you need to rejuvenate and protect wood that has braved the elements for years? It’s hard to find an environmentally friendly product for that job, can you?
Relax – there is a method of cleaning and wood staining that’s eco friendly.
Water is obviously an earth friendly option. Jeff Alley, owner of Wood Re New in St. Louis, MO, says that “Water-based products are the most green products on the market.” His company specializes in cleaning and restoring the look of your weathered and dirty wood with an environmentally safe and effective product. It contains no bleach or acids, yet it will remove mold, ground in dirt, stains and mildew.
Pressure is the secret element.With the combination of the wood cleaner and light pressure applied, your wood deck or fence can be restored to that natural, golden color you love.
Wood Re New professionals clean the wood surface without leaving marks, scars or permanent damage. Then they apply a wood sealer. Don’t worry – it’s also eco friendly and won’t hurt your flowers, leech harmful substances into your soil or present a danger to your pets or children.
This wood sealer is not a clear top coat. It’s a colorant that absorbs into the wood and protects it from the sun’s rays, UV damage and fading. Your deck and fence will repel water or the crew at Wood Re New will be back to reapply.
How Long Does Green Wood Stain Last?
Typical horizontal surfaces, like deck boards, will retain the protection for 12 to 18 months. Vertical surfaces, like fence boards, should last longer between recoats, typically up to 6 years depending on sun exposure.
Don’t be fooled into thinking you can apply standard wood sealers, and never have to worry again. To properly protect your backyard living space you need to have a colorant that soaks into the wood to completely protect it. The sun is a powerful adversary. All types of wood finishes fade in time.
If you are relying on a top coat to protect your wood, be aware that traffic and elements will wear that away in no time, leaving your wood bare and vulnerable. Which ultimately creates a lot more work or expense for you.
Not only is it important to protect your wood to keep it looking beautiful, but we all need to do our part to protect the earth. With an eco friendly wood stain, you can be kinder to the earth and take another step toward living in a green home. Plus you’ll stop worrying whether that sealer will kill off the flowers in your landscaping or harm your pets.
Wood Re New is a featured exhibitor at the Builders St. Louis Home & Garden Show. For more tips, read about these green building products.
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