Have you just finished building a cedar deck? You probably know that, if you want to prevent your wood from graying and becoming damaged, you must protect your boards with an oil or a stain. Now, what you might not know is that you have to wait before staining or oiling your cedar deck. Otherwise, the boards may not let the finish penetrate properly.
We explain the best time to stain your deck and how long to wait depending on the product you want to apply.
01
How long to wait before oiling or staining your cedar deck
Cedar is a resinous wood, meaning it naturally contains its own oils. This characteristic gives it a certain resistance to insects that can damage wood as well as to mold. However, these same resins mean that you cannot apply just any stain to new cedar.
The waiting time before you can stain new cedar can therefore vary considerably. Depending on the chosen finishing product, you may need to wait as little as 30 days or up to 1 year before you can treat it adequately.
We have created a table for you so you know how long to wait based on the stain you plan to use.
02
Factors to consider before staining your cedar deck
Several factors can influence the ideal time to treat your cedar deck. It is therefore important to take these conditions into account before applying your finish. If the product is applied in the wrong conditions, it may not adhere well to the wood, or it may peel or wear prematurely.
Let’s look at these factors together.
A) The moisture content in your wood
Firstly, a factor that applies to any type of wood is its moisture content. Wood that has just come out of the mill has a high moisture content. This moisture fills the pores of the wood and prevents the stain from penetrating and therefore adhering to your deck.
You must therefore wait for the moisture in your deck boards to decrease to the level recommended by your stain manufacturer.
B) The oils and resins naturally present in cedar deck boards
It’s not just moisture in new cedar, but also resin and natural oils that fill the wood during the first few weeks. They can prevent the finish from adhering to the boards. These oils will stabilize over time, and then your boards will be ready to receive the stain. Moisture is therefore not the only reason why you must wait before staining your cedar deck.
…but be careful not to wait too long!
If you leave your cedar without protection for too long, it will turn gray and even slowly turn black under the effect of natural aggressions. The main culprits are the sun’s rays and exposure to rain.
Even though cedar has the advantage of not rotting (or, at least, rotting much more slowly than other wood species), we want to avoid its graying mainly for two reasons:
- It is less attractive (according to some people).
- The more your new cedar grays or turns black, the more you will have to work at the time of maintenance (cleaning with more powerful products, more insistent sanding, etc.).
03
Applying the finish to your cedar deck according to the finish you apply
We take a more detailed look at the case-by-case basis for each finishing system.
A) When to treat your cedar deck with a water-based stain?
The truth: it is not recommended to apply a traditional water-based stain to a cedar deck. The natural oils in cedar can act as a repellent and interfere with the adhesion of water-based stains. That’s why these products tend to peel prematurely when applied to cedar.
B) When to apply a hybrid solid stain to your cedar deck?
If you want a solid finish that partially masks the wood grain, you can consider a hybrid-based solid stain. These are stains where the solvent is water, but they also contain resins or oil-based additives. They will generally adhere better to cedar and present less risk of peeling than a 100% water-based stain.
However, solid stains are more film-forming. In other words, they form a film on the surface of the wood rather than penetrating like a semi-transparent stain. They therefore allow the cedar to breathe less.
That is why it is particularly important to ensure the wood is very dry before applying a solid stain. Why? Because the finish forms a film that limits the moisture’s ability to leave the wood. If moisture remains in the cedar, it will try to escape by evaporating. This pressure can eventually cause the finish to lift and peel.
For this same reason, keep in mind that solid stains generally have a greater tendency to peel than penetrating semi-transparent stains.
In the event that you choose a solid stain, it is therefore preferable to wait about a year before treating your wood.
After spending a winter outdoors, even cedar, which is naturally resistant, may have started to turn gray. You will then need to clean it well with a wood brightener product, then proceed with a good sanding before applying the stain.
C) How long to wait to apply a natural oil to new cedar?
Natural oils are particularly interesting for highlighting the richness of the cedar grain. They are penetrating products that enhance the wood grain and give it more depth, with a warm and polished look. Furthermore, finishing oils are well-suited to cedar since they do not conflict with the oils it naturally contains.
If you opt for a natural oil, you can generally wait 2 to 3 months before treating your cedar, which is until the end of the summer following your deck’s installation. As always, a good sanding is recommended before application to promote good oil penetration.
04
The solution for staining your cedar deck as quickly as possible and avoiding graying: Sansin Dec
You can apply Sansin Dec to new cedar after only a 30-day wait. It is therefore an interesting option if you want to protect your deck quickly or if you are eager to give it its first tint.
Sansin Dec has a component that helps ensure the dimensional stability of the wood. In other words, the product helps limit warping, contraction, and cracks that can appear naturally over time and with variations in humidity. You will therefore minimize the aging of your wood if you apply it 30 days after the construction of your deck.
However, you should know that there is a compromise to be made. If you apply Sansin Dec after only 30 days, the finish may wear a little faster than if you wait 2 to 3 months before treating the cedar with the same product. If your goal is to maximize the duration of the finish, it is better to let the wood dry more before applying it.
With Sansin Dec, you therefore have two possibilities for treating your new cedar:
- Wait 30 days: even if it means having to refresh the finish with an additional coat the following year. In return, you protect your wood faster against warping and damage that can occur while it dries.
- Wait between 2 and 3 months before applying Sansin Dec to obtain a more durable finish. By waiting longer, you accept, however, that your cedar may slightly warp, crack, or start to turn gray.
Furthermore, Sansin Dec is a hybrid semi-transparent stain. Its main solvent is water, but it also contains resins based on natural oils that contribute to its resistance and adhesion. It is a very penetrating stain that adheres well to cedar.
Sansin Dec also stands out for its ability to be applied to relatively damp wood. While many other semi-transparent finishing products tolerate a wood moisture content of about 10 to 15%, Sansin Dec can be applied to wood with a moisture content of up to 25%.
It is therefore important to be well aware of the recommended waiting times according to the condition of your deck and the product you plan to use. In this type of project, it is sometimes better to be patient than to have to redo a finish that peels prematurely.
Start your project now!
You’ll find all the products you need directly on our website.
- Start by measuring the dimensions of your deck to calculate the quantities you need.
- Sansin Dec covers 150 sq. ft. (2 coats) per gallon.
- Alis oil covers between 125 and 250 sq. ft. (2 coats) per 2.5 L container.
- STEINA solid stain covers between 100 and 175 sq. ft. (2 coats) per gallon.
- Choose the product that best suits the look and resistance you are looking for.
- Place your order online and choose between in-store pickup and home delivery.
Want to learn more about exterior stain? Consult the section of our blog dedicated to this subject!
Products found in this article.
Sansin DEC – Wood Deck Stain
Alis Exterior Wood Protection Oil by Livos
STEINA solid stain
Q&A
Q. How can I be sure that my cedar is dry enough to receive the finish?
Even if the manufacturer’s recommended delay has passed, the actual moisture content of the wood can vary depending on the weather and the conditions to which the deck has been exposed. A moisture meter allows you to directly check the wood’s moisture before application. This is particularly useful after a period of rain or when the deck has been recently installed.
Q. Can I treat my deck just a few days after installing it if it seems completely dry?
The appearance of the wood is not enough to determine if it is ready to receive a finish. New cedar naturally contains oils and can also be very damp inside. The waiting time therefore depends mainly on the chosen product and its requirements, and not solely on the fact that the wood feels dry to the touch.
Q. What should I do if my cedar is already starting to turn gray during the waiting time?
Slight graying can appear quickly on cedar exposed to UV rays and bad weather. This does not necessarily mean that the wood is damaged or that it is too late to treat it. Depending on the condition of the wood and the chosen finish, cleaning or additional preparation may however be necessary before applying the product.
Q. What should I do if my new cedar becomes stained or dirty before I can treat it?
It is better not to apply the finish directly over dirt, stains, or contaminants accumulated during the waiting period. Proper cleaning is necessary to return the wood to good condition before treatment.
Q. Does waiting longer guarantee better durability of the finish?
Not necessarily. Waiting longer is not automatically synonymous with a better result. The right time depends on the product used, the moisture content of the wood, and its condition at the time of application. Waiting unnecessarily can even expose the cedar longer to UV rays and bad weather. The goal is therefore to respect the recommended conditions for the chosen finish, rather than waiting as long as possible.
Q. Do I need to treat all sides of the cedar boards?
Not necessarily. For a deck that is already assembled, the essential thing is to adequately protect the surfaces exposed to the elements. However, if you treat the boards before their installation, the way to apply the product may be different. In this case, check the manufacturer’s recommendations to know which surfaces must be treated and how to proceed.
