Hermanson Exterior FAQ

Any time in the spring, summer or fall when the temperature is at least 50 degrees.

That depends on the surrounding conditions. Decks in direct sunlight tend to fade and dry out; decks in humid and shady areas grow algae and fungus spores.

Depending on your deck's exposure to direct sunlight and precipitation elements, we recommend restaining every 2-3 years. Certain decks may require yearly maintenance. 

Clear sealants are mainly water repellants that don't carry UV light protection. They have no trans-oxide pigments in their formula that filter out damaging sunlight. Colored stains carry all the benefits of deck protection, including a UV light inhibitor. (General rule: the more color, the more pigment, the more UV protection.)

Some products bead lots of water for a short period of time because they have a lot of paraffin and carnauba wax in them. However, many of the best-selling products have little or no wax in them, so they don't bead. They sheath the water instead. (Beading water is just a chemical property of water on wax. It has no effect on the preservation qualities of the product.

Not when it is professionally done. Proper training and knowledge are a must when restoring a wood deck. When done professionally, a very small amount of dried-out dead fiber is removed, thus improving the quality of the wood. Lots of homeowners rent a machine and think it's that easy. Beware! The damages and cuts into your deck which result from improper usage of a pressure washer may become permanent scars, and board replacement will become necessary. 

Every deck will hold a color in its own unique way due to the porosity of the lumber you have. It also reflects the lightness or darkness of the specific kind of lumber. The sample swatches are just a reference, and may, in themselves, have variations because of printing inks.

Over-applying deck products can cause harmful effects. Stain that is applied too liberally may not dry evenly and lead to flashing (shiny dark areas.) All products are applied in different methods, but most are done with one full coat.

It is not necessary.

Most of them do, depending on the duration of time left on the deck.

When you're trying to hide and conceal any cosmetic imperfections that the lumber may have.

Clear sealants let the deck naturally turn gray. There are no colors or pigments in these formula to prevent graying!

A general 24-48 hours, depending on humidity.