A fence is one of the first things one notices about a house. A wooden fence adds a lot of character to any house. It is a symbol of ownership and class. Similarly a wood deck adds a touch of class to any house. Many old houses feature fences and decks constructed of wood. Exposure to sunlight and moisture has a destructive effect on these structures. The worn out look is very noticeable and downgrades the value of the property.
The good news is that it is very easy to restore a wood deck or a fence to its former glory. The process is very simple but requires a lot of elbow grease. The following process can be used to repair and renovate your wood deck or fence.
Before doing anything else, clean the wood deck or fence thoroughly. Use a pressure washer to strip away the grime and accumulated dust. Use a hard scrub brush to finish the process.
If your wood deck or fence is made of uncoated wood, a wood cleaner should be used to clean the upper surface away so that the fresh surface can emerge. In case of a resin or varnish coating, a careful stripping is required. This step ensures that a clean surface is available for staining and protective coating.
If there is extensive damage, it is always better to replace the whole section. For a fence, just pull out the damaged planks and replace them. For a wood deck, remove the damaged section with care. Add a piece of correct length and nail it properly. Some sanding may be required to level the new sections with the entire surface.
Start with a base layer of wood sealer. This is a water repellent product designed to protect the wood from water related damage like wraps, bends and eventually rot and decay. Care should be taken to completely cover the entire exposed area of the structure including the sides and the inner planes. Allow the layer to dry.
For that classic wooden finish, use a cedar stain. Go for a darker shade as with the passage of time, the color will lighten. A darker shade fades to a graceful lighter tone while an already light shade will become discolored and patchy.
Use a natural bristle paint brush to apply the stain. Always start from one end and work your way across or around as may be the case. Start from the top of the plank and coat it completely before moving on to the next one. For wood deck, make sure that all the pieces get an even layer. One of the most annoying things is the drips. If you notice stain dripping, paint it over so that there is no telltale mark on the surface. Allow the stain to dry out completely. If you wish to have a more durable or darker color, try a second coat but make sure that it is not too thick.
This simple process will revitalize your fence or wood deck. All materials and equipment can be bought or rented from the local hardware store.
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