The Best Time Of Year To Stain Your Wood Deck (& Why The Timing Matters)

Once you have finally checked off that deck project that's been on your to-do list, you'll want to finish it off with a coat of stain to improve its appearance and protect the surface. Not all times of year are good for staining, though. The temperature, weather, and humidity can affect your wood deck and the stain you use for it. Some seasons provide better assurance that you will have the right conditions for a stain to dry uniformly.

Regardless of which region you live in, spring is the best time to stain a wood deck, with fall coming in at a close second. Since temperatures are milder this time of year and most stains have an application temperature window of 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, spring is ideal for this process. While you may be thinking about which deck stain color you should choose, you should also consider the factors that will affect stain absorption. For the best results, concentrate on the unique needs of your wood planking and plan around environmental conditions rather than a precise calendar date.

Once your deck project has been constructed, you may think you can start staining it right away. This would be a mistake as the type of wood you chose for your deck will determine how long you should wait to stain it. Most decks are constructed from pressure-treated wood, kiln-dried lumber, or green lumber. Pressure-treated wood is resistance to mold and pests, making it a great decking material. But it also requires a long drying time prior to the first stain application. Depending on the humidity of your region, the drying period can take anywhere from three to six months to ensure that the lumber has released its internal moisture. Once the pressure-treated wood has dried, you can finally begin the staining process.

Since much of the moisture in kiln-dried lumber is sapped during its drying process in a kiln, it does not need to acclimate as long as pressure-treated wood.  However, to ensure the stain adheres well, give the wood a few weeks to adapt to the environment. Green lumber is fresh wood, so it will still be quite moist when it is installed. For optimum absorption, wait six months to a year before staining to allow the wood to fully dry. Some opt to use hem-fir wood as a decking material, and though this wood is affordable, it comes with major downsides. Consider drying times when planning your deck build to give yourself a good window for staining in the spring.

Even though spring is the ideal season to stain your deck, there are additional factors that should be considered before beginning your project. Weather is the most pertinent — and changeable — factor when it comes to staining, so do not break out the brushes when storms are on the horizon. If the stain isn't cured by the time the rain rolls through, the water can cause the stain to become blotchy as it dries. It would be best to wait until mid or late spring to start staining to avoid those showers.

During the spring months, a lovely dew collects on your grass and your deck in the morning, so you will want to wait a few hours after the sun has risen to begin staining. This will ensure that the wood is dry and ready for its application. Another bonus of staining during this time of year is that the days are cooler, so you do not have to worry about being burned to a crisp. You will also want to make sure your deck is clean before and after staining.