What's the best way to finish a deck?

[MrBond]

Last summer, I helped my Dad rebuild the deck on my parents house. We used AC3 treated lumber. We bought a gallon of Flood's new deck protectant and used that, but it's time for something more long term.

I read somewhere that Epoxy resin deck sealer is supposed to be the best, but google searching brings up no brands. Thompsons Water Seal is generally regarded as crap, so I'm looking for some suggestions for a good, long lasting, sealer that will keep the deck looking great

 

[Ornery]

I'm still trying to figure out why people insist on "treating" treated lumber. Looking for ways to keep busy, or what? 😕

I leave it to weather naturally. Turns a nice silver, which is fine with me. No muss, no fuss, and it's still warranted for 30+ years.

 

[MrBond]

The reason we replaced the old decking was because even though it was treated and warrantied, it was still drying out and splitting and looked like hell. The new deck looks great, what I'd really like to avoid is the wood drying out and splitting so the surface stays relativly smooth.

I remember putting something on the deck once or twice when I was growing up, but Dad hadn't applied anything in probably 15 years before we removed it. I just want to use something that will maintain the current appearance of the deck as much as possible.

 

[Ornery]

That's the nature of decks, they're rustic by nature. Maybe a patio would have made a better replacement. I wish they'd come back into fashion. This deck fad has gotten out of hand.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: Ornery
That's the nature of decks, they're rustic by nature. Maybe a patio would have made a better replacement. I wish they'd come back into fashion. This deck fad has gotten out of hand.

They have a covered patio too. The deck spans half the house, there's a set of stairs leading down to a patio that spans the rest of the back of the house.

 

[PHiuR]

how often do you need to recoat a deck?

 

[Squisher]

http://masterhandyman.com/columndetails.cfm?pubdate=20040710


Another good link <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.opwdecks.com/deckmaintain.htm">http://www.opwdecks.com/deckmaintain.htm</a>



From Consumer reports:

1 Cabot Decking Stain 1480 $24 opaque ? ? ?
2 Cabot Solid Color 1880 29 opaque ? ? ? ?
3 Wolman DuraStain 18146 25 semi. ? ?
4 Benjamin Moore Moorwood 065 30 opaque ? ? ?
5 Akzo Nobel Sikkens Cetol SRD 1708902 27 semi.
6 Behr Deck Plus 200 line 21 opaque ? ? ?
7 McCloskey Man O'War 7953 16 opaque ? ?
8 Olympic WaterGuard 55560 12 clear
9 Benjamin Moore Moorwood Alykd 099 30 semi.
10 True Value Woodsman UV 738872 16 semi.
11 Pratt & Lambert StainShield Oil S1697 20 semi. ?
12 Wolman RainCoat Tinted Water Repellent 12346 17 semi. ?
13 Olympic Solid Color 53060 21 opaque ?
14 McCloskey Multi Use 15 opaque ?

APPEARANCE DETERIORATED Testing ended.

15 Glidden Endurance Deck Sealer EN 2490 $21 clear
16 Olympic Water Repellent 53106 20 semi. ? ?
17 Benjamin Moore Moorwood C070 29 semi. ? ?
18 Amteco TWP 101 28 semi. ?
19 McCloskey Man O'War 7961 15 semi. ?
20 Benjamin Moore Moorwood 076 33 clear
21 Wolman RainCoat Clear Water Repellent 12366 16 clear
22 McCloskey Man O'War 7941

EDIT: I don't think consumer reports did any testing on epoxy stains. I think I'll be using DEFY.

 

[MrBond]

Thank's Squisher - thats what I was looking for. My Mom gets Consumer's Reports, do you know offhand what issue they reviewed deck finishes in?

That Defy epoxy fortified finish looks like just the thing, not too expensive either.