The first thing that goes into refinishing a deck is evaluating the condition of the wood. Some wood may be beyond repair and will need to be replaced. Wood with cracks, splinters and holes will probably be pulled up and replaced. Snowy days in Denver leave plenty of dirt residue. Denver deck refinishing will require a power washing of the wood to get it clean. Make sure that whoever you hire knows how to properly operate a power washer. You don’t want to find paint or siding torn from your home or etching in the wood because someone didn’t operate a power washer properly. Any existing stain will be stripped from the wood also. At this point your wood will need to dry out. You can’t apply stain to wet wood. Denver deck refinishing is not a short process, but it is worth it. Once the wood deck is clean and dry the rest of the process can be completed.
Sanding will further remove imperfections and give the wood a smooth feel and softer appearance. Sanding removes any splinters, dirt or stain that was not removed during power washing. While you are receiving your deck refinishing in Denver, ask your technician if he will be putting down grit on top of the wet stain. Grit gives the stain a texture and will prevent it from being slippery when it gets wet. After sanding this is the time any repairs should be made. Loose nails can be taken out and replaced with deck screws. The deck should be blown off with a shop-vac before any stain is applied. Ask the technician how many coats of stain he will apply. Two coats are preferable for appearance and to lengthen the life of the wood. A seal can be applied on top of the stain to help lock in the color and prolong the life of the wood as well.
When you own an outdoor entertainment area, like a deck, you want to protect it from all the elements. You want your deck to last for many years and look great. To keep your deck looking great and lasting through all the seasons of the year, you need to know how deck refinishing and staining works.
We all want to enjoy the spring and summer months on our deck with family and friends, but grey wood, mold and dirt can get in the way. Of course, if you hire a professional company to clean, stain or completely refinish your deck you will be ready to entertain and have fun all summer long. This is the time of year to take care of your deck and make sure it’s ready for fun.
1. Look for a Portfolio
Occasionally, all the best companies receive letters praising their work. Most companies love to show these off on their website, in their office or included within their portfolio. You want to find a company with great testimonials from past customers and you should always ask if they have any they can share with you.
Since the internet allows customers to review different companies, you may be able to find actual reviews online about the work they do. Not all companies will be features online, but it is always good to check and see if the deck refinishing company you are considering has been reviewed online. If so, you will get a sense of whether other deck owners like their work or not.
Many of the historic homes in Denver were built prior to or just after the turn of the 20th Century, so preserving them to their original glory takes a little extra TLC. Here are the final two signs that now may be the time to restore the exterior of your home.
Just like with any house, you want to maintain the protective coating on your home so it remains weather-tight. Historic homes don’t have the benefit of modern-day exterior finishes, such as vinyl or fiber-cement siding or stucco. The exterior was constructed out of wood or brick, and although these materials are durable, rain, wind, snow and even UV rays from the sun can weaken and deteriorate them. Once the seal of your home is cracked, moisture and insects can get inside the walls causing further damage – that usually goes unnoticed until a major repair is needed.
Furthermore, preparation on these homes is a delicate process. Steps are being taken to preserve the original pieces (where we can) and duplicating pieces that can’t be saved. This work is very much a hands-on approach so that the details can be saved so that your home may remain “true” to the time period in which it was built.
Many options will allow you to return the exterior of your home to its original glory. Vinyl siding can be torn down and the original wooden siding can be restored, and even the paint on brick homes can be removed through a specialized process. Everyone has a different budget, wants, needs and vision for their home, but it is your contractor’s job to make it right – to your specifications.
Historic homes built in Denver in the late 1800s through the 1940s have a unique set of challenges when it comes to maintaining the exterior. Homes built during this time were constructed much differently than they are today – from roofline to the foundation (and everything in between) – which gives older homes “character” that is often absent in new construction.
#1: Paint is peeling.
#2: The color needs correcting.
If you decide you want to restore or refinish your deck, but you don’t want to do it yourself, then you may want to understand what deck restoration in Denver will include. Hiring a company to take care of this project for you will ensure professional completion in a timely manner. You won’t need to worry about anything with a licensed contractor capable of completing your restoration or refinishing project.
Your deck will need to dry out for a little while at this point and the contractor may leave, but they will come back to defelt your deck and give it a smooth finish. They will also finish the project by sanding the handrails, making any necessary repairs, detailing the wood and applying a professional grade premium stain to keep your deck looking immaculate for many years to come. All of these are necessary steps to bring your old deck back to life and make it look new again.
The best companies for Denver deck restoration are capable of matching the wood with your current wood and when they finish the job, the deck will look amazing. You don’t want one board darker than another or even made from a different type of wood unless it matches perfectly. When a restoration company finishes there should be no signs of restoration at all and the deck should look nearly brand new.