How to Be Environmentally-Friendly With Green Deck Spray
A deck built from natural wood provides a rich connection with nature. Not only do you get to enjoy the fresh air and outdoor views from your wooden deck, but the wood itself comes from natural sources. Of course, wood naturally decomposes over time, which is the last thing you want for your deck. As such, it makes perfect sense to protect your deck’s surfaces with high-quality stain or paint. Unfortunately, many of these coatings contain chemicals that aren’t so good for you or your surroundings. So, how can you preserve your wooden deck without disrupting nature in this negative way?
Eco-friendly deck stains offer protection without toxicity. Let’s explore how green deck spray stain products can reduce your negative environmental impact while still protecting your deck from environmental threats.
Benefits of Eco-Friendly Deck Stain Products
The Toxic Side of Deck Stain
First, it helps to know the potential downsides of applying standard stain to your deck. While all formulations are somewhat different, most traditional stains contain significant levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Organic solvents, which include alcohols, ketones, petroleum distillates, glycol ethers, and turpentine, help the stain retain its liquidity during application – they can also kill plants and insects and release harmful odors into the air as they dry and after the fact. These potential problems are exacerbated when you decide to spray deck stain rather than roll or brush it onto surfaces since these far-flung particulates can more easily enter one’s lungs and land on nearby features. Fortunately, paints and stains that contain significant VOCs are less harmful when applied outdoors, since the fumes aren’t trapped in a closed environment. Still, when released into the wider environment, these gases gradually harm local ecosystems.
Exploring Eco-Friendly Deck Stain Alternatives
The good news is that not all deck stains are created equal. If you take the time to look into various products, you can find options that contain low VOC levels or none at all. Likewise, you’ll come across “green” deck stains that are intentionally designed with environmental preservation in mind. These eco-friendly stains are composed of naturally-derived ingredients that don’t disrupt ecosystems and still protect your deck from degradation. The Mountain XT Stain Base by Earthpaint, for instance, uses resins made from cashews. The natural properties inherent in this resin prevent mold, mildew, and algae growth. Plus, like any other stain worth its salt, Mountain XT stain fully penetrates and saturates the deck’s wooden components. Earth paint also offers their Rainforest deck sealer, which contains 99.1% natural, 96% renewable, 92% regionally derived, 17% recycled, and 88% solids content. Both options are easy to clean and maintain.
Which Deck Stain Is Right for You?
There are plenty of deck stain products on the market – so many, in fact, that choosing the best deck stain can be overwhelming. The key to finding the right stain for you is understanding your goals, needs, budget, and values. If you’re environmentally conscious, you’ll want to look for low-VOC, zero-VOC, and “green” deck stains. If you’re more concerned with longevity, tint options, and convenience, you might go for a more traditional deck stain sprayer option instead. Fortunately, there are enough stain types available for virtually every type of person and deck. At Anderson Painting, we want to help our Raleigh, NC clients find the optimal staining solutions for their decks so they can fully enjoy their outdoor spaces all season long.
To learn more about us and all we do, call today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
