How to Create a Homey Aesthetic with Cedar Deck Stain
Cedarwood is one of the most commonly used materials for decking. This wood is selected for its durability, relative affordability, eco-friendliness, and aesthetics. Despite these pros, however, cedarwood still requires proper maintenance to remain sturdy and beautiful over the years. You might enjoy the natural look of your bare, unstained cedar deck, but staining (or sealing at the very least) is necessary for keeping your deck around for a long time to come. And if you plan on staining your cedar deck, you’ll want to go with a product that enhances its appearance as well as the appeal of your property as a whole.
With that in mind, let’s explore how to create a homey aesthetic with cedar deck stain or sealer.
Ways to Create a Homey Aesthetic with Cedar Deck Stain or Sealer
Keep It Clear
As noted above, cedarwood is beautiful in its bare, natural state. Depending on your location and personal preferences, the wavy wood grain and dark knots inherent in this wood offer a homey aesthetic on their own – tinting it with deck stain might actually take away from the look you’re going for. If so, you’ll want to opt for a transparent stain, more commonly referred to as a deck sealer. Generally speaking, sealers don’t offer quite as much protection as darker, thicker stains, but they still shield the wood’s pores from moisture, abrasion, pests, and other threats. When properly applied, a sealing product will provide your wood deck with a little bit of shine and slightly darken its tone. Over time, however, this gloss and minor color shift will fade, signaling the need for resealing.
Go Dark and Rich
The term “homey” means something slightly different to everyone. The light, natural look of cedar is homey to some, but others feel more comfortable surrounded by darker, richer tones. If you fall into this latter category, the best deck stain for your cedar deck is one that transforms that natural beige/yellowish tone into a roasted coffee-like brown. You’ll need a deeply-pigmented, thicker deck stain for these purposes, so going this route may cost you more overall. On the plus side, however, darker stains are more protective than their lighter, less opaque counterparts. By going with a rich brown stain for your cedar deck, then, you both enhance its appearance and prolong its lifespan in one fell swoop.
Add a Little Red for Warmth
Various shades of brown and beige work just fine for any wooden deck, but sometimes your home’s exterior needs a splash of color to feel truly welcoming. Deck stain colors aren’t as potent or varied as paint colors, but you can still choose from shades of green, grey, yellow, white, and red. A little bit of red can go a long way toward achieving a more homey aesthetic for your cedar deck, too. This subtle red shift creates a delicate contrast with nearby green spaces and also works well against most home siding colors. Go with a semi-transparent reddish stain to keep showing off your deck’s grain, or choose a more saturated stain to make a bolder statement, conceal imperfections, and give your deck some additional environmental protection.
Keep It Cozy with Homey Cedar Deck Staining
It doesn’t take much to make a cedar deck homey, but the right stain will only seal the deal. Deck season is well underway in Raleigh, NC – let the experts at Anderson Painting protect and enhance your deck so you can get the most out of it this year and beyond. To learn more about us and all we do, call today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
