Deck, Fence and Cedar Staining in East Texas Weather

Wood outdoors in East Texas deals with strong sun, heavy humidity and the occasional stretch of rain that doesn't quit. A deck, fence or cedar porch ceiling left bare will gray, check and eventually start to break down. A good stain is how you slow that.

Lomax's Custom Painting handles deck staining and restoration, fence staining and protection, cedar siding, exposed beams, ceilings and other wood features. Here's how to think about it before you call.

Stain and paint are different things

Lomax's FAQ explains it simply: stain penetrates the wood fibers and lets the natural grain show, while paint creates a surface coating. Both have a place. For a deck, a fence or a visible cedar feature, many people want the grain to stay visible, which points toward stain.

On their staining page, Lomax's says deck staining protects against UV damage, moisture penetration and daily wear while bringing out the wood's natural grain and color. That is the whole job in one sentence: protect the wood, and let it look like wood.

Clear sealer or semi-solid stain

Lomax's mentions two common choices: a clear sealer for a natural look, or a semi-solid stain for more coverage. As general practice, the tradeoff is straightforward.

• Clear sealer shows the most natural wood, but gives less color and generally needs refreshing sooner on sun-exposed surfaces.
• Semi-solid stain adds visible color and hides uneven weathering, while still letting some grain come through.
• Boards in good shape can carry a lighter finish. Older or patchy boards usually look better with more coverage.

Ask which look and which upkeep schedule fits your situation. Neither is wrong. They suit different decks and different tolerance for repeat maintenance.

Cedar deserves its own plan

Cedar is popular in East Texas for porches, pavilions, ceilings and siding, and Lomax's lists cedar siding, exposed beams, ceiling areas and custom wood features in its staining work. Cedar contains natural oils that help it resist weather, but sun still grays it, and general practice is to protect it rather than leave it bare.

Ceilings need a little extra thought. A stained plank or cedar ceiling is a large visible surface, and it frames the whole room or porch. Lomax's photo gallery includes a stained cedar pavilion ceiling and a stained plank ceiling over a stone fireplace, which show what a careful finish looks like overhead.

Pick the right season

Lomax's says deck staining works best during moderate weather, typically spring and fall in East Texas. They suggest avoiding hot summer days or any time rain is expected within 48 hours. Notice that 48 is longer than the 24 hours they use for exterior paint, because stain needs time to soak in and set.

In general practice, wood also needs to be dry before it gets stained. After a wet week, give it time. If you live near Lake Palestine, Lake Tyler or Cedar Creek Reservoir, where humidity tends to hang around, that patience pays off.

When the old finish has to come off

Not every deck can simply be re-stained. As general trade practice, if the existing finish is peeling, flaking or sitting like a film on the surface, it will keep failing if you put new stain over it. Those boards usually need stripping or heavy sanding first. A deck with a fading but intact stain is usually an easier candidate for cleaning and a fresh coat.

• Peeling or flaking: usually means the old coating has to be removed first.
• Gray, dry boards that soak up water: often ready for cleaning and a fresh finish.
• Black spots or mildew: the surface needs to be cleaned before anything else goes on.
• Loose, rotted or split boards: repair or replace these before staining.

A walkthrough settles this faster than guessing. Lomax's looks at the wood in person, then writes up what it needs.

Expect maintenance down the road. No outdoor finish lasts forever in direct sun, and a deck that gets full afternoon exposure will usually need attention sooner than one under a roof. Ask the crew what refresh schedule makes sense for your particular boards and exposure, rather than relying on a number from the can.

Fences and the smaller stuff

Fences get less attention than decks but face the same weather. Lomax's lists fence staining and protection as its own service. If you have a privacy fence in Tyler or acreage fencing around Elkhart, a single protective coat can stretch the life of the boards.

For deck, fence or cedar work in Palestine, Tyler or nearby, call Lomax's Custom Painting at (903) 320-5032. You'll get a free estimate within 24 hours, and the crew will tell you honestly whether the wood needs stripping or just a fresh coat.