Finishing your redwood building project with a stain or water repellant is an important step that helps preserve the beauty and durability of the wood. Redwood is naturally decay and insect resistant, as well as dimensionally stable, so it is less likely to shrink, warp or split than other building materials. It also takes and holds stains better than other products, so combining that with a little attention to finishing detail, you’ll be set for easy maintenance, and carefree backyard living for many years to come!
If you use kiln-dried Mendocino Redwood, your new fence, deck, or garden structure is ready for finishing upon completion. If not, allow the wood to air dry for one month before applying a finish. You can use this waiting period to go over the finishing options and decide which one best suits your needs:
- Clear water repellant with mildewcide allows the natural color to shine through while providing protection from weathering. It should be re-applied every 12-18 months.
- Bleaching or weathering stain provides a gray-toned finish for a naturally weathered appearance and has the added bonus of being nearly maintenance free
- Semi-transparent stains penetrate and provide color while allowing the natural grain of the wood to show through. It may be necessary to refinish this stain every 3-5 years.
- Solid color stains give the wood a rich color but tend to obscure the grain of the wood. Refinishing every 3-5 years is recommended.
- Paints provide long-lasting color but obscure the texture, grain and natural beauty of redwood. Re-application is generally necessary in 7-10 years.
Whatever option you select, be sure to consult our finishing tips page for some important guidelines on the how-to of keeping your new Mendocino Redwood project naturally strong and beautiful.
