QUESTION: I have always used TWP to preserve my deck. It is cedar. Because I now have dogs that lay on the deck, I don't want to use it. The deck is about 15 x 6, is about 7 years old and cedar. I will be sanding it. I am located in Michigan and the deck faces the south so it gets strong sun in the summer and lots of snow in the winter. The dogs lay on the deck for a few hours a day. What do you recommend.
RESPONSE:
Our finishes are based on resin and mineral density rather than chemicals preservatives. So it is a different principle than TWP preservatives. Over the years it has become apparent that inorganic minerals and naturally mold / insect resistant materials tend to be more reliable. We see a big difference especially after about 18 months, when many preservative chemicals are broken down by the sun and weather. Inorganic minerals are impervious to uv degradation. Cashew resin is naturally strong against mold / sun and water.
A cedar deck in Michigan will need to be cleaned with Lime Clean. This will open the pores and make it so the wood fiber cell can absorb nourishment. I would use Mountain XT - Tint Base, probably in a light color since the dogs will by laying on the deck. Certain pigments absorb more infra red radiation and convert visible light to heat. We make some colors that don't absorb as much IR / heat. Dogs like a warm deck, not a hot deck.
So, a light colored deck is a one option. Light tones similar to cedar are Light Cedar, Brown Cedar, Brown Cinnamon and Cinnamon Stick. Of these I would choose one of the cinnamons as the balance between uv / ir protetection and long term durability.
This is a one coat deck stain option. If the Lime Clean is used, the wood cell is saturated with cashew resin and minerals. Then it gets washed and a diluted coat can be applied years down the road, as needed. No more stripping. This will boslter the wood cell and create a sort of petrification effect as it's maintained. Each bolstering coat strengthening the previous. This is increases time between maintenance coats and is fairly easy to do.
The Clear 00 System is another option. This is a multi step process that gets proper prep done at the outset and then is maintained by rolling a clear coat on the horizontal surfaces (floor, top rail). This uses a cashew resin top coat which has natural uv filters and reflect infra red and visible light out to space, rather than absorbing the heat. So it is a cooler, easy to maintain system that is more work to start but then is easier in the long run. It looks fantastic on cedar, especially if the first coat is done in a clear. However, for what you have going on, with the dogs, it may be best to lighten the cedar with a stain in the case as well. This is because the cedar itself has a tendency to convert light from the sun into heat as well.
In Michigan, because of ice and snow, some people will broadcast fine sand over the deck after the maintenance coat is rolled with Mountain XT Clear 00. This reduces slip but also makes it so the shovel slides above the wood when snow is being shoveled.
I'm not sure what color scheme is called for here. If you let me know what you are looking for I can suggest a sample pint to try while the deck is being prepped.
Best wishes,
Tom
RESPONSE:
Our finishes are based on resin and mineral density rather than chemicals preservatives. So it is a different principle than TWP preservatives. Over the years it has become apparent that inorganic minerals and naturally mold / insect resistant materials tend to be more reliable. We see a big difference especially after about 18 months, when many preservative chemicals are broken down by the sun and weather. Inorganic minerals are impervious to uv degradation. Cashew resin is naturally strong against mold / sun and water.
A cedar deck in Michigan will need to be cleaned with Lime Clean. This will open the pores and make it so the wood fiber cell can absorb nourishment. I would use Mountain XT - Tint Base, probably in a light color since the dogs will by laying on the deck. Certain pigments absorb more infra red radiation and convert visible light to heat. We make some colors that don't absorb as much IR / heat. Dogs like a warm deck, not a hot deck.
So, a light colored deck is a one option. Light tones similar to cedar are Light Cedar, Brown Cedar, Brown Cinnamon and Cinnamon Stick. Of these I would choose one of the cinnamons as the balance between uv / ir protetection and long term durability.
This is a one coat deck stain option. If the Lime Clean is used, the wood cell is saturated with cashew resin and minerals. Then it gets washed and a diluted coat can be applied years down the road, as needed. No more stripping. This will boslter the wood cell and create a sort of petrification effect as it's maintained. Each bolstering coat strengthening the previous. This is increases time between maintenance coats and is fairly easy to do.
The Clear 00 System is another option. This is a multi step process that gets proper prep done at the outset and then is maintained by rolling a clear coat on the horizontal surfaces (floor, top rail). This uses a cashew resin top coat which has natural uv filters and reflect infra red and visible light out to space, rather than absorbing the heat. So it is a cooler, easy to maintain system that is more work to start but then is easier in the long run. It looks fantastic on cedar, especially if the first coat is done in a clear. However, for what you have going on, with the dogs, it may be best to lighten the cedar with a stain in the case as well. This is because the cedar itself has a tendency to convert light from the sun into heat as well.
In Michigan, because of ice and snow, some people will broadcast fine sand over the deck after the maintenance coat is rolled with Mountain XT Clear 00. This reduces slip but also makes it so the shovel slides above the wood when snow is being shoveled.
I'm not sure what color scheme is called for here. If you let me know what you are looking for I can suggest a sample pint to try while the deck is being prepped.
Best wishes,
Tom
