when it just has to be clean..
Shadows on transparent materials are magical. It is the reason why it’s important to stay transparent(pun) and not make or be persuaded into a decision to do otherwise. If you begin the deck journey with a solid stain, or even a low end semi-transparent, you’re going to be sorry. *Just a note about picture on right. The three boards on left side of picture are clean, but do not contain any stain.
The curing process…
A very common initial conversation that takes place between myself and the potential client is a conversation regarding terminology. Terminology regarding “care” for outdoor wood. That would be shingles, siding, arbors, fences, decks, and the like. We typically differentiate between what it means to seal a deck vs. to stain a deck. We talk about sanding a deck vs. preparing a deck.
If you have questions regarding outdoor wood maintenance in and around your home, don’t hesitate to give us a call. One mistake is likely to cost you. If you get persuaded into using a cheap sealant or perhaps a solid stain, when in fact you were after a natural transparent stain, it could be a mistake that lasts a long, long time.
15+ years experience doing business in Santa Cruz
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It Wasn’t Us!!
These decks shown here in Ben Lomond CA were in serious need. Because it had been ten years since the last bit of maintenance, thankfully a solid stain had been used the last time. The color tone was a flaky pinkish-auburn, and it wasn’t pretty. After the deck was prepared for stain, it was determined that the both decks would easily absorb a fresh coat of transparent material. Transparent material demands a bit more attention and maintenance, and the client bought in after half the results were in. This is a mid morning photo from mid July. We used a high end water based product called Extreme. You be the judge!
Since 2001. Santa Cruz County Deck Maintenance serving all surrounding mountain towns including Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Bonny Doon.
So the third board up from the bottom here, the board above the electric outlets, has just received a “maintenance coat” in the form of a swatch. The swatch is to determine tone for second homeowner that was not present at the time. I sent this picture and he gave me the thumbs up to proceed. This tone swatch is behind a hot tub on a very nice cedar privacy wall. I assured the client that after this application, it would be five years before he could consider another round. It’s called getting ahead of the Jones’s.
Beautiful hard wood deck in Felton California
This was a complete home and garage makeover. Because of the extreme temperatures that Lake Tahoe affords all the wood-sided homes in the area, we applied a genuine double coat of Extreme: A water based semi-transparent stain by the Defy Company. To get the transparent green, we mixed three parts XYZ and then two parts TNT and then one final part ABC We can’t give away our secrets.
Truckee California
Often times, if not every time, I get asked what color is the wood board, or shingle going to be once it is washed and stained. The answer varies. Every board is different. Every deck is different. Every circumstance is different.
Here is a random example of a wood deck in Aptos California. The boards on the left side of the picture are cleaned and still wet. The boards on the right are stained with a mixture of natural brown tones. Tones are almost impossible to describe. Beading water isn’t.
This picture makes things out pretty orange. It’s really not the case. Well maybe it is a little bit. The clients love it which is the only preference that matters. But consider the fact that the sun is directly on the siding, and there is reflective light and glare from the railings and the windows. Color-tone aside, it’s very well protected, and it really isn’t that orange. This beach home is in Capitola, CA That cedar siding is almost 20 years old. Maintenance is Key!
A composite organism made up of a fungus, usually an ascomycete, that grows symbiotically with an alga or a cyanobacterium and characteristically forms a crust-like or branching growth on rocks, tree trunks, and sturdy wood benches on unused tennis courts.
This is good pic for the tone-explanation end of things. Lower right is clean, wet wood. Upper right is clean, dry wood. Upper left is stained, dry wood. Lower left is stained, wet wood. You can’t dream this up!!
What about the retaining wall colors? Wow! Ask us How..
Here are some in progress pictures of a recent deck refinishing job in the Prospect Heights area of Santa Cruz. I find it helpful to show different stages of the project, different times of day, drying times etc..
Fifteen year old deck give or take. We were told five years since the last bit of maintenance. Dangerously slippery when wet. Awfully mustardy in color we all agreed. Deck gets medium to good amount of sun.
Cleaning Santa Cruz for Wood Deck Maintenance
Santa Cruz Deck Maintenance and Shingle Staining & Sealing
South Bay Area, San Francisco, Los Gatos, Lake Tahoe
Shingle Maintenance, Deck Staining
Since 2001
This is a detached carport roof in the Soquel Hills. Don’t let this happen to you!
